Security and Safety Officer

Overview

The Security and Safety Officer is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring Jhpiego Ethiopia's security and occupational safety arrangements. The position provides technical leadership and operational guidance to ensure that staff, visitors, offices, warehouses, vehicles, equipment, and program activities are adequately protected against security threats, safety hazards, emergencies, and other operational risks.

The Officer will lead security risk assessments, incident management, emergency preparedness, travel risk management, physical security, occupational health and safety coordination, and staff awareness initiatives. The position will work closely with country leadership, operations, human resources, programming teams, hub offices, relevant government authorities, partner institutions, and external security service providers. 

The role will ensure that security and safety measures are proportionate to identified risks, consistent with applicable laws and regulations, and aligned with Jhpiego's internal policies and procedures.

Reporting Structure:

• Position Reports To: Operation/Administration Manager
• Positions Supervised: None

Responsibilities

Security Risk Assessment and Management

• Conduct regular security risk assessments for the country office, field offices, warehouses, health facilities, project locations, staff accommodation where applicable, and official travel routes.
• Monitor the security environment and identify actual and emerging threats that may affect staff, assets, programming implementation, or organizational operations.
• Develop, review, and update the country security risk assessment, security management plan, and location-specific security procedures.
• Recommend appropriate risk mitigation measures based on the operating context and assessed threat levels.
• Provide timely security advice to senior management to support informed operational and programmatic decisions.
• Establish appropriate procedures for security alerts, movement restrictions, incident escalation, and changes in operating conditions.
• Coordinate with relevant security networks, peer organizations, humanitarian partners, and appropriate authorities to obtain reliable security information.

Staff Safety and Duty of Care

• Promote a strong organizational culture of safety, security awareness, preparedness, and individual responsibility.
• Ensure that staff understand applicable security procedures, emergency contacts, movement requirements, incident reporting processes, and personal safety precautions.
• Provide security briefings and orientation for new employees, visitors, consultants, and other personnel as appropriate.
• Advise management on staff safety concerns, exposure to security risks, and appropriate mitigation measures.
• Support the development and implementation of procedures for staff accountability during emergencies.
• Coordinate appropriate welfare and support arrangements following security incidents, in line with organizational policies.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive staff security information.

Office, Facility, and Physical Asset Security

• Assess and monitor the security of office premises, storage facilities, warehouses, and other organizational locations.
• Ensure that appropriate access controls, visitor management, key control, lighting, locks, alarms, CCTV systems where authorized, and other physical security measures are in place.
• Coordinate security guard services and monitor the performance of contracted security providers.
• Conduct periodic inspections to identify security vulnerabilities and recommend corrective measures.
• Work with Administration and Logistics to strengthen the safeguarding of computers, tablets, communication equipment, vehicles, medical supplies, and other organizational property.
• Support asset protection during office relocation, closure, handover, storage, and transfer activities.
• Investigate reported security-related losses, thefts, unauthorized access, and damage to organizational property in coordination with the relevant departments.
• Ensure that security incidents involving organizational assets are documented and reported in accordance with internal procedures.

Travel and Field Security Management

• Develop and oversee security procedures for official travel, field visits, inter-office movements, and activities in higher-risk locations.
• Conduct or coordinate route and destination risk assessments before field movements when warranted by the operating context.
• Establish appropriate journey management, check-in, communication, and staff accountability procedures.
• Provide timely security updates and travel advisories to staff and managers.
• Review travel plans and recommend additional precautions, alternative routes, postponement, or cancellation when assessed risks require such action.
• Ensure that field teams have access to appropriate emergency contacts, communications arrangements, and contingency plans.
• Coordinate security planning for workshops, trainings, conferences, community activities, and other events where security risks have been identified.

Occupational Health and Safety

• Coordinate the implementation of workplace health and safety measures in offices, storage facilities, and other Jhpiego-managed premises.
• Conduct or coordinate workplace safety inspections and hazard assessments.
• Identify risks related to fire, electrical systems, emergency exits, ergonomics, housekeeping, equipment storage, and other workplace conditions.
• Ensure that appropriate fire extinguishers, first-aid supplies, emergency signage, evacuation routes, and other required safety equipment are available and maintained.
• Coordinate fire drills, evacuation exercises, and other relevant safety preparedness activities.
• Promote safe driving, vehicle inspection, road safety awareness, and the reporting of vehicle accidents and near misses.
• Coordinate with Administration, Human Resources, landlords, and service providers to address identified workplace hazards.
• Support compliance with applicable occupational health and safety requirements and organizational standards.
• Maintain records of safety inspections, identify hazards, corrective actions, accidents, and training activities.

Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management

• Develop, maintain, and periodically test emergency response and business continuity arrangements in coordination with country leadership.
• Prepare contingency procedures for relevant scenarios, including civil unrest, security threats, fire, medical emergencies, natural disasters, major transport disruptions, and other foreseeable emergencies.
• Establish clear incident escalation, emergency notification, evacuation, relocation, and staff accountability procedures.
• Coordinate the establishment and functioning of an emergency response or crisis management team when required.
• Provide timely, factual updates to designated management representatives during significant incidents.
• Coordinate with appropriate emergency services, local authorities, partner organizations, and relevant internal teams when necessary.
• Organize simulation exercises and lessons-learned reviews to strengthen preparedness.
• Maintain updated emergency contact lists and ensure staff know how to access emergency support.
• Support the safe continuation, temporary suspension, relocation, or resumption of operations based on management decisions and assessed risks.
• Exercise delegated authority to recommend or initiate immediate precautionary measures, including temporary movement restrictions, when an imminent threat is identified, while promptly escalating decisions to designated management.

