Safety and Security Specialist – EDC Egypt – USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative Activity

Company Description

EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.  

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Project Description

The goal of the USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative Activity project is to improve the quality and relevance of teacher preparation in Egyptian public universities so that current and future primary school teachers have enhanced skills to increase student learning and advance the Ministry of Education and Technical Education’s (MOETE) reform. The activity will achieve this goal through the following results: 

• At least 7,500 pre-service teachers in undergraduate programs at Faculties of Education in five Egyptian universities have the skills and knowledge to apply practice-based, experiential teaching methods in the classroom. 
• 5,000 in-service teachers in postgraduate programs at Faculties of Education in 15 Egyptian universities apply practice-based, experiential teaching methods in the classroom. 
• 50 Government of Egypt personnel from the MOETE, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), and the Supreme Council of Universities demonstrate improved capacity to jointly plan, manage, and adapt teacher education. 
• Research Grants: EDC-Teacher Excellence Initiative goal is to provide capacity building for Faculty members by supporting research grants for 15 Faculty of Education members.

• Teacher Excellence Initiative component (3) target to develop a framework and manual for grants component and resources that help FOE faculty develop research grants applications and conduct research. Initiate request for applications (RFA) for the first cohort. Review research grants applications and announce award winners and start the implementation of the proposed research.

Job Description

Position Description

The Safety and Security Specialist will contribute to ensuring the overall safety and security of the project staff as well as risk mitigation measures related to project implementation. This will be accomplished primarily through information collection and triangulation with a diverse group of stakeholders, followed by analysis and developing, rolling out and monitoring adherence to organizational policies and procedures as they relate to staff health, risk mitigation and security. The Safety and Security Specialist would be expected to review OSAC updates and other/USG networks for safety and security updates. This position is expected to collaborate closely with EDC-Egypt Projects’ Directors and the Global Safety and Security Director.   

Essential Functions, but are not limited to: 

Safety & Security Project Implementation

• Work with the Chief of Party (COP) and other designated personnel to ensure coordination and compliance with the project specific Security Management Plan, policies, and procedures across all project sites.
• Advise COP and manage the day-to-day conduct of project security, ensuring preparation of adequate responses to security incidents as well as natural and manmade disasters.
• Devise, advise and implement access procedures for offices and international residences.
• check weekly staff travel schedules and projected travel itineraries to identify potential security and safety related issues.
• Serve as in country emergency point of contact for staff visiting from EDC Home Office.

Incident and Crisis Management

• Initiate emergency response actions in the event of an emergency or a direct or indirect threat.
• Serve as advisor to the Incident Management Team as well as each project office Incident Response Team (IRT).
• Coordinate all safety and security actions between USAID Teacher Excellence Initiative project and EDC in the event of a major incident or crisis.

Analysis

• Regular evaluation of the situation, flag potentially dangerous situations and significant deterioration to both HQ and Chief of Party.
• Determines, reviews, or changes the levels of security regarding acceptable tensions levels, precautionary measures to be adopted, and restrictions in movement, relocation, or evacuation of personnel.

Document & Resource Maintenance

• Develops, reviews and/or edits area specific threat/risk assessment protocols, including threat/risk assessment indictors, travel recommendations during a permissive environment, uncertain environment, and a hostile environment, concerning the project daily activities for office and field staff.
• Coordinates revisions of project specific Security Situation Plan and other security management documents on a quarterly basis or more frequently as required.
• Maintains and updates all project contingency planning material, reference documents and annexes on an annual basis.
• Advises COP to ensure budgetary requirements for safety and security are prioritized and implemented across all projects.
• Provide regular audit of security and safety procedures within project locations.

Training

• Train national and international staff at a minimum in personal security, security management, crisis management and access procedures. This includes providing security briefing and training to visiting staff.
• Organize periodic tabletop exercises to test the Security Situation Plan and maintains and periodically tests the staff telephone trees and warden system.

Networking & Communication

• Develops and strengthens contacts and liaises with local authorities and law enforcement, diplomatic/international organizations, and private security officers in close consultation with the COP.
• Serve as in country representative to relevant security forums within Egypt including OSAC Country Chapter.

EDC Premises and vehicles Safety and Security 

• Monitor and review the premises physical protection measures.
• Review and retrieve the security cameras records for analysis or investigations.
• Frequently check the security cameras feeds to detect any suspicious activities and initiate the proper response with the building security guards.
• Frequently check the security cameras during weekends and long holidays. Prepare a Quick Reaction Plan (QRP) to resolve any threats accordingly.
• Manage the Geo-Fencing for vehicles at the office and at the project sites, monitor any deviations and implement the corrective actions.

Vendor Oversight

• Liaises with the contracted security provider at country level and provides general residential security advice to all staff.
• Develop, review and/or monitor to ensure security contractor compliance and establish clear audit trails in relation to USAID TEI deliverables associated with the security provider’s contract and during all financial matters and transactions with the Director of Global Safety & Security and the USAID TEI Chief of Party.
• Reviews all security provider and related service contracts to ensure accuracy and value for service, (this duty completed in coordination with COP, Security Focal Points, and other designated personnel).

Qualifications

The candidate for the position of Security Specialist shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in relevant degree required. Master’s degree preferred.

Skills and Experience:

• 6 to 7 years’ experience of directly relevant security management experience in international non-governmental organizations or UN agencies.
• In-depth knowledge of the security context in Egypt.
• Ability to solve problems and complete tasks.
• Ability to work in a team and work independently.
• Excellent organizational, communication, computer, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent technical writing skills.
• Experience supervising staff would be an asset.
• Strong training and facilitator skills; ability to develop and implement successful training sessions.
• Previous experience working with USAID projects is required.
• Proven ability to work successfully within a cross cultural setting, negotiate diplomatically, and function well under pressure.

Language:

Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Additional Information

Job closing date:  April 25th, 2024

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.  No phone calls, please.

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EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.