Head of Safety and Access

Job Posting Organization:
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that focuses on advancing children's rights and equality for girls. Established over 85 years ago, Plan International operates in more than 80 countries, rallying support to transform the lives of children and ensure their rights are upheld. The organization is committed to addressing the root causes of challenges faced by girls and vulnerable children, including poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination. Plan International works collaboratively with children, young people, supporters, and partners to create a just world where every child can thrive, especially in times of crisis and adversity. Their mission is to drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels, leveraging their extensive reach, experience, and knowledge to support children's rights from birth to adulthood.

Job Overview:
The Head of Safety and Access at Plan International will play a crucial role in leading safety, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and access management in one of the most complex humanitarian environments globally, specifically in South Sudan. The country is currently facing significant challenges, including political and inter-ethnic conflict, displacement, food insecurity, and climate-related shocks. This position is vital for ensuring the safety of staff and the communities served, which is essential for the successful delivery of emergency and recovery programs across multiple states. The role involves setting and implementing a comprehensive safety and access strategy that aligns with humanitarian principles, enabling staff to operate safely and effectively in the field. The Head of Safety and Access will be responsible for conducting security risk assessments, developing security strategies, and overseeing incident management and crisis response, ensuring that the organization can continue its critical work in a high-risk environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Head of Safety and Access include leading countrywide security risk assessments, providing expert advice to the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and senior leadership, developing and implementing security strategies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and contingency plans across all operational areas. The role also involves overseeing incident management, crisis response, evacuation planning, and post-incident recovery. Coordination with UNDSS, NGOs, UN agencies, local authorities, and other security actors is essential. Additionally, the Head of Safety and Access will build a strong safety and security culture within the organization through training, coaching, and leadership, and will directly manage and support Safety and Access Coordinators and field security focal points. This position requires sound judgment, calm decision-making, and strong leadership skills under pressure, given the high-risk nature of the duty station.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Head of Safety and Access position must possess extensive experience in humanitarian security management, particularly in fragile or conflict-affected settings. A proven ability to lead incident response, crisis management, and evacuation planning is essential. Strong analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills are required, along with confidence in working with senior leaders, UN agencies, NGOs, and local authorities. A clear commitment to humanitarian principles and safeguarding is also necessary for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position typically includes a degree in a relevant field such as security management, international relations, humanitarian studies, or a related discipline. Advanced degrees or specialized training in security risk management or humanitarian response may be advantageous.

Experience:
The position requires significant experience in managing safety and access in complex or conflict-affected contexts. Candidates should have a strong track record of working in humanitarian security management, demonstrating their ability to navigate challenging environments and implement effective safety strategies.

Languages:
Excellent proficiency in English is mandatory for this role, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication in the local context and enhance engagement with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Juba, South Sudan, with approximately 30% travel to other areas of Sudan. It is a mandatory unaccompanied assignment, meaning that the successful candidate will not be accompanied by family members. The role is offered as a 13-month fixed-term contract, and the successful applicant will report directly to the Country Director. Plan International is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and strives to create a workplace environment that reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. The organization emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding children and young people, and pre-employment checks will be conducted in accordance with its policies. Additionally, Plan International participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, ensuring that applicants are aware of the recruitment procedures and the importance of safeguarding.