Safety Advisor – South

Organisation Background:

Founded in 2011, the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) is an international non-governmental organisation that supports humanitarian aid workers by establishing safety coordination platforms in insecure contexts. INSO provides registered NGOs with a range of free services, including real-time incident tracking, analytical reports, safety-related data and mapping, crisis management support, staff orientations and training.

INSO provides daily support to more than 1000 NGOs operating in 16 of the world’s most insecure countries.

INSO is registered in the Netherlands with its headquarters based in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice.

INSO Syria:

The Syria programme supports more than 215 NGOs to deliver vitally needed aid and assistance to an estimated 13.1 million people in need across the country. First launched as an emergency response operation in 2014, INSO Syria has grown to become a regional programme, present in all of the regional Syria response hubs.

INSO Syria is now seeking an experienced professional to join our team as Safety Advisor – South. The SA South serves as a regional analyst and subject matter expert on regional dynamics, trends, and developments in south and central Syria as well as represents INSO as the primary focal point for the humanitarian community in the region.

The post will be based in Beirut, Lebanon but with travel to INSO Syria’s satellite offices as needed. This position is only open to Lebanese nationals.

Job Summary:

The Safety Advisor South will serve as INSO’s primary representative supporting a dynamic humanitarian community in south and central Syria. Safety Advisors work in and manage close-knit and professional teams in providing high quality services to our NGO partners, which may include safety and access managers, security focal points, coordinators and program managers, and country and regional level management. The position requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, networking, report writing, presentation skills, and equally important motivation and commitment to the team and our partners.

Major Responsibilities:

• Manage a small office team, including supervision of national staff and oversight of local logistics and administration.
• Establish and maintain an active information network, which includes NGOs, the UN, and other key actors to obtain credible and relevant safety information.
• Provide NGOs with timely and credible security information and in-depth, nuanced contextual analysis through: daily flash alerts, weekly incident lists and bi-weekly analytical reports.
• Support other Safety Advisors in their daily tasks, especially at times of high work volume or in their absence.
• Assist NGOs in developing their own security management capacities by reviewing policy documents, conducting site-security surveys, and assisting in crisis evacuation plans.
• Facilitate and lead regular NGO community security roundtables, presenting trends and facilitating discussions.
• Effectively represent, promote and protect INSO’s mandate of independence, impartiality and neutrality.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Lebanese Nationals or Right to Work in Lebanon Only
• Fluency in English to an impeccably high standard (written and spoken).
• Relevant graduate level education in Security or Conflict Studies, Political Science, International Relations or equivalent work experience.
• Significant experience living or working in insecure/conflict-affected environments.
• Outstanding writing and analytical skills (Samples may be requested)
• Demonstrable understanding of humanitarian safety and access practices & principles and their application.
• Ability to adapt to multi-cultural and diverse social backgrounds.
• Understanding and commitment to the humanitarian principles of independence, impartiality and neutrality.

Preferred Characteristics:

• Minimum of (1) year’s recent experience working on Syria – ideally in an NGO safety or analytical role or equivalent – and demonstrable understanding of the context.
• Experience with NGO security and/or project management.
• Existing information networks.
• Arabic language skills a plus.

Key Personal Competencies:

• Excellent analyst
• Team player
• Strong interpersonal skills
• A good listener
• An effective communicator
• A proactive thinker

INSO’s Safeguarding Policy

INSO is fully committed to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of all potential new staff, trustees and volunteers and we will ensure rigorous compliance with our Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy throughout the recruitment process.

Terms & Conditions:

12-month renewable. USD 3,400 per month salary, 1.75 calendar days annual leave per month, private health insurance coverage and AD&D insurance.