Celebrating frontline humanitarian security professionals: the INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards

This blog explores the essential role of security professionals on the frontlines, the importance of the INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards, and the need to build a more inclusive, supportive security risk management community.

Honouring excellence: SRM professionals on the ground

In high-risk environments, frontline security risk management (SRM) professionals play a key role in safeguarding humanitarian workers and the communities they serve. These practitioners are a vital element in the delivery of life-saving aid. But their contributions aren’t always acknowledged.

The INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards, were founded in 2023 by the International NGO Safety & Security Association (INSSA) and the Centre for Safety and Development (CSD). These awards celebrate those SRM professionals who so often go unrecognised. By showing appreciation for their dedication and resilience, the awards seek to elevate SRM’s role in humanitarian operations worldwide.

The INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards: a platform for recognition

The INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards are open to anyone aged 21 and over who has made a meaningful impact in the field. Eligible applicants must have also held a free INSSA membership for one year and have a valid Security Risk Management Professional (SRMP) Country Level Certification, available at no cost through DisasterReady.

The awards include three categories, designed to celebrate distinct achievements:

1. Rising Star: For young professionals (under 35) or those with less than five years of SRM experience who demonstrate exceptional potential and commitment.
2. SRM Innovator: For individuals introducing groundbreaking SRM concepts, systems, or practices with measurable impact.
3. Outstanding Achiever: For those showcasing superior leadership in key SRM areas, such as risk assessment, incident response, and team management.

Each winner receives a $1,000 bursary, made possible by CSD sponsorship. These bursaries support recipients’ professional growth, allowing them to access training, resources, or other career-enhancing opportunities.

The impact of recognition

For many finalists, the recognition is transformative. “Being nominated reminded me that my work matters,” shared one recipient. “It gave me confidence to continue developing my skills and to try new approaches, knowing that our global community values what we do.”

By raising the profile of frontline security professionals, the INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards have the potential to boost the confidence of SRM professionals and encourage them to take on leadership roles within their organisations and networks. Combined with the Security Risk Management Certification, an essential prerequisite for nomination, recipients are better equipped to enhance their impact in the field.

The awards can also inspire recipients to play a more active role in coordination, outreach, and leadership at local and regional levels. Recognised as role models, they may be motivated to strengthen networks, foster collaboration, and drive innovation in SRM. Ultimately, this recognition can empower individuals and contribute to more inclusive and effective safety systems across the NGO sector.

Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion in Security Risk Management (SRM)

Diversity and inclusion is a vital element of the awards. This is because an inclusive SRM community is crucial for developing effective, sustainable strategies that reflect diverse local needs. Integrating varied perspectives and lived experiences leads to solutions that are safer, more relevant, and better informed.

As a young SRM manager from South Asia and a finalist in the awards noted, “When we bring together people with different backgrounds and experiences, we create security solutions that are not only safer but more sustainable because they’re locally informed.”

Despite some progress, there have been challenges in achieving equal representation, particularly with women and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Historically, fewer women have applied for the INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards, highlighting broader sector disparities.

To address this, the awards focus on targeted outreach and fostering an inclusive environment where all candidates feel their contributions are valued. The goal is to ensure professionals from all backgrounds feel encouraged and supported to apply.

We call on the SRM community to nominate deserving candidates, particularly women and LGBTQIA+ practitioners. While all applications are judged on merit, increased nominations from underrepresented groups will naturally enhance their visibility and impact.

Applying for the Awards

Applications for the awards typically open from March to June, though the timeline may be adjusted based on external circumstances. For instance, in 2024, the deadline was extended to July to accommodate a large number of SRM professionals engaged in managing emergencies.

To ensure accessibility, the application process is designed to accommodate SRM professionals in challenging contexts, including those with limited internet access.

Applications are judged by a panel of SRM experts, practitioners, and peers, including previous winners. Evaluation criteria include:

• Originality: Innovation in concepts or practices.
• Impact: Measurable contributions to the community, country, or regional level.
• Diversity and inclusion: Efforts to foster representation and local insights.

Shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in panel interviews to share their vision, address sector challenges, and demonstrate their leadership. Winners are approved by the INSSA Board of Directors, ensuring impartiality.

Looking Ahead: Advancing SRM Excellence

The INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards represent more than recognition—they are a call to action. By celebrating today’s SRM professionals, the awards pave the way for a future that is resilient, inclusive, and connected.

The 2024 awards process has now concluded, and preparations for the virtual ceremony, where the awardees will be honoured, is currently underway. This ceremony, along with the final disbursement of the bursaries, will mark the conclusion of the 2024 cycle.

Looking ahead, applications for the 2025 awards will open in the first quarter of the year. Full details regarding the process will be provided here in due course. We encourage the SRM community to consider candidates who have made significant contributions to the field, particularly those from underrepresented groups, whose work may not always receive the recognition it deserves.

As we move forward, the focus remains on strengthening the SRM community’s role in humanitarian work, ensuring that security continues to be a central component in the delivery of assistance, and that excellence in SRM is recognised and supported across the sector.

Learn more about the INSSA-CSD Excellence Awards here.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily represent the views or position of GISF or the author’s employers.

About the author

Javeria Malik is a seasoned security professional with over two decades of experience spanning the humanitarian, human rights, social justice, and media sectors. Javeria currently serves as the Head of Global Security for ActionAid, an international campaigning Federation operating in over 70 countries. She also chairs International NGO Safety & Security Association (INSSA) the largest non-profit association of security risk management professionals.

Image credits: Childfund/ Jake Lyell

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