Access and Safety Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that has been advancing children’s rights and equality for girls for over 85 years. Established to address the challenges faced by children, particularly girls, the organization operates in more than 80 countries worldwide. With a mission to empower children and young people, Plan International focuses on tackling the root causes of poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination that hinder the potential of every child. The organization collaborates with various stakeholders, including children, young people, supporters, and partners, to drive changes in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels, ensuring that children are supported from birth until they reach adulthood. Plan International is committed to creating a just world where all children can thrive, and it continues to work tirelessly towards achieving equality for all.

Job Overview:
The Access and Safety Advisor plays a crucial role within the NGO Forum Secretariat, which is hosted by Plan International South Sudan. This position is responsible for leading the NGO Forum’s initiatives on humanitarian access and the safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security of its members. The Advisor will provide strategic advice and analysis to address access constraints faced by NGOs, strengthen safety and security information-sharing systems, and represent the collective interests of NGOs in various national and sub-national forums. The role is essential for ensuring safe, principled, and unimpeded humanitarian action through proactive stakeholder engagement and high-quality analysis. The Advisor will also be accountable to the NGO Forum Secretariat Director, ensuring compliance with Plan International's policies and procedures while contributing to the overall mission of the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Access Coordination and Strategic Engagement: Lead the NGO Forum's engagement with government authorities, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders to address humanitarian access constraints. Support members in developing strategies to enhance operational access and principled humanitarian delivery. Represent NGO interests in coordination platforms and facilitate regular meetings for information exchange and collective problem-solving. Produce strategic briefs and situational updates for stakeholders.
• Safety and Security Coordination: Provide technical leadership for safety and security coordination, including developing SOPs and quality-assurance processes. Maintain systems for collecting and disseminating security information, and facilitate security briefings and training for members. Represent NGO security interests with relevant bodies and provide timely advice during significant incidents.
• Information Management, Analysis, and Knowledge Sharing: Produce analytical products on access and security trends, develop information-sharing protocols, and track patterns in incidents affecting the NGO community. Facilitate learning events and contribute to advocacy and strategic engagement efforts.
• Representation and Partnerships: Co-chair the Access Working Group and build relationships with UN, government institutions, and other stakeholders. Promote evidence-based dialogue on access and safety while maintaining member confidentiality.
• Secretariat Leadership and Organizational Responsibilities: Participate in the Senior Management Group, contribute to strategic planning and donor reporting, and support preparedness for operational developments affecting the NGO community. Ensure compliance with governance arrangements and safeguarding policies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess extensive professional experience in humanitarian access negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and humanitarian diplomacy in complex emergency settings. Proven experience in security risk management and contextual analysis is essential, along with a strong understanding of the political and humanitarian context in South Sudan. Candidates should demonstrate experience working with humanitarian coordination structures and engaging with various stakeholders, including government authorities and UN agencies. Strong analytical, report-writing, and communication skills are required, as well as excellent networking and relationship-management abilities. A relevant university degree in international relations, political or social sciences, or a related field is necessary, or equivalent substantial professional experience. Candidates must have a strong command of written and spoken English and be proficient in common office and information-management tools.

Educational Background:
A relevant university degree in international relations, political or social sciences, security studies, humanitarian affairs, development studies, or another relevant field is required. Alternatively, substantial professional experience in a related area may be considered in lieu of formal education. Candidates should also have knowledge of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">humanitarian law and the INGO sector, as well as familiarity with humanitarian codes of conduct.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 8 years of experience in humanitarian aid security management, with a background in law enforcement agencies being advantageous. Experience in similar NGO coordination, access, humanitarian diplomacy, or advisory roles is desirable. Familiarity with OCHA, INSO, UNMISS/UNDSS, and humanitarian access/security coordination mechanisms is also beneficial. Previous professional experience in South Sudan is a plus.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Knowledge of Arabic and/or relevant South Sudanese languages is considered desirable but not essential.

Additional Notes:
This position is a 12-month fixed-term contract based in Juba, South Sudan, with occasional travel to field locations, including remote and insecure environments, depending on operational requirements and approved security arrangements. The role reports to the South Sudan NGO Forum Secretariat Director. The closing date for applications is 10 September 2026 at 21:59 PM UK time. Plan International is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that its workforce reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. The organization emphasizes safeguarding children and young people and will conduct pre-employment checks in accordance with its policies.