Staff Security Officer

Job Description

Position Title: Staff Security Officer

Reports To: Country Representative

Division: Immigration & Refugee Program+ (IRP+)

Department: Security

Job Location: Kampala, Uganda

Grade Level: Grade 5, Officer, National

Introduction: Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

Primary Purpose:

This position is primarily responsible for supporting, implementing and ensuring the systematic application of safety and security policies for all CWS Africa operational activities and programs in Uganda. The Staff Security Officer will compile and draft Weekly Country Security Updates, conduct expat residential surveys, analyze and complete security assessments of ongoing activities in Uganda as well as ensure proper documentation and filling of security electronic and physical files. This position will act as the primary focal point in daily security operations in the country and will report to the country Representative.

Essential Duties:

1. Compiles and drafts Weekly Country Security Updates including and dissemination of security alerts from the partner agencies, and shares the same with the Staff Security Coordinator.
2. Submission of Situational reports and Country Monthly Reports to the country Representative and Staff Security Coordinator.
3. Trains all new staff on safety and security procedures and provides periodic refresher training to regular staff.
4. Conducts new hire and visitors’ security orientation.
5. Requests guards’ deployment, supervises and conducts regular briefings of the contracted guard force and also activation response and periodic drills.
6. Continuously monitors surveillance cameras and works closely with the IT team to ensure surveillance systems are up and running.
7. Collects, updates and communicates information regarding the security situation in areas of operation using existing CWS Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and security manual guidelines.
8. Coordinates and liaises with the GSO on servicing of fire extinguishers and first aid boxes to ensure that offices are compliant on matters Safety and Security and also in-house periodic motor vehicle inspections to ascertain validity of Insurance and Inspections.
9. Conducts expat residential physical security surveys as requested and advises staff on the findings and takes part in conducting evacuation & lockdown drills.
10. Attends security meetings in areas of operation, prepares and follows up on action plans arising from such meetings that pertain to staff security and take minutes of the proceedings.
11. Undertakes periodic office security risk assessment and advices the Country Representative on findings and recommendations
12. Ensures proper documentation and filling of security electronic and physical security files.
13. Conducts National Staff background checks with the relevant authorities as well as academic institutions, when required by HR
14. Conducts field site assessments as required.
15. Undertakes additional duties as requested by the Country Representative and the management.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Four (4) years’ work experience required.
• Experience in conducting Contextual security risk assessments required.
• Experience in compiling and drafting security reports including incident reporting is required.
• Experience in coordinating response to security emergencies required.
• Two (2) years working experience with similar INGO or humanitarian agency preferred

Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of Humanitarian security management and security analytical skills
• Sensitivity to gender and cultural issues.
• Excellent communications skills, with fluency in written and spoken English.
• Writing skills test may be requested.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills required.
• Demonstrate understanding Uganda context within the humanitarian sector

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a security, humanitarian, development or discipline related field, or four (4) years of paid work experience in the same field in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree is required
• At least 2 years of full time operation in a humanitarian sector within Uganda is required
• Certified security risk management professional (country or /and regional level)

Abilities:

• Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.
• Maintain the integrity of official records;
• Analyse and solve complex problems and make sound decisions;
• Work with minimal supervision
• Maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;
• Work independently and contribute to overall operations of RSC Africa;
• Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

Important Requirements:

• Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform onRacial Justiceas a CWS employee required.

Special Requirements:

• COVID Vaccination is strongly recommended for all successful candidates
• The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions, and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa
• This position is based in Kampala, Uganda
• This position requires use of laptops at all time, competence in Microsoft office packages is required.
• This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program
• Background check which includes references and an educational and criminal check is required before the start of employment for International applicants.
• A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
• Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.
• Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces. • Full time
• All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire. Remote work arrangements may vary depending on location and the governing rulings regarding the COVID-19 pandemic