Security Advisor (Focal Point)

Security Advisor – MSF Ubuntu & MSF OCA

About the Role

The Security Advisor enhances security risk management by supporting operations through developing guidelines, conducting training, and analysing contextual risks to ensure staff safety and operational continuity. The role promotes a community-based security approach, prioritising acceptance, trust, and engagement with local communities to inform security strategies and strengthen early warning, mitigation, and response mechanisms.

Unusually, the role will be embedded into the MSF OCA Security Focal Point Unit for the first 18 months to “learn by doing” and link MSF Ubuntu to OCA tools, methodologies, and protocols, ensuring interdependence and a high-quality security management system. Initially positioned within the MSF Ubuntu and MSF OCA Operational Departments, the role operates under the guidance of the respective Ubuntu Director and OCA Deputy Director of Operations to support programme and HQ operations in security management and incident response.

Given the start-up nature of MSF Ubuntu, the Security Advisor will be part of the MSF OCA Security team, with time allocated to “learning by doing” and supporting OCA. It is envisioned that circa 90% of time will be spent on OCA activities in 2026-2027, reducing to 60% in 2028, 20% in 2029, and 0% by 2030.

The role also represents MSF Ubuntu in intersectional security platforms and collaborates with relevant intersectional units (ISA, SIMM, ILD) to contribute to coherent, principled, and effective security and incident reporting and management frameworks. The position is hierarchically accountable to the Deputy Director of Operations MSF OCA and functionally accountable to the Director of Operations MSF Ubuntu.

Tasks & Responsibilities

Strategic Responsibilities

• Strengthen security risk management & operational continuity: Lead and support the integration of security risk management into operations by developing, updating, and reviewing security tools.
• Promote community-based security & acceptance approaches: Advance a security approach centred on acceptance, trust, and engagement with local communities to enhance access, early warning systems, and effective mitigation and response strategies.
• Provide strategic security support to operations (HQ & field): Support operations and coordination teams by advising on security management, contributing to incident preparedness and response, and ensuring alignment between field realities and organisational security priorities.
• Foster collaboration & intersectional alignment: Represent MSF Ubuntu in intersectional security platforms and collaborate with key units (e.g., ISA, SIMM, ILD) and support OCA to ensure coherent, principled, and effective security frameworks, reporting, and practices.

Technical and Operational Responsibilities

Security Strategy, Frameworks & Reference Documents

• Brief and debrief coordinators to strengthen security management capacity among HQ and field leadership through structured knowledge exchange.
• Lead or participate in transversal security research topics in line with MSF Ubuntu and/or OCA interests.
• Develop, update, and promote the use of security reference documents, SOPs, contingency plans, and mission security documentation.
• Monitor adherence to security frameworks and provide corrective recommendations where gaps are identified.

Security Risk Analysis & Operational Advisory

• Advise operational line management on security risk analysis and management aligned with operational and security strategies and frameworks.
• Support missions in insecure and high-risk contexts with in-depth analysis of context-specific risk drivers and appropriate mitigation measures.
• Provide strategic recommendations to coordination teams following debriefings of key field staff, including identification of transversal risks.
• Follow up on updates of mission risk analyses, critical incident preparedness, simulations, and implementation of HQ recommendations.
• Provide specific security inputs to operational strategies, project openings, scale-ups, suspensions, or relocations.

Security Information Systems, Data Management & Reporting

• Ensure systematic recording, documentation, and classification of all security incidents affecting MSF staff, assets, and operations, including oversight of Sindy use and reporting standards.
• Lead the deployment, maintenance, and continuous improvement of security information systems and IT tools for incident data collection and analysis.
• Coordinate post-incident reviews, lessons learned processes, and structured sharing of insights internally and internationally, contributing to dashboards, annual security assessments, and reports such as the RIOD International Security Report.

Critical Incident Preparedness & Crisis Management

• Lead headquarters-level critical incident preparedness, including development, regular maintenance, trainings, simulations, and preparedness sessions for HQ and field staff.
• Identify, propose, and maintain the crisis management pool (CMP) in coordination with the Director of Operations.
• Act as regulator to all CI structures to ensure smooth working relations, providing and outsourcing resources and support where needed.
• Contribute to post-crisis evaluations and follow-up actions to strengthen organisational preparedness and response capacity.

Security Capacity Building & Training

• Design, develop, deliver, and review security training modules and workshops based on documented operational experience and incident analysis.
• Contribute to onboarding and preparation of newcomers (PPD) on MSF security principles, responsibilities, and informed consent.
• Provide security inputs to learning pathways for key field-based positions and applied security courses.
• Support learning departments in reviewing existing tools and identifying gaps in security capacity development.

Coordination & Representation

• Represent MSF Ubuntu in intersectional security platforms, ISA-related fora, SIMM exchanges, and external humanitarian security networks.

Other Responsibilities

• Budgeting & Resource Management: Prepare and monitor the budget related to security activities, tools, trainings, and missions; contribute to financial reviews and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Monitoring, Reporting & Accountability: Ensure timely provision of information for management oversight, including activity reports, dashboards, and analytical notes; flag emerging issues and systemic gaps.
• Policy Compliance & Quality Assurance: Support and monitor compliance with MSF Ubuntu Security Policy, internal procedures, and minimum standards; contribute to audits, reviews, and improvement initiatives.
• Ad Hoc Operational Support & Representation: Provide ad hoc security advice, field support missions, briefings, or representation as requested by the Director of Operations, including participation in strategic discussions, emergency responses, or special projects.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Security Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political Science, Conflict Studies, or related field.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and one additional language (Arabic or French) is required. Knowledge of local languages in Eastern and Southern Africa is a plus.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in security advisory, risk management, or operational security in complex humanitarian, conflict, or high-risk environments.
• Demonstrated experience in field security operations, incident reporting, and crisis management within NGOs, UN agencies, or international organisations.
• Worked as a Country Director or Project/Emergency Coordinator in MSF, with demonstrated experience in integrating security expertise with operational realities, ensuring practical and context-sensitive security guidance.
• Understanding of risk assessment methodologies, critical incident preparedness, and mitigation strategies in insecure contexts.
• Practical experience in data management, analysis, and reporting.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, MSF operational contexts, and dynamics of working in multicultural, multidisciplinary teams.
• Awareness of ethical, legal, and organisational responsibilities related to staff safety, confidentiality, and informed consent in humanitarian operations.

Competencies

Technical Competencies

• Experience in staff coaching and training: ability to provide team building, coaching, