Global Safety, Security, & Safeguarding Senior Manager at Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) is a research and policy nonprofit that discovers and promotes effective solutions to global poverty problems. IPA brings together researchers and decision-makers to design, rigorously evaluate, and refine these solutions and their applications, ensuring that the evidence created is used to improve the lives of the world’s poor. In recent decades, trillions of dollars have been spent on programs designed to reduce global poverty, but clear evidence of which programs succeed is rare, and when evidence does exist, decision-makers often do not know about it. IPA exists to bring together leading researchers and these decision-makers to ensure that the evidence we create leads to a tangible impact on the world. Since its founding in 2002, IPA has worked with over 600 leading academics to conduct over 900 evaluations in 52 countries. This research has informed hundreds of successful programs that now impact millions of individuals worldwide.

We are recruiting suitable candidates to fill the position below:

Job Title: Global Safety, Security, & Safeguarding Senior Manager

Location: Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-time
Reports to: Director, Global Operations & Systems

Position Summary

• The manager will be responsible for the management and implementation of the organization's security and safeguarding policies across existing Country Offices as well as supporting the development and execution of the organization's security and safeguarding policies and procedures. 
• The manager will also assist in the scoping of S&S matter for potential new Country Offices. 
• The manager will provide hands-on support to Country Office leadership in assessing and managing the security situation related to existing and upcoming projects. 
• Additionally, the manager will provide support to the Senior Management Team in their response to security and safeguarding incidents, emergencies, and crises on behalf of the organization. 
• The manager will coordinate Global Operations’ advice to Country Directors and Program Directors regarding security and safeguarding matters. 
• Lastly, the manager will conduct training for employees and facilitate development and implementation of country security management plans. The position reports to the Director, Global Operations. 

Responsibilities
25% - Policy Development:

• In collaboration with the Director, Global Operations, produce, roll out and maintain updated safety, security, and safeguarding policies and SOPs for employees, ensuring compliance to the organization's global safety, security, and safeguarding standards.
• Please note that in the context of this vacancy "Safeguarding" is understood as "the practice of implementing preventative, protection, and compliance measures to protect the health, wellbeing, and human rights of all people, especially the vulnerable populations, enabling them to live safely and free from abuse and neglect.". 
• Therefore, safeguarding includes the actions taken by organizations to ensure their staff, operations, and programs do no harm to Children and Vulnerable Adults nor expose them to abuse or exploitation.

50% - Safety, Security, Safeguarding, and Travel Technical Support:

• Conduct threat and risk assessments at the country and regional level, support procurement of consulting services as needed, and provide recommendations for context-specific security management requirements to senior management.
• Serve as a member of the security unit, coordinating employee and asset-related emergencies and incidents, keeping senior management informed and recommending appropriate response actions.
• Draft security advisories with recommendations  for  senior management regarding general situation, specific incidents, and periods of heightened threat.
• Regularly review project-specific safeguarding compliance plan and safety and security SOPs.
• Establish a network with other key security players for information sharing and joint lobbying on security matters where possible.
• Work with the security focal points to conduct hotel assessments in liaison with the travel management company for a safety and security approval process.
• Support SFP s and CDs to develop evacuation and hibernation plans for the countries that require them according to IPA’s Safety and Security Policy.
• Provide technical security advice in consultation with senior management on the existing and any new potential offices including site selection and establishment of effective physical and procedural security measures.
• Stays abreast of social, cultural, legal, and criminal issues, nationally and internationally, and their impact on the organization and its business
• Use IPA’s travel management system to track the location and contact information for all visiting employees and consultants.
• Support the coordination with IPA’s Travel Agent on security matters, and all other aspects as needed.

15% - Capacity Building and Training:

• Identify, establish, and manage context-appropriate approaches to ensure facilities and assets are secure.
• Conduct safety and security training for employees including personal safety, emergency evacuations, travel safety, relocation, and evacuation, etc.

10% - Leadership:

• Lead by example, modeling IPA' s culture & values and fostering an environment of teamwork, accountability, creativity, and innovation.
• Contribute to the development of contextualized IPA' s security priorities ensuring that safety operations and compliance considerations are property built into local plans and budgets.
• Model the highest standards of integrity and communication both internally with IPA teams and externally with local and regional stakeholders, partners, and funders.

Qualifications
Required:

• Minimum of 5+ years experience in coordinating security and safeguarding at a regional or global scale (i.e., responsible for multiple country) for international organizations working in high-risk contexts.
• Strong and demonstrated experience as a trainer with excellent training skills - the ability to develop, implement, facilitate, and impart learning to a wide range of audiences.
• High level of experience, ready to learn developing security related technical tools guidelines and systems as well as able to work under minimal supervision
• Understanding of principles and code of conduct associated with a specific sector and/or sub-sector of work such as, development, humanitarian, etc. linked to NGO contexts.
• Effective and clear communicator, ability to collaborate across teams and geographies and Initiates and skilled in interdisciplinary problem solving.
• Ability to gain a precise understanding of the various local, regional, country, and international policies, operational positions, and interactions, providing clear dynamic briefings and analysis of given and unfolding security and political situations when they occur.
• Strong assessment, evaluation, and analysis skills. 
• Strategic planning and project management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and work under stressful conditions.
• Understanding of the Sub-Saharan political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
• Previous experience interacting with local government agencies and other foreign agencies to implement security strategies and procedures relating to S&S matters.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English.
• Bachelor's Degree or its International Equivalent in Criminal Justice, Security Administration or Related Field.

Preferred:

• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private company of progressive program management experience in humanitarian assistance or related industry experience in a relevant technical area.
• Good Knowledge of Spanish or French is an asset
• ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation preferred.
• Experience in developing security strategies for humanitarian operations, previous security experience preferred.

Application Closing Date
11th April, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online