Regional Security Advisor Africa

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Description

Cordaid is an international organisation for development and humanitarian assistance, working especially in fragile and conflict-affected regions. Christian values of human dignity, justice, compassion, and care for the earth guide our work. Our mission is to work towards a world without poverty and with equitable opportunities for all.

More than 1.9 billion people live in these regions. Their quest is universal: to live in dignity. Cordaid addresses the root causes of fragility. We listen to people's needs and support locally led programmes to strengthen and improve healthcare, education, agrifood and justice systems. Where disaster strikes, we join our partners in humanitarian action.

Cordaid is rooted in the Netherlands and has office branches in 14 countries in Africa and Asia with decades of in-country expertise. Approximately 1,000 employees dedicate themselves every day to fulfilling Cordaid's mission. We are also a member of international networks and alliances, such as Caritas Internationalis, ACT Alliance, and CIDSE.

Cordaid is looking for a

Regional Security Advisor Africa

(40 hours, based in a Cordaid office in Africa)

The Cordaid security team is composed of the Global Security Advisor, Regional Security Advisors, National Security Officers, and Security Focal Points, in the countries where Cordaid programmes are operational, forming together a Community of Experts that share and continuously improve standardized ways of working. The Regional Security Advisor reports to the Global Security Advisor.

Cordaid’s Africa region spans eleven countries, several of which are considered fragile or have experienced significant security challenges, including kidnappings, acts of terrorism and public unrest. Operating in such environments requires continuous monitoring and a proactive, context-driven approach to security management.

The Regional Security Advisor (RSA) provides expert advice and regular reporting to the Global Security Advisor on regional and country-specific security contexts. The RSA supports and advises country-level security focal points and country security advisors to ensure that the Country Security Management is effectively developed, implemented, monitored, and reviewed in line with Cordaid’s global policies, standards, and requirements. Acting as the regional security expert, the RSA offers both strategic and operational leadership in managing security risks and strengthening preparedness across the region.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Technical Support:

• Provide remote support to National Security Advisors (NSA), and Security Focal Points (SFP) across the region.
• Conduct field visits to countries within the region. These visits are planned in advance but can also occur at short notice and under challenging conditions.
• Advise and assist National Security Advisors, Security Focal Points and managers in the development and maintenance of country-level security procedures and plans, ensuring they are complete, up to date, and meet required standards.
• Support incident and crisis management, including assistance to Crisis Management Teams, coordination of lessons learned, and implementation of follow-up actions or procedural changes.
• Facilitate and provide opportunities for learning, development, and knowledge exchange at all levels. Identify staff security training and development needs and ensure access through proper planning and resourcing.
• Deliver briefings for staff and visitors as required.

Monitoring & Evaluation / Reporting & Analysis:

• Monitor compliance with Cordaid’s security policies, plans, and procedures at the country level. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting an annual review of each country’s Security Manual and reviewing incident reports.
• Conduct security audits across all countries in the region.
• Provide guidance on Cordaid’s security tools, templates, and standards.
• Ensure proper follow-up on security incidents, both upward and downward in the management structure. This includes verifying that advice and recommendations are consistent with Cordaid policy and that corrective actions are implemented.
• Report regularly on regional security management performance, including:
  • Maintaining a regional incident database.
  • Submitting a monthly security report that includes an overview of incidents, contextual shifts (if any), and trend analysis.
  • Sharing insights with relevant line management and the Global Security Advisor (GSA).

Managing available resources:

• Manage and coordinate requests for security support from country offices, ensuring timely communication with the Global Security Advisor.
• Ensure the equitable allocation of security resources across countries in the region, based on risk and operational need.
• Provide temporary coverage or back-up for in-country security leads during short-term absences, particularly in high-risk or volatile contexts.

Representing Cordaid Security in the region:

• Coordinate and follow up on Cordaid’s participation in external security networks, including those of key partners such as Caritas and ACT Alliance.
• Provide proposals and strategic recommendations to strengthen security management frameworks and practices.
• Play an active role in programmatic emergencies, including planning and, when needed, deploying to new or rapid-onset emergency contexts in a support capacity.

Requirements

Qualifications & Level of Experience

• A Master diploma in a field relevant to Security Risk Management, or the experience that equivalates this.
• At least 4 years’ experience as a Country Security Advisor with a humanitarian organisation, or alternatively, at least 2 years’ experience as a Regional Security Advisor in Africa in the humanitarian sector.
• In-depth knowledge of regional security dynamics and trends, and the ability to recognise and interpret early warning signals and contextual changes.
• Experience in incident and crisis management with demonstrated ability to advise and support field teams remotely.
• Proven diplomatic skills in engaging with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in delivering field-based training.

Personal and Physical Attributes 

• You reside in one of the countries where Cordaid is operational (Where We Work - Cordaid International) and have the right to work there.
• You are fluent in written and spoken English and French. Cordaid works in both Anglophone and Francophone parts of Africa, fluency in both English and French is an essential requirement for this role. Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to complete a language proficiency test as part of the recruitment process.

• A strong understanding of humanitarian principles and humanitarian access.
• Cultural sensitivity, with the ability to work effectively in diverse cultural settings.
• Self-motivated and able to work effectively without close supervision. Diplomatic and persistent when faced with aversion.
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, in the evening or during the weekend, and commitment to travel frequently between the countries served, sometimes on short notice, for longer periods, and to remote/insecure locations.

Others/Extra Details

What we offer

• A responsible position in a professional organization;
• A varied role where initiative is encouraged;
• A global organization with a focus on social entrepreneurship;
• Good working conditions;
• National contract with a competitive compensation and benefits packages;
• A position for 1 year with the possibility of extension, starting as soon as possible.

How to apply

Interested and qualifying applicants can submit their application including a motivation letter and CV in English to the attention of the Senior Human Resources Coordinator, including the contact details of references from the last two employers using the link below: https://cordaid.hrmagic.co/careers/job?id=OTk0

Your application must be received by 30th September 2025 at the latest.

Cordaid is fully committed to a safe working environment and the highest integrity standards. To read more on our commitment to Integrity, click here: https://www.cordaid.org/en/who-we-are/integrity-and-code-of-conduct/ An integrity screening will be part of this application procedure. Cordaid signed up to the IASC Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

An assessment and / or a presentation of a “case study” can be part of the selection procedure.

For more information about Cordaid, please visit our website: www.cordaid.org

Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.