Safety & Access Officer

Job Description

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL 

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General Description of the Programme/GOAL 

GOAL is an international humanitarian agency, with a team of 2,400 personnel, dedicated to alleviating the needs of  the most vulnerable communities. OAL has been working in Sierra Leone since 1999; and have offices in Freetown,  Bombali, Port Loko, Kambia and Kenema District. GOAL has over 15 years’ experience designing and implementing  system strengthening and community-based programmes across Sierra Leone including health; water, sanitation and  hygiene (WASH); and child protection and we are rapidly scaling-up within and across these sectors.  

GOAL delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development programmes, ranging from humanitarian relief in  disaster situations, to focusing on nutrition, food security, and building greater resilience and sustainable livelihoods. And work closely in partnership with local and international partners to achieve its mission. 

Job Purpose 

• To inform and advise senior management in the field and National Head Office on safety and security related  issues and ensure that they are kept informed of all security developments and are in a position to take  appropriate action when required.  
• To ensure that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to maximize the safety and security of all  GOAL staff in the Sierra Leone and that these systems and procedures are adhered to at all times. This  includes the maintenance & updating of SSEP’s & SOP’s. 
• To work with programme managers at all levels to ensure that safety and security is mainstreamed into all  areas of planning and operations. 
• To carryout regular field visits / assessments.  
• To carryout training of field-based staffs.  

Reporting Lines 

The position holder will ultimately report to the Country Director; however, a dotted line will be maintained in  reporting security & safety matters to the Global Safety & Access Department. Further the SO will work to the  Regional Safety & Access Advisor / Global Safety & Access Advisor in conjunction with the CD on technical security  matters and will keep them abreast of major security incidents or developments. 

Duties and responsibilities 

Coordination: 

• Attend safety/access coordination meetings and report back to the CD on relevant information.
• Develop contacts and information gathering systems amongst UN, NGOs, INGO’s, government  agencies and embassies and share security information with them on a regular basis. (Networking) 
• This role will also involve regular field visits, these will enable security audits/ reviews to take  place and security & safety training to be completed.  
• Local Community engagement & capacity building. 
• Strong presentational & training skills.  
• Have extensive knowledge of the safety & access context of Sierra Leone. 

Security documentation: 

• Produce written security reports for the Country Director that review any incidents in GOAL sites, summarize relevant external Sitrep, and analyze security/social/political/economic information  from the wide range of information sources available that may impact the operation of GOAL’s  programmes inSL. 
• Ensure that all incidents are reported, analyzed and actions taken where necessary. Implement  incident tracking system. 
• Maintain an Emergency Contact database with up-to-date information for all staff.
•  Ensure that the Country and Field Safety Security and Evacuation Plans (SSEP) and relevant  Annexes are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. (Every 3 months) 
• In association with the Country team ensure that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)  relating to safety and access are reviewed and updated on a regular basis. (Every 6 months)
• With the Country team develop contingency plans, ensuring that staff understand their roles in  an emergency and that GOAL has the resources to carry out the contingency plans. 
• Keep current and provide all staff with Constant Companion Cards, ensuring that the contact  information on the card is up to date. 
• Ensure that all GOAL staff have valid GOAL Identification and that staff leaving GOAL hand in their  ID as part of the clearance process. 
• Provide continuation training to Area Office & Field staff. 
• Liaise with external security actors to ensure the safety and security of GOAL staff and property. 
• Carryout Security / Risk assessments for new projects (all assessments should be reviewed every  6 months). 
• Provide Liaison with any contract security services, monthly meetings should be held, and any  equipment (panic alarms, vehicle trackers etc) should be monitored & tested.  
• Monitor and manage internal security teams (watchmen etc) and produce site instructions 
• Training & Field visit tracker.  
• Ensure all incidents are recorded on the incident trackers on the BI Power system
• Liaise with 3rd Party Partners on documentation and training  

Health and Safety: 

• With the appropriate health staff ensure that all offices and GOAL accommodation have fully  stocked, up to date First Aid and PEP kits. 
• Ensure that appropriate fire safety equipment is in place in offices, compounds, and vehicles.  Ensure that staff are aware of what to do in the event of a fire. 
• Liaise with the transport manager/AM to ensure that all vehicles have the necessary safety and  security equipment. 
• Ensure that hibernation kits are present in all compounds and review contents on a regular basis  to ensure that nothing has expired. 
• Develop security phone communication trees and maintain the GOAL warden system.
•  Update the security induction materials on a regular basis and provide inductions to all new staff.
• Test all secondary communications networks 
• Ensure fire & evacuation plans and diagrams are up to date. 

Mainstreaming Issues 

The employee must read, understand and implement, according to area of responsibility, GOAL’s policies and  procedures on mainstreaming of Gender, HIV/AIDS and Child Protection. 

Safeguarding 

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL because of our activities must be safeguarded to the  maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual  exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding  is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates. 

Accountability within GOAL 

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any  candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety,  confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols. 
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our  programming area. 
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner 

Behaviours (Values in practice) 

• Act as a representative of GOAL and demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children and  vulnerable adults both in your private and professional lives. 
• Manage staff in a respectful manner! 
• Demonstrate good customer service behaviours to stakeholders. 

Requirements (Person Specification) 

• Relevant degree 
• At least 3 years’ relevant experience in a similar role 
• Completion of relevant security trainings 
• Experience of working in similar capacity and have knowledge of security management systems and  approaches for NGO’s. 
• Demonstrated evidence of conducting risk assessments and developing security plans, security operation  procedures. 
• Training skills 
• Ability and willingness to travel. 
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft packages, including Word, Excel, and Outlook. 
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with an analytical approach to work.
• Satellite phone communications experience, operations and management. 
• First Aid qualification is desirable 

Accountability within GOAL 

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any  candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and  safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our  programming area. 
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner. 

GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any  information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or  organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to  adhere to these policies and any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer. 

If you have these skills and interested in joining our committed and dynamic team, please send your cover letter and  up-to-date CV to jobs@sl.goal.ie. on or before 5:30 pm – 24th January, 2025 

PLEASE NOTE THAT A COPY OF THE APPLICATION LETTER (written or typed) MUST BE SENT TO THE NGO DESK  OFFICER, MINISTRY OF LABOUR, NEW ENGLAND OR EMAILED to: employmentdesk71@gmail.com 

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview. 

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered  a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:  

➢ Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety,  confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.  

➢ Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our  programming area;  

➢ Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner. 

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded  to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse,  sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to  safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates. 

GOAL provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex,  colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.