Safety and Security Officer

ORGANIZATION AND PROJECT BACKGROUND

Nutrition International Nigeria will support the Nigerian government through the VAS for Boosting Child Survival in Northern Nigeria project. The project will provide financial and technical assistance for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week activities and strengthen access to essential services for mothers and children.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Safety and Security Officer will support safe and effective programme delivery through contextual security analysis, movement advice, incident-response support and practical security-risk guidance. The officer will monitor the operating environment, assess how security developments affect activities and contribute to Nutrition International’s Duty of Care. The role will work with the Country Office and Manager, Global Safety and Security.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

RISK ANALYSIS AND CONTEXT MONITORING

• Monitor and analyse security developments in Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina, including armed-group activity, crime, civil unrest, access constraints and local security trends.
• Identify emerging risks, movement restrictions and changes in the operating environment.
• Provide clear recommendations for planning, access decisions and operational posture.
• Maintain incident databases, risk-analysis tools and reporting systems.
• Produce weekly or monthly updates, incident summaries and analytical notes.
• Contribute to threat assessments for current and planned activities, new locations and special events.

SECURITY SYSTEMS, PLANNING AND DOCUMENTATION

• Draft, review and update security plans, standard operating procedures, communication trees, fire-safety plans and movement procedures.
• Develop and review contingency plans covering relocation, hibernation and lockdown.
• Ensure security documents are practical, current and usable by field teams.
• Maintain appropriate filing, version control and information sharing.
• Support security assessments for offices, accommodation, project sites and temporary facilities.

MOVEMENT AND OPERATIONAL SUPPORT

• Advise on staff and consultant movements, routes, timings, communications, travel restrictions and contingency measures.
• Monitor security incidents, road conditions, checkpoints and local restrictions affecting access.
• Maintain movement-tracking systems, contact lists and communication procedures.
• Conduct field security assessments and audits across the five programme states.
• Support readiness of vehicles, communication equipment, guard services and access-control arrangements.

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

• Support immediate response to security incidents, including information gathering, coordination and escalation.
• Ensure timely incident reporting, documentation and follow-up.
• Support lessons-learned reviews and corrective actions.
• Develop, test and review plans for medical emergencies, critical incidents, evacuation, relocation, lockdown and hibernation.
• Provide emergency support during elevated-risk periods, including outside regular working hours when required.

BRIEFINGS AND CAPACITY SUPPORT

• Deliver security inductions and context-specific briefings to staff, visitors, consultants and partners.
• Provide refresher coaching on movement protocols, incident reporting and personal-security measures.
• Promote situational awareness and practical responsibility for risk management.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND COMPLIANCE

• Maintain relationships with relevant UN and INGO security forums, authorities, community actors and partners.
• Analyse formal and informal power structures, access constraints and community dynamics.
• Coordinate with programme, facilities, procurement, HR, IT and partner-security teams.
• Monitor compliance with security policies, movement rules, site requirements and Duty of Care standards.
• Support security audits and follow up identified action plans.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Security, Humanitarian Studies, Development Studies or another related discipline.
• Four years of paid experience in the same field may be accepted instead of a bachelor’s degree.
• At least five years of experience in security, access, security-risk advisory or operational-support roles in complex, fragile or conflict-affected settings.
• Experience conducting contextual security-risk assessments, maintaining incident records and supporting emergency response.
• Previous experience with an INGO, humanitarian agency or development organization is strongly preferred.
• Experience planning staff and vehicle movements in environments affected by armed violence, access restrictions, civil unrest or kidnapping risk is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of political, social and conflict dynamics in Northern Nigeria.
• Experience drafting and operationalizing security plans, procedures and contingency measures.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Context and conflict analysis.
• Security-risk assessment and incident management.
• Movement planning, access advice and emergency preparedness.
• Security reporting, briefings and staff capacity building.
• Relationship management with authorities, communities and coordination forums.
• Cultural and gender sensitivity.
• Personal resilience and ability to work during critical incidents.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Hausa or another relevant local language is an advantage.

CONTRACT DETAILS

• Employment type: Full-time contract.
• Duty station: Abuja, Nigeria.
• Geographic coverage: Kebbi, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano and Katsina.
• Travel: Regular travel within Nigeria, including remote or high-risk locations.
• Working hours: Flexibility for evenings, weekends and public holidays during emergencies or elevated-risk periods.
• Appointment is conditional upon receipt of project funding.
• Salary: Competitive market pay; exact amount not specified.
• Benefits include health benefits, pension, flexible working hours, vacation, learning and development support and health and wellness support.
• Contract duration: Not specified.
• Number of positions: Not specified.

SAFEGUARDING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Nutrition International is committed to preventing sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. Interviews and reference checks may include safeguarding matters. The post holder must apply organizational Duty of Care and safety standards.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Applicants must apply through Nutrition International’s official Workable recruitment page. Required application documents beyond the information requested by the portal: Not specified.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

24 August 2026.