BACKGROUND

Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. Creative Associates International has been working in Nigeria for more than a decade to support education programs in Nigeria.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Creative Associates International in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching (Adamawa) and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils. The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform. The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains. LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

Position Location: Maiduguri, Borno Nigeria

Job Summary:  

The Program Security Officer’s overall mission is to keep all LEARN staff in the Borno and Yobe States safe from harm. S/he has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day management and coordination of operational field security activities, providing continuous security and contextual information to the LEARN team in the Borno and Yobe States. The Program Security Officer (PSO) will report to the Program Security Manager (PSM). The PSO will be based in Maiduguri with frequent travel to the field in Borno and Yobe States.  

Essential Duties: 

• Work with the PSM to manage the safety and security of LEARN staff in the Borno and Yobe States.
• Implement security procedures that comply with the LEARN Security Plan, in collaboration with the PSM. This will include emergency response drills and communication procedures for the project.
• Provides security, safety and risk mitigation advice and recommendations to LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States.
• Ensure that LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States comply with project security procedures, including travel protocols.
• Monitor and analyze the ongoing threat environment faced by the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States. Distribute threat warnings to staff as appropriate.
• Ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are taken by the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States to respond to the threats or changes in threats faced by the project. This is to include physical protection measures, safe working routines, movement restrictions, protection of equipment and security staff provision, as required.
• Report security incidents, violations and recommended corrective actions as appropriate to the PSM.
• Ensure all visitors receive appropriate security orientations and briefings.
• Conduct regular training and drills for staff.
• Be able to assist with an out-of-hours emergency response to the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States, if needed.
• All the above includes ensuring security protocols are understood and security drills are periodically conducted with the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States.

 The PSO must understand, brief and regularly train all the LEARN staff in Borno and Yobe States on:

• The need for all staff to maintain a good level of situational awareness and to report concerns.
• Project communication procedures including emergency phone trees, WhatsApp alert groups and contact lists.
• Office emergency response procedures including fire evacuation, direct threat lockdown, etc.
• The need to avoid all demonstrations, possible demo sites and areas where crowd trouble could start.
• The location of the nearest medical facilities.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Required Education & Experience, Skills and Abilities

• BA degree highly required in related field
• At least 4 years of prior work experience (4+ years of general work experience and including at least 2+ years in security management in the context of international development required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Previous experience in the areas of risk management or civil, police or military security; ideally as a full-time risk or security manager of a project or organization.
• Experience working in Borno and Yobe States.
• Experience with the implementation of security policies, procedures and protocols.
• Previous experience with USAID funded projects is desired
• Proven ability to work well as a team and in a collaborative environment.
• Excellent organizational skills, flexible work style and detail oriented.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and Microsoft Office software.
• Thorough knowledge of spoken and written English highly desired, average level required.
• Proficiency in Hausa required.

Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.