Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

The Role:

Oxfam in Syria is looking for Safety & Security Coordinator - Damascus, Head Office (Roving up to 50% across hub locations as required)

DEPARTMENT PURPOSE: Support Oxfam's mission by implementing robust security protocols and fostering a safe, healthy & secure working environment. Collaborate with local partners and communities to enhance resilience and promote sustainable development per Oxfam's vision.

TEAM PURPOSE: Ensure safety and security of Oxfam staff, associated personnel, asset and program.

JOB PURPOSE: Ensure that the Syria programme security strategy, security management plans and Standard Operating Procedures are developed, implemented, monitored and reviewed; consistent with Oxfam policies, standards and requirements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (Technical, Leadership, People and Resource management)

Analysis:

In conjunction with the CD/ MENA RSA, support the development and maintenance of a comprehensive context analysis and risk assessments for Oxfam assets, staff and programmes that will include;

• Ongoing analysis of the context and developments in relation to the security situation.
• Develop and maintain up-to-date context analysis and risk assessment.
• Optimize use of OSIRIS, the Oxfam Security Incident Reporting System.
• Maintain close contacts with all relevant stakeholders to develop a network and build relationships with key actors to ensure gathering of reliable security information.
• Undertake regular and ad hoc security assessment missions as necessary, in order to gather information and analyse the overall security situation in existing and potential areas of intervention.

Security System:

In conjunction with the CD/ MENA RSA support country management staff and be in charge of developing a security management system which includes a security management strategy (including detailed acceptance strategy) and plan and allow for the continuous updating of security measures that will include;

• Advise and support the Country Director with regard to implementing the security management system.
• Ensure the security management system is in line with existing Oxfam Security Policy, Risk Management policy and Approach.
• Support the Country Director and other senior staff to manage country security incidents.
• Provide crisis management content information to the crisis manager for crisis management response
• and decision making.
• Provide support to the assigned security officers/ focal points in country as appropriate.
• Ensure that the supporting departments (HR, Administration and Logistics) take on their role in facilitating good security management.

Security Awareness:

• Ensure that staff have the security skills and awareness that they need to be effective, by motivating all staff to do the PST online security training and all line manager the PST security management online training at Learning at Oxfam.
• Support and coordinate additional security training where mandatory.
• Ensure that all staff and visitors receive appropriate security briefings.
• Ensure that an appropriate system is in place to provide security information to travellers in advance
• of their departure (Welcome Pack) part of Country Security Management Plan.
• Make sure latest CD approved version of SMP and Welcome Pack is placed on Box for all staff to access.
• Ensure that Oxfam staff in the Syria programme are well trained and will comply with Oxfam safety/security policies.
• Link with the human resources department on staff wellbeing and safety.

Contacts:

External:

• With local stakeholders such as government, (I)NGO’s, UN, partners, communities to share and exchange information.

Internal:

• With Country Director and senior management staff to inform and co-ordinate on security issues.
• With Regional Security Advisor in Regional Platform and Global Security Advisor where appropriate.
• With relevant staff in order to ensure that the security management system complements the program
• and advocacy activities and vice versa.
• With the relevant support staff in order to ensure that all logistical, financial, IT, HR and administrative elements of the security management system are in place.

What we are looking for:

We’re looking for a candidate who cares about Oxfam's mission to end poverty and is personally aligned to our feminist principles and values of empowerment, accountability and inclusion in all you do.

An ideal candidate for the role will also be / have:

ESSENTIAL

• Self-Awareness
• Relationship building
• Strategic Thinking and Judgment
• Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity

In addition:

• Graduate qualification, preferably master’s degree in security management, or equivalent level education/experience in this discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years demonstrated, practical experience of security assessments, planning and implementation of procedures in the context of UN and/or NGO humanitarian operations.
• Experience of managing security in an insecure, volatile, changing context.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, team building and team leadership experience, including managing, providing technical advice to dispersed security teams across the country.
• Proven influencing and negotiating skills with internal and external audiences including in complex, stressful and high-pressure environments.
• Proven experience of field-based training.
• Excellent communication, coordination and interpersonal skills, together with the ability to remain calm under pressure and not lose sight of strategic priorities.
• A sound understanding of the importance of gender and supporting diverse workforce.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
• Willingness to travel at short notice, and often in difficult circumstances.
• Team-working skills.
• Demonstrated skills: Attention to detail, organisation, report writing and numeracy.
• Committed to Oxfam principles.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory.

Desirable

Understanding of the cultural nuances across operating locations (Damascus, Aleppo, Deira Zour, Hama, Latakia, Idlib)

We offer:

We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including annual leave, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits. 

From the day you join Oxfam we invite you to stretch and learn in your role. Our wide range of Learning & Development opportunities includes in-house courses, e-learning modules, on-the job learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and much more. 

You can read more about all Oxfam has to offer here.

How to apply:

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and Cover Letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.  

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

A thriving diverse Oxfam:

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that:

• We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
• We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
• We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.