Incident Reporting, Investigation, and Follow-up

• Establish and maintain procedures for reporting security incidents, safety accidents, near misses, threats, theft, property loss, unauthorized access, and other relevant events.
• Ensure that incidents are documented promptly, accurately, and confidentially.
• Conduct or coordinate incident reviews and investigations within the Officer's delegated authority.
• Collect relevant evidence, statements, photographs, inventory records, and other documentation while preserving confidentiality and procedural fairness.
• Identify root causes, contributing factors, and gaps in existing security or safety controls.
• Recommend corrective and preventive actions and monitor their implementation.
• Escalate serious incidents, suspected criminal activity, safeguarding concerns, or significant organizational exposure through the appropriate reporting channels.
• Prepare incident summaries, trend analyses, and recommendations for management review.
• Coordinate with Human Resources, Finance, Operation/Administration, Legal, or other relevant functions when incidents involve staff conduct, financial losses, contractual matters, or organizational property.
• Document significant security recommendations and decisions, including the rationale for exceptional measures taken during urgent situations.

Security and Safety Training

• Develop and implement an annual security and safety awareness plan.
• Provide training on personal security, situational awareness, emergency response, fire safety, travel security, road safety, incident reporting, and other relevant topics.
• Conduct security briefings before field visits, deployments, or activities in locations with elevated risks.
• Ensure that training materials and procedures are appropriate to the Ethiopian operating context and available in relevant languages where necessary.
• Evaluate training effectiveness and identify additional capacity-building needs.
• Promote shared responsibility for risk prevention among staff, drivers, security guards, contractors, and other relevant personnel.

Compliance, Coordination, and Policy Implementation

• Ensure that country-level security and safety procedures are consistent with applicable Ethiopian laws and regulations and Jhpiego's approved policies.
• Coordinate with relevant internal departments to integrate security and safety considerations into operational planning, procurement, travel, events, and project implementation.
• Provide technical input into office leases, facility arrangements, security service contracts, and other relevant agreements.
• Coordinate with local authorities and relevant external organizations when necessary and authorized.
• Support the implementation of applicable donor requirements relating to personnel safety, asset protection, incident reporting, and operational risk management.
• Maintain appropriate documentation for inspections, risk assessments, training, incident reports, and corrective actions.
• Recommend updates to policies, standard operating procedures, and internal controls based on emerging risks and lessons learned.
• Maintain a record of significant security alerts and management actions to support informed decision-making and organizational learning.

Reporting and Management Support

• Prepare periodic security and safety reports for the Country Director and designated management representatives.
• Provide timely alerts and recommendations regarding significant changes in the security environment.
• Establish a structured process for verifying, analyzing, and disseminating security information and alerts relevant to Jhpiego’s operating locations.
• Present findings from risk assessments, inspections, incident reviews, and emergency exercises.
• Maintain a register of identified risks, mitigation measures, responsible persons, and completion dates.
• Monitor outstanding corrective actions and report delays or unresolved high-priority risks.
• Contribute security and safety inputs to annual work plans, operational reviews, and business continuity planning.

Key Working Relationships

Internal stakeholders

• Country Director and Senior Management Team
• Human Resources
• Operations and Administration
• Finance
• Program and Technical Teams
• Hub Office and Project Managers
• Safeguarding and Compliance Focal Points, as applicable

External stakeholders

• Government security and emergency response authorities
• Relevant health facilities and partner institutions
• Peer international and local organizations
• Security information and coordination networks
• Security service providers, landlords, and other contracted service providers

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in security management, Risk Management, Occupational Health and Safety, Emergency Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
• A relevant postgraduate qualification or professional certification is an advantage.
• Recognized training in security management, occupational safety, emergency response, or incident investigation is desirable.
• At least five to six years of progressively responsible experience in security management, safety management, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, or related operational roles.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing security plans, standard operating procedures, and emergency response arrangements.
• Experience supporting staff working across multiple offices or field locations.
• Experience conducting security risk assessments, incident investigations, and workplace safety inspections.
• Experience coordinating with government authorities, local partners, service providers, and senior management.
• Experience in an international NGO, humanitarian organization, public health program, or development organization is highly desirable.
• Experience managing security budgets, contracts, and external service providers is an advantage.

Abilities/Skills:

• Strong security risk assessment and risk mitigation skills.
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety principles and emergency management.
• Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prepare clear incident reports, risk assessments, and management recommendations.
• Strong planning, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information professionally.
• Sound judgment and the ability to make timely recommendations in rapidly changing situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to deliver training, conduct briefings, and promote a positive safety culture.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and relevant reporting tools.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English and Amharic is required or strongly preferred, depending on the position's operational needs.
• Knowledge of other Ethiopian languages relevant to Jhpiego's field locations is an advantage.

Salary: Between 14,299 – 21,266 USD per annum. 

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Please apply at www.jobs-jhpiego.icims.com

Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

“Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

EEO is the Law

Application Deadline: November 16, 2026

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