Safety and Security Officer at COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale

Benue Kaduna Katsina Plateau
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COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an humanitarian, non confessional and independent organization that fights against all kinds of poverty to make the world a better place. Founded in 1965 by Vincenzo Barbieri (Italian “father” of international volunteering), COOPI is based in Milan and it has 20 local offices in the South of the World. It works to assist populations struck by emergencies (disasters and conflicts) and to facilitate their civil, economic and social development.

The association intervenes in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East in collaboration with local actors (civil society, public administration and so on). In 2013 it has implemented 160 projects. COOPI works in different sectors: agriculture, water and sanitation, health care, humanitarian assistance, human rights, education, socio-economic services, migration. All sectors are related to one another in the programs launched by COOPI all of them interrelated.

COOPI is also committed to the Child Sponsorship programme in 8 countries (Perù, Haiti, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Uganda and DR Congo), and provides food, education, health and protection to 2.700 children. COOPI also operates in Italy, through awareness and fund-raising campaigns, volunteering activities (almost 400 volunteers), the promotion of the Cooperation and Development Master course at the Institute for Advanced Study of Pavia, and finally the participation to several NGOs associations, among which Link 2007 and AGIRE (Italian Humanitarian Emergency Response Agency) are the most important. The organization is supported by important institutional donors, local institutions, foundations, companies and citizens among the main donors, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) recognizes COOPI as an important partner.

Location: Benue, Kaduna, Katsina, Plateau

Closing date: September 8, 2025.

Job Description
Main Responsibilities and Tasks:

  • The Security Officer will play a critical role in ensuring the safety of staff, assets and operations under the project.
  • Operating in volatile and conflict-prone areas, the officer will monitor local security dynamics, advise field teams and implement risk mitigation strategies.
  • This role requires strong contextual awareness, discretion and a proactive approach to humanitarian safety management.

Duties and Responsibilities
Security Monitoring & Risk Assessment:

  • Continuously monitor local security trends, threats, and incidents across project LGAs.
  • Conduct regular risk assessments and update security plans accordingly.
  • Liaise with local authorities, community leaders, and security networks to gather intelligence.
  • Provide timely alerts and recommendations to field teams during high-risk situations.

Staff Safety & Movement Coordination:

  • Support safe movement of staff and assets between field locations.
  • Ensure pre-departure briefings and movement tracking protocols are followed.
  • Maintain updated contact lists and emergency communication procedures.
  • Coordinate with logistics teams to ensure vehicles are equipped with safety kits and communication tools.

Incident Response & Reporting:

  • Lead initial response to security incidents involving staff or assets.
  • Document and report incidents using standardized formats.
  • Support post-incident debriefings and lessons learned exercises.
  • Maintain confidentiality and sensitivity in handling security-related information.

Training & Capacity Building:

  • Conduct safety inductions for new staff and refresher sessions for field teams.
  • Promote awareness of Do No Harm principles, conflict sensitivity, and personal safety.
  • Support community mobilizers and volunteers with basic safety guidance tailored to their roles.

Compliance & Coordination:

  • Ensure adherence to COOPI’s safety protocols and donor security requirements.
  • Participate in coordination meetings with other humanitarian actors and security agencies.
  • Maintain updated documentation including security SOPs, contingency plans, and risk maps.

Additional job responsibilities:

  • The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within the reasonableness level of skills and experience.

Qualifications
Essential:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Security Management, Criminology, Political Science, or related field.
  • Minimum 3 years’ experience in field security roles within humanitarian or development settings.
  • Strong understanding of local conflict dynamics and community structures.
  • Fluency in English and at least one local language spoken in target states.

Desired Experience:

  • Prior experience working in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, or Katsina.
  • Familiarity with NGO safety protocols and INSO coordination mechanisms.
  • Basic first aid and emergency response training.

Skills and Technical Competencies:

  • High integrity and discretion in handling sensitive information.
  • Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
  • Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing security environments.
  • Proficiency in using mobile communication tools and GPS-based tracking apps.
  • Commitment to humanitarian principles and inclusive safety practices.

Desirable:

  • Prior experience working in Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, or Katsina.
  • Familiarity with NGO safety protocols and INSO coordination mechanisms.
  • Basic first aid and emergency response training.

What We Offer

  • A chance to contribute to transformative climate and peacebuilding initiatives.
  • A collaborative and inclusive work environment.
  • Opportunities for professional development and learning.

Application Closing Date
8th September, 2025.

How To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should: