Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) focuses on providing creative legal assistance in fragile and conflict-affected states. Our focus is on sexual violence and forced displacement. We have a presence in South Sudan, the UK, Kenya and Somalia.

LAW is currently undertaking two projects with the Australian and Swedish Embassies in Nairobi that require frequent travel to Mogadishu. Both projects also include a focus on improving the safety and security of legal aid providers operating within Somalia.

LAW is now looking for a Mogadishu-based security expert with expertise in the security situation in Somalia and best practices in operating in hostile environments for international NGOs and national partners. The position will consist of ten full days of work, as well as ad hoc advice provided on a monthly basis for 12 months.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Reports to

Legal Advisor or Executive Director, depending on task

Job Summary

The Security Advisor will be responsible for reviewing the security protocols adopted by LAW and developed by LAW for its national partners, conducting trainings for national partners on the implementation of the protocol and providing security risk management and safety advice/support to the Executive Director and Nairobi staff for LAW visits to Somalia on an ad hoc basis.

Functions/Key Results Expected

Reviewing security protocols: 6 days

Responsibilities:

a. Reviewing the security protocol drafted by LAW for its own office and for its international partners. These protocols are very similar with slight differences.

b. Suggesting changes to security protocols;

c. Re-drafting sections of security protocols where necessary.

Conducting security training: 4 days

Responsibilities:

a. Preparing and conducting a training on the implementation of the security protocol with Somali Legal Aid Providers in Mogadishu International Airport.

Ad hoc advice and emergency response: monthly basis for 12 months

Responsibilities:

a. To be the first point of call for LAW staff if they are in a crisis situation and to organise for the staff to be moved to safety;

b. To escalate matters to the LAW Executive Director in cases of crisis or emergency;

c. Maintaining a good understanding of the Somalia threat environment and all risks relevant to LAW business operations.

d. Conducting pre-visit risk assessments and security advisory planning support for LAW trips.

e. Liaison with all relevant security agencies to ensure situational awareness. These will include Somali security forces, diplomatic missions, private security companies and informal security networks.

f. Maintaining close liaison with LAW staff during visits through face to face meetings, mobile, SMS and Skype communications. During visits he will ensure that;

(1) Threat reports are disseminated as quickly as possible.

(2) Appropriate risk mitigation measures are recommended to counter emerging threats.

(3) During ongoing major security incidents, he will ensure that LAW staff are kept updated on a regular basis.

g. To work closely with LAW staff to ensure that risk and safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) are implemented.

h. The handling of incidents and emergency response as per SOPs to ensure that staff are kept safe during times of crisis.

i. Liaison with Somalia based service providers for transport, accommodation, close protection and logistics.

Journey Management

LAW staff will endeavor as much as possible to ensure that visits to Somalia are planned with sufficient notice not only to ensure that travel and accommodation can be booked but also risk assessments made. This is particularly important where staff are travelling from safe locations such as MIA. In consultation with LAW the Security Advisor will recommend a journey management system and provide training/guidance as required.

Skills and Qualifications Required:

• Security expert with at least 10 years experience in hostile environments;
• At least 2 years experience in Somalia with knowledge and experience of Somali culture and context;
• Strong relationships with key security actors and stakeholders in Somalia;
• Experience in running security trainings with NGOs;
• Excellent written and oral English, research and drafting skills, organizational and analytical skills;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work on own and take initiative;
• Ability to be flexible and meet deadlines;
• Ability to manage relationships at all levels, possess excellent negotiation and communication skills.

Commencement: January 2017

For more information, please contact Clare Brown at brown@legalactionworldwide.org.