Safety, Security and Access Officer [Sudanese Nationals Only]

About CIVIC

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international non-governmental organization with offices around the world working to improve protection for civilians in conflict zones. CIVIC envisions a world in which no civilian is harmed in conflict. Our mission is to support communities affected by conflict in their quest for protection and work with armed actors to strengthen their capacity and resolve to prevent and respond to civilian harm. We are humanitarian protection advocates who believe that no civilian caught in conflict should be ignored, and we provide practical solutions to preventing, mitigating, and responding to civilian harm. Learn more at civiliansinconflict.org.

About the Position

The Safety, Security and Access Officer's main aim is to oversee and provide advice/guidance on safety, risk management and access negotiation through increased capacity, technical support and advice to the and country program on all aspects of staff safety and ensure appropriate systems are in place at the country level. The SSAO will monitor the country-wide situation, identify inherent threats and minimize risks to the program consistent with CIVICs Policy and Standards. In addition, the SSO will support the Country Team in Sudan to complete and follow up on liaison needs related to deal with Governmental departments and official offices from a safety and security lens.

Key Functions

The Safety, Security and Access Officer will be responsible for Safety and Security management as an advisor to the Country Director and the staff and will respond to emergency and crises situations where and when needed. S/he will:

Capacity Development and Support

• Coordinate and provide training to field staff (including researchers, and volunteers)
• Support and build the capacity of national staff and partners in Safety and Security Management.
  

Planning and Preparation

• Conduct safety and risk assessments and align it with the overall program intervention plans.
• Act as a liaison with local and regional officials, and other agencies regarding safety and coordination issues in the planning, promotion of, and support for existing and future CIVIC projects.
  

Procedures and Protocols

• Design and develop CIVIC Sudan SOPs and guidelines.
• Manage the CIVIC Sudan safety workplan (informed by CIVIC Sudan’s risk assessment and CIVIC’s minimum operating safety standards)
• Manage the CIVIC SATPHONES and other related equipment for CIVIC Sudan.
• Manage the CIVIC Staff Tracking system for all staff and visitors to Sudan.
• Make sure CIVIC Sudan personnel adhere to all safety protocols prescribed in the CIVIC risk management plan
• Work with the Country Director to insure the proper implementation of policies and procedures.

Crisis Preparedness and Management Response

• Maintain robust contingency plans for major events and critical incidents.
• Advise the CIVIC Sudan Management Team of events affecting or which could potentially affect staff safety or cause damage / injury to CIVIC staff and assets.
• Be prepared to deploy on short notice to support operations in any CIVIC program area.
• Coordinate with Country Incident Management Team (IMT) and advise them of possible actions or options in a time of crisis or emergency.
• Assist with emergency medical evacuations.
• Investigate and follow up on safety incidents where CIVIC staff or assets are involved.

Advise and Report

• Provide the CIVIC Sudan Management Team with weekly updated reports on the safety situation in the country office and the steps being taken to address these.
• Collect, author, compile and analyze weekly safety related reports, SOP's and related information from multiple sources ensuring CIVICs safety posture is current and relevant to the situation on the ground.
• Track and report on relevant incidences, near misses, and the geopolitical situation in Sudan and relevant bordering countries.
• Briefing the Country Team on safety developments within the area of CIVIC’s operations and other areas of interest.
• Overseeing the completion of reports (e.g. SITREPs, Travel Advisories) for the Country Office, on a regular and ongoing basis.
• Providing feedback to the Country Director, and the Program Manager on progress in respect to safety actions and initiatives.
• Providing technical advice to Country Office in respect of staff safety.
• Ensuring that regular strategic risk assessments are conducted and management informed of emerging trends and threats.
• Coordinate with INSO and UNDSS and prepare a summery or their reports to the Senior management team on a weekly basis or ad hoc in case of a significant event.

Administration and Support

• Secure the communication with the staff in the field during travels.
• Support the Sudan team in organizing events
• In case of emergency events the SSO is responsible for picking CIVIC staff in Port Sudan province using his own vehicle under CIVIC safety requirement.
• Outside Port Sudan SSO should ensure training venues, accommodation, vehicles and drivers used for CIVIC work meet CIVIC safety requirements. SSO should ensure that driver(s) meet and maintain safety requirements of the vehicles within CIVIC standards and any applicable local laws.
  

Access

• Support the CD with access negotiation efforts with key stakeholders including government officials and non-state armed groups.
• Provide access related advisory to the senior management team.
• Anticipate and manage risk associated with perception of CIVIC work at federal and field level.
• Accompany the program team in all field trip to manage access negotiation tasks.
• Provide capacity building/awareness raising sessions to CIVIC field and country staff on access related aspects.

Requirements/Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in related field (such as Security studies, or International relations).
• 3 to 5 years in of field safety experience in hostile environments.
• Experience in program management especially protection.
• Experience in access negotiation.
• Extensive knowledge to local structures, procedures and correspondence in Sudan.
• Previous experience working in NGO at least 5 years.
• Well networked within government, local authorities, and NGO sector.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historical and socio-political context of Sudan and neighboring countries.

Technical skills:

Required:

• Competent and literate in Arabic and English (including verbal and written), with a sound knowledge of technical expressions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong assessment, evaluation, analysis and strategic planning skills.
• IT literate in GSuite and Microsoft (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
• Experience in developing safety related technical tools guidelines and systems
• Demonstrated knowledge of the historical and socio- political context of Sudan and Middle East.
• Demonstrable expertise of Humanitarian risk management.
• Strong demonstrated negotiation and inter- personal skills in a multi-cultural/ethnic environment.
• Ability to make good judgment on staff safety and provide appropriate advice.
• Demonstrated ability to manage under stressful conditions.
• Demonstrated supervisory ability, sound judgment and the ability to work effectively with others at all levels.
• Strong ability to analyze and understand complex situations and translate these into specific policy advice.
• Valid Motor vehicle Driver’s license.

Desired:

• Previous work experience with humanitarian INGO, or Oil and Gas company.
• Strong understanding of programming in humanitarian and development projects.
• Familiar with Track24 and alternate forms of communications equipment (e.g. Satellite and radio).
• Certificate in Medical Response/First Aid.
• HEAT Course within last five years.

Additional Details

Application deadline: August 22, 2025

Preferred start date: September 15, 2025

Position is contingent upon the availability of funding.

Due to the high volume of applications, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

CIVIC seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool in the belief that employees from diverse backgrounds are critical to achieving our goals. We strongly encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

CIVIC is not able to sponsor employees at this point, therefore, please ensure that you can legally work in this location when applying.

Note to Recruiters and Placement Agencies: CIVIC does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. CIVIC does not pay placement fees for candidates submitted by any agency other than its approved partners.