Job Purpose

• The Head of Safety and Access will oversee and implement GOAL’s safety and security strategy across our countries of operation. You’ll be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and monitoring of safety and security policies, procedures, and practices across all of GOAL’S programs. Reporting to the Global Director of Programme Operations you’ll work closely with senior management, program teams, and external stakeholders to ensure the safety and security of staff, beneficiaries, and organizational assets.
• The Head of Global Safety and Access will have 2 direct reports and will provide advice, support and training to GOAL’s country programme teams, particularly the safety and security focal points in each country/region. Ensuring that GOAL’s Crisis Management Plan plus all other security policy and guideline documents are relevant and up to date is a significant component of this role. This involves ensuring that the organisation has policies and procedures in place that guide and protect staff, that mitigate risk and that adhere to the highest standards of security management.
• In addition, the Head of Global Safety and Access will be required to conduct field assessments and evaluations and provide front line emergency support and cover in the absence of senior programme management staff as directed by their line manager.
• **Please note regular international travel will be required as part of this role (up to 50%). GOAL is an Irish based NGO with HQ in Dublin Ireland, this role could be based in Ireland, UK or any GOAL country of Operation**

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Lead on the development and maintenance of organisational level Safety and Access Strategy, Policies and Guidelines.
• Ensure that the organisational travel and in country travel policies integrate safety and security management.
• Regularly assess and report on compliance with policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Develop procedures for incident reporting and ensure that these are adhered to across the organisation.
  Working with the Global Safety and Access Team deliver a strategy to ensure that GOAL is identifying security risks for partners

Risk Assessment and Management:

• Undertake security risk assessments/audits of programme areas and provide informed recommendations on the security situation and level of risk.
• Undertake site/office/residence safety and security assessments as request,
  Develop systems to allow such security assessments to be carried out by staff.
• Undertake country office security compliance monitoring and rapid response to incidents.

Reporting and documentation

• Prepare regular reports, updates, and briefings on safety and security for senior management, the Board of Directors, and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to strategic and programmatic discussions with the management team by providing continuous analysis of the security, economic and political context in country and field operations.

Training & Support

• Provide support to field offices and HQ staff identifying training needs and solutions, including the identification of appropriate in-country options.
• Ensure that all staff in the organisation have the required Safety and Access training prior to undertaking travel/deployment and that this is renewed according to policy.
• Promote a culture of safety awareness and proactive risk management throughout the organisation.

Team Management

• Provide line management support, orientation and guidance to the Global Safety and Access Advisers.
• Provide leadership and support to safety and access staff based in country programmes.
• Work with safety and access focal points across the organisation to support a team culture and a consistent approach to the management of security.

Representation

• Developing and maintaining strong networks with external security personnel relevant to GOAL’s operations (and potential new areas of operation); regularly liaise with INGOs, GISF, INSO, UN, et al and other relevant partners on matters related to safety and security.

Crises Response

• Develop and implement contingency plans and protocols for responding to emergencies, crises, and critical incidents.
• Assist with emergencies particularly, successful candidate will be required to travel within 24 hours of crises response.

The Person

• Significant and proven safety and security experience at an INGO, private organization, or a security consultancy organization
• Min 2 years’ experience working in an insecure environment and humanitarian response context.
• Experience creating safety and security strategy, plan, policies and SOPs.
• Experience working in a multicultural setting is desirable.

Skills and Competencies:

• Ability to prioritize, manage, and implement multiple high-level projects in a timely manner, even in fast-changing contexts.
• Ability to make quick decisions in emergencies or when rapid response is needed.
• Ability to communicates complex concepts effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Language: Proficiency in English is necessary, and proficiency in French, Spanish or Arabic is an added advantage.