SCOPE OF WORK
USAID/SOMALIA PEOPLE-CENTERED GOVERNANCE (PCG) ACTIVITY
Vacancy Post
Position: Security Manager (Grade 10)
Maximum Level of Effort: LTTA
Base of Operations: Mogadishu, Somalia
Position reports to: Chief of Party & Regional Security Director
Project Background:
USAID’s Somalia People-Centered Governance (PCG) Activity is a five-year program promoting more effective and legitimate local governance in Somalia. Through various interventions, the Activity will encourage inclusive, fair, and transparent behaviors and decisions that increase the legitimacy of District Councils (DCs). PCG brings citizens and DCs together to co-design activities that build a strong foundation for sustainable, inclusive governance processes and service improvements.
USAID PCG will promote more legitimate and effective local governance in southern Somalia and, in doing so, provide a credible alternative to al-Shabaab rule. Interventions under Intermediate Result 1 (“DCs are fairer and more inclusive”) seek to enhance the legitimacy of the Somali state by supporting districts to better manage resources and disputes (sub-IR 1.1) and promote more inclusive decision-making processes (sub-IR 1.2). Interventions under Intermediate Result 2 (“Improved performance of DCs”) seek to improve the performance – or effectiveness – of the Somali state by supporting districts to better respond to citizen priorities (sub-IR 2.1) and become more sustainable (sub-IR 2.2).
The USAID People-Centered Governance (PCG) Activity is supporting local governments in southern Somalia to improve their effectiveness and legitimacy. To accomplish this objective, the project implements activities aligned with two mutually interrelated and reinforcing immediate results, IR1) that District Councils (DCs) are fairer and more inclusive and IR2) that DCs improve their performance. PCG will engage at the Federal, State and local levels and will eventually work in several districts within four states (i.e. Galmadug, Hirshabelle, Jubaland, and South West) Federal Member States of Somalia.
Role’s Purpose:
Considering the challenging security landscape with varying risks including, organized crime and armed violence, opportunistic crime, and natural disasters, DAI recognizes the very real risks to all team members. As a security protocol, DAI employs a community acceptance and where possible, a low profile and flexible risk approach to mitigate the identified security risks and facilitate project implementation. In consultation with DAI Global Security the Security Manager will draft and oversee a project security solution, to include risk assessments, project security and continuity plans, design physical security components, security training and provide information reports.
The Security Manager ensures that the security component serves as a project enabler prioritizing staff safety and security and asset protection. Effective communication and reporting to the project Chief of Party, Regional Security Director and DAI headquarters ensures that the project develops a culture of security and that operations are conducted in a DAI Security compliant manner. Coordination with Security Agencies, INGO Security Networks and other professional Security Networks such as the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) will be another responsibility, as well as oversight and quality control and assurance of the subcontracted static and mobile security services.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Strategic
- Develop and maintain project security plans, ensuring adherence to DAI crisis and incident management response procedures. Provide training to project leadership and other project staff with security responsibilities.
- Collaborate with all project staff to ensure strict compliance with required security policies and plans, fostering a comprehensive understanding of dynamic security issues and considerations across program geographies.
- Ensure DAI Global Security is informed of all incidents and that incidents are reported to the client through the COP and other designated project contacts.
- Conduct research to identify emerging threats and risks, and develop threat/vulnerability analysis to enhance preparedness, avoidance, response and evacuation plans.
- Provide regular verbal security updates to DAI Global Security and project leadership, ensuring they are informed of project travel decisions and activity implementation protocols as required.
- Serve as a key member of DAI project resilience and business continuity structures, relying on risk management best practices.
- Conduct security training for program staff in security protocols, including personal security, terrorism and conflict awareness and personal preparedness.
- Operational
- Quality Control/Quality Assurance of the local static security provider.
- Supports the COP in Incident Management when relating to project staff.
- Conducts DAI staff security briefings for all staff.
- In coordination with the COP and other members of the project leadership team, as appropriate, ensures any plans, movements, operations, proposed changes or recommendations are fair and reasonable and within the context of the project Security Plan.
- In coordination with the COP and other members of the project leadership team, as appropriate, provides prudent oversight of budgets, equipment, technology and personnel, and allocating resources to meet changing security needs and new threats in line with DAI Global Security Policy.
- Coordinates security procurement items such as communications equipment, vehicle tracking equipment, medical kits, security upgrades and ancillaries.
- Provide written briefings and updates as necessary, including areas to be avoided in cities and geographies where PCG Activity has travelers based on latest developments.
- Provide pre-deployment briefings for staff traveling to areas for the first time or other high-risk project locations.
- Support route assessments and provide advice on travel management.
- Escort program staff as needed.
- Conduct various drills, as per pre identified risks, on a scheduled biannual and as needed basis.
- Communication
- Communicates directly with the Africa & East Europe Regional Security Director
- Communicates directly with the COP, Team Leaders (TLs) and other project leadership staff.
- Liaison with key in-country coordinating bodies including Security Agencies as required.
- Provides Incident Management reporting to DAI Global Security as required.
- Produces weekly security reports that summarize main issues related to project security.
- Maintains and improves a coordinated security communication system with all other DAI projects in Kenya and Somalia.
- Compliance
- Ensures the security company contract is compliant with local regulations, client and DAI policies.
- Enforcement of DAI’s security policies and procedures across project offices.
- Understands DAI and USAID rules, regulations, processes and systems for compliant project implementation.
- Uphold DAI ethics and values in all aspects of the job.
Reporting
The Security Manager will report to the Chief of Party and the Regional Security Director.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field preferred.
- 9+ years of relevant professional experience, including experience with Somalia security forces (i.e., police, NISA, military, etc.) and private security or project management.
- Prior experience working with USAID- or other international donor-funded programs.
- An acute understanding of risk management, community acceptance and low-profile security management regarding all facets of security operations, and an ability to problem-solve and lead in high stress environments.
- Personal and professional network within Somalia, with a developed understanding of the Somali context, including clan structures, interaction with Somali and international security forces and government.
- Strong analytical and presentation skills verbally and in writing, with a demonstrated ability to communicate in English and Spanish clearly, concisely, and effectively with security staff and non-security staff alike.
- Applied Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, OneDrive, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and/or SharePoint.
- Prior work experience in Somalia
- Professional proficiency in writing, speaking, and reading English and Somali is required.
Skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Attention to detail, able to manage one’s work, take initiative, set schedules and meet deadlines without close supervision.
- Strong team player with a positive attitude.
- Flexible under pressure and in response to changing needs.
About DAI
DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.
