Security Officer

Secours Islamique France (SIF) is a non-governmental organization based in France that promotes international solidarity. Founded in 1991, SIF intends to bring relief and protect the lives of those threatened by natural disasters, armed conflicts, or economic collapse. SIF intervenes in more than 30 countries around the world through emergency relief, recovery, and development aid. It carries out operations in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Its goal is to help people suffering throughout the world, regardless of origin, religion, or gender.

SIF is seeking a committed and proactive Security Officer, based in Beirut, responsible for overseeing security across all operational locations with field visits as required.

Role Summary

The Security Officer is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of staff, assets, and operations in high-risk environments, particularly in red zone areas. The role oversees risk analysis, access negotiations, and the integration of security measures into all aspects of program implementation. The Security Officer also leads on staff capacity building, providing training on personal safety, security protocols, and emergency preparedness to ensure compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements. By proactively assessing risks and establishing effective mitigation strategies, the Security Officer enables staff to safely access communities and deliver humanitarian assistance in line with SIF’s mission and humanitarian principles.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Line Management

• Report technically to the Head of Mission

2. Humanitarian Access and Security Analysis

• Conduct regular security risk assessments, context analysis, and mapping of threats in red zone areas.
• Monitor and evaluate safety and security situations across all bases and ensure adjustment of plans when necessary.
• Ensure security assessments and mitigation measures are implemented in all SIF locations and areas of intervention.
• Supervise and validate the security clearance of field missions, ensuring staff movements are tracked and documented.
• Act as focal point for humanitarian access negotiations, building acceptance and ensuring adherence to humanitarian principles.

3. Security Framework Development and Integration

• Ensure the implementation and respect of security processes, guidelines, and tools defined for the mission (under the HoM’s responsibility).
• Ensure all staff (national and international) understand and correctly apply security policies, guidelines, and tools.
• Ensure the existence of up-to-date safety and security plans for each location and the overall mission, and share with HQ.
• Develop contingency and evacuation plans, and oversee crisis management measures (hibernation, relocation, communication tree, reference health centers).
• Ensure capitalization and archiving of all security management tools (movement tracking, validations, ToRs, etc.).
• Ensure security frameworks are regularly updated and integrated into program planning and logistics.
• Contribute to staff recruitment process for project teams.

4. Humanitarian Negotiation and Liaison

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local authorities, community leaders, and security stakeholders to facilitate safe access.
• Represent SIF in interagency security meetings and humanitarian coordination forums.
• Act as point of liaison with local authorities to ensure safe and timely access to project implementation areas.
• Develop and maintain a broad network of actors (NGOs, authorities, associations, universities, research organizations) to support situational awareness.

5. Capacity Building and Training

• Design, implement, and deliver security and safety trainings for all staff.
• Build staff capacity in personal safety, risk awareness, and emergency preparedness.
• Ensure induction and refresher trainings are provided to all new and existing staff.

6. Monitoring, Reporting, and Compliance

• Ensure every incident is reported immediately to the Head of Mission and documented.
• Draft and regularly distribute weekly and monthly security reports.
• Provide incident analysis and recommendations to inform decision-making.
• Ensure compliance of programs and locations with SIF’s security guidelines and donor requirements.
• Convene and chair Security Focal Group meetings, ensuring follow-up on action points.

7. Leadership and Accountability

• In the absence of the Head of Mission, assume responsibility for general mission security in close coordination with HQ.
• Work closely with the Head of Mission on all security issues, including updates to guidelines, incident reports, and geopolitical analysis.
• Ensure staff are accountable for following security protocols and that breaches are addressed appropriately.

8. Other

• Complies with corporate policies and standards: Safeguarding Children and child protection Policy, Anti –Fraud and Corruption Policy, Confidentiality Policy, Code of Conduct, Whistle Blowing, HR Policies and Procedures.
• Ensures commitment to SIF’s position on promoting women ‘rights and gender equality, and integrating this into all aspects of work.

The task list is neither exhaustive nor restrictive and is evolving according to the needs of the organization.

KNOWLEDGE/STUDY/DIPLOMA:

• Bachelor’s degree in Security Management, International Relations, Political Science, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in security management within NGOs, international agencies, or multinational organizations.
• Proven experience in high-risk or conflict settings, including risk assessment and access negotiations.
• Advanced in both oral and written English communications. French is a plus.

HARD SKILLS/SOFT SKILLS

Essential Hard Skills

• Security risk assessment, analysis, and reporting.
• Humanitarian access negotiation and liaison with stakeholders.
• Development and implementation of security frameworks, SOPs, and contingency plans.
• Training design and delivery on safety and security subjects.
• Incident and crisis management.
• Strong knowledge of humanitarian principles and accountability practices.

Desirable Hard Skills

• Familiarity with child safeguarding and protection standards.
• Proficiency in digital tools for security mapping, data collection, and reporting.
• Experience working in humanitarian red zones and with international donor-funded projects

Soft Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical and strategic thinking, with sound judgment under pressure.
• High sense of responsibility, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic, cross-functional team.
• Flexibility and adaptability to evolving security contexts.
• Problem-solving and decision-making in high-stress environments.
• Demonstrates strong alignment with humanitarian values and SIF’s mission.