Safty and Security Coordinator

About this role

About Mercy Corps Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004 working to drive bold and transformative ideas, working closely with government, the private sector and civil society actors to build a more resilient country, ensuring that programs are responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate and conflict-affected communities through market systems development for improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water to thrive in the face of crises. Our strategy focuses on the four outcome areas of: 1) Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets; 2) Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food; 3) Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities; and 4) People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use. Currently we operate in the regional states of Afar, Amhara, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, Southern Ethiopia, Tigray and Addis Ababa city administration working with a diverse base of donors that includes the U.S. Department of State, the European Union (EU), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the United Nations (UN), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN), Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA), and a range of other institutional and private foundations. Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with frequent travel to field locations across Ethiopia Position Status: Full-time, Regular Salary Level: (Refer to the relevant salary scale) Risk Level: ☐ Level 3 (Level 3: Frequent contact with participants, direct contact with children, access to sensitive data, and/or high level of accountability The Program / Department / Team The Operations team supports Mercy Corps Ethiopia programs through the systems, services and resources needed for effective delivery. The safety and security function works with country and field teams to identify and manage risks to personnel, assets and operations, strengthen preparedness and support safe programme access. The function operates within Mercy Corps country and global safety and security policies and established decision-making arrangements.. The Position The Safety and Security Coordinator coordinates the day-to-day implementation of safety and security measures across Mercy Corps Ethiopia. The role supports security planning and risk assessments, monitors the operating context, maintains security information and incident systems, coordinates field movement and emergency preparedness, and provides staff briefings and training. The position reports directly to the Head of Operations, with technical reporting to the Security Manager on security standards, risk analysis, planning and incident response. The coordinator translates approved plans into practical actions, follows up compliance and corrective measures, and provides timely recommendations to programme and operations colleagues. Country security strategy, acceptance of significant risk and crisis decisions remain with the authorized country leadership and security management structures. Essential Responsibilities SAFETY AND SECURITY MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION Coordinate day-to-day implementation of Mercy Corps Ethiopia safety and security procedures across country and field offices, working with programme and operations teams and designated security focal points. Support the development and periodic review of the Security Management Plan (SMP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), contingency plans and security risk assessments. Prepare updates for technical review by the Security Manager and approval through established country processes. Conduct security assessments and routine inspections of offices, accommodation, programme sites and activity venues; identify vulnerabilities, recommend practical mitigation measures and track agreed corrective actions. Maintain accessible systems for sharing security alerts, procedures and emergency contacts with staff. Coordinate translation and localization of key documents and confirm that field teams understand their responsibilities. Monitor implementation of applicable organizational policies, national requirements and donor security provisions; flag gaps to the Head of Operations and Security Manager and follow up agreed actions. Coordinate journey-management arrangements with field teams, fleet and logistics staff, including route checks, travel briefings, movement tracking and missed check-in follow-up. Apply approved movement restrictions and promptly escalate changes in risk. SECURITY AND CONTEXTUAL RISK ANALYSIS Monitor security, political, conflict, social and environmental developments affecting Mercy Corps operations in Ethiopia, including field locations and travel routes. Identify emerging risks and their implications for staff safety, access and programme continuity. Gather and triangulate information from field teams, partners, established security networks and credible open sources. Clearly distinguish verified facts, unconfirmed reports and analytical judgement. Prepare regular security updates, weekly briefings, incident trend analyses and location-specific risk assessments for review by the Security Manager and timely use by programme and operations teams. Maintain incident mapping, risk registers and other practical visualization tools. Recommend proportionate mitigation measures, movement restrictions or Go/No-Go options for decisions by the authorized country security decisionmakers. Provide timely security input to programme planning, field assessments, major events and changes in operating arrangements. Use conflict-sensitive language and consider different risks faced by staff, partners and communities. SECURITY PLANNING PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY SUPPORT Coordinate operational preparedness for evacuation, relocation, hibernation and other foreseeable emergencies under the technical guidance of the Security Manager and in line with approved contingency plans. Maintain staff accountability arrangements, emergency contact lists, communications trees and information on assembly points, safe locations and emergency support services; review these regularly with field teams. Work with operations and logistics colleagues to check the availability, condition and readiness of security and communications equipment, first-aid supplies and fire-safety equipment. Report gaps and follow up maintenance or replacement. Organize scenario discussions, tabletop exercises and practical drills with relevant teams; document lessons and follow up improvements to procedures and readiness. Identify equipment, training and other security resource needs and provide timely inputs to operational workplans and budgets for management consideration. INCIDENT REPORTING AND RESPONSE COORDINATION Act as a designated operational contact for security incidents, promptly notify the Head of Operations and Security Manager, and support immediate protective actions within approved procedures and delegated authority. Coordinate initial information gathering, staff accountability, communications and operational follow-up during incidents. Support the Incident Management Team and implement response tasks assigned by the Security Manager or authorized incident lead. Maintain the incident reporting and tracking system so incidents, near misses and significant threats are reported promptly and accurately documented. Support authorized fact-finding and after-action reviews while protecting confidentiality. Track corrective actions and lessons from incidents and support updates to briefings, risk assessments and procedures following technical review. Liaise with authorities, community representatives and other external contacts during incidents when delegated. Escalate sensitive engagement and refer safeguarding, ethics and other specialized matters through the appropriate reporting channels. STAFF SECURITY TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING Deliver safety and security inductions and context-specific briefings for new staff, consultants and visitors, including movement procedures, communications, incident reporting and emergency actions. Work with the Security Manager to identify training needs and coordinate an annual safety and security training plan, maintaining records of participation and follow-up needs. Deliver or facilitate practical sessions on personal safety, situational awareness, journey management, emergency preparedness and conflict-sensitive behavior; coordinate specialist training where required. Provide practical support and refresher briefings to field security focal points and relevant partner staff, adapting materials to local languages, working conditions and different staff needs. Promote early reporting of concerns, individual responsibility for safety and consistent application of security procedures through routine engagement with staff and field teams. EXTERNAL COORDINATION AND OPERATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS Participate in relevant INGO, UN-led and local security coordination forums as delegated; share operationally relevant information with the Security Manager and affected teams in line with information-sharing protocols. Maintain working relationships with partner security focal points, relevant authorities, community leaders and other authorized contacts to support situational awareness, acceptance, access and emergency coordination. Provide practical security guidance to programme and operations colleagues and coordinate agreed mitigation measures during activity planning and implementation. Support partner security reviews and capacity strengthening as appropriate, recognizing differences in exposure and resources and avoiding unreasonable transfer of risk to partners or communities. Keep the Head of Operations and Security Manager informed of material coordination issues, access constraints and external requests that require management decisions or commitments beyond delegated authority. SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work. Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members. Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options. Handle security reports, movement details, personal data and sensitive incident information securely, applying need-to-know access and Mercy Corps information-management requirements. Supervisory Responsibility None. Provides technical guidance and coordination support to designated security focal points and relevant staff. Any formal supervisory responsibilities will follow the approved country structure Accountability Reports Directly To: Head of Operations Technical Reporting To: BSP Ethiopia Country Lead Works Directly With: Country and field programme teams; field and area leadership; security focal points; operations, logistics, fleet, procurement, HR and other support teams; implementing partners; and authorized external security and access coordination contacts. Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Success Factors The successful Coordinator will combine sound security judgement with practical coordination and disciplined follow-through. They will assess changing and incomplete information, explain risks clearly, recommend workable mitigation measures and recognise when to escalate. They will build trust with field teams and partners, remain calm during incidents, protect sensitive information and help colleagues apply security procedures consistently. Close communication with the Head of Operations and Security Manager will be essential to timely support and clear accountability. Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with frequent travel to field locations, including remote and potentially insecure areas. Travel may involve limited infrastructure, communications or amenities and overnight stays outside Addis Ababa. The position must comply with Mercy Corps safety, security and movement procedures and adapt work and travel arrangements as conditions change. Ongoing Learning In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development Team Engagement and Effectiveness Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work. We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together. Equal Employment Opportunity Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law. Safeguarding & Ethics Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme . We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline (integrityhotline@mercycorps.org).