ChildFund is a child-focused international development organization that works in 23 countries to connect children with the people, resources and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe, no matter where they are.

ChildFund’s Values

ChildFund is creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environment where everyone is welcomed and celebrated equally. In our culture of connection, you will have ample opportunity to grow, learn, and lead while contributing your talents and innovations to our inspiring mission.

ChildFund’s Commitment

ChildFund International has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and all other forms of harm by its staff, partners, and other representatives in the delivery of its mission and services for children. ChildFund is committed to creating a safe environment in the workplace as well as in the communities where it delivers programs and services. ChildFund expects every staff member, partner, and representative to adhere to this commitment and to ensure all organizational policies and standards are followed. This position is subject to a range of vetting checks, including a criminal records check and/or disclosure to ensure program participants are safeguarded.

About This Role

The Senior Specialist, Safety & Security provides security expertise and support to enable the safest and most effective implementation of ChildFund’s programs and activities in Ethiopia. The Specialist delivers high-quality security risk management and relies on his or her knowledge of NGO/humanitarian programming.

ChildFund Ethiopia works in five regions of the country. The Specialist reports to the Senior Manager, Regional Security and Risk Analyst, with shared accountability to the Country Director. The Specialist works closely with the senior management team in Ethiopia and collaborates with program and administration staff, security focal points, and the global security team at ChildFund.

This position is open to candidates with current residence and work authorization in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Remote candidates will not be considered. Please note that pay is in local currency.

Required Experience and Education

• University degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in security risk management with a non-governmental organization (NGO) or other international organization.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop, monitor and review country security risk management plans.
• Conduct and/or participate in risk assessments for all new project and program areas. This includes awareness of expansion plans and proactively communicating needs early enough to help inform decision-making.
• Review existing strategies and advise on corrective action.
• Monitor the political, economic, and social context and inform leadership of developments on a regular basis; communicate threats that could impact ChildFund in a timely, succinct and accurate manner to leadership and security staff.
• Strive to ensure safe access to project areas while maintaining security measures.
• Proactively support the integration of security into the operations so that administration and programs are strengthened and not hindered.
• Execute journey management assessments for all domestic trips.
• Actively promote a culture of incident sharing and risk management.
• Deliver constant and productive support to all staff.
• Execute high quality and interactive training (i.e., risk assessments, SOP implementation, etc.) aligned with the global strategy and training criteria.
• Communicate foreseeable and present security threats to staff and leadership and use escalation protocols and procedures.
• Maintain all notes, logs, and information during critical incidents. Contribute as a member of the core incident management team.
• Develop quality briefings, reports, alerts and advisories to various stakeholders (Country Director, staff, global security, visitors, and others).
• In collaboration with Administration, ensure adherence to the guard force SOP.
• Facilitate program access through the provision of dependable advice, regular sit-reps, and safety advisories, as needed.
• Maintain a strong network and attend security networking opportunities.
• Support security focal point development plans by organizing training and coaching in close collaboration with programs leadership.
• Develop and conduct training and drills that support security awareness, standard operating procedures, contingency plans, emergency response and on other needed topics.
• Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy.

Required Competencies

ChildFund’s Core Competencies

• Teamwork: the ability to work effectively and collaborate with others; values and respects individual differences.
• Communication: demonstrates empathy and tact when communicating with others and uses a storytelling approach when appropriate.
• Results orientation: gets things done; takes proactive steps to achieve organizational goals and quality standards.
• Decision making: uses good judgement, critical thinking, and non-traditional ways to evaluate problems and opportunities; reflects and innovates to improve decisions and outcomes.
• Resilience: thrives and grows in rapidly changing, demanding, and complex environments.
• Digital literacy: adopts and champions new technology to relevant contexts, stays aware of technological trends and embraces technological solutions to business challenges.

Other Required Competencies

• The ability to read, speak, and write fluently in English and Amharic.
• Strong influencing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Good presentation skills, with the ability to deliver effective trainings to diverse audiences in virtual or in-person settings.
• Good networking and relationship-building skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Word and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of NGO/humanitarian programming and the Ethiopia political and social development context.
• Demonstrated strong knowledge of security risk management and risk assessment in the international development context.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed environment and effectively prioritize during emergencies.

Other Criteria

• The ability to travel within Ethiopia up to 40%.
• The ability to travel internationally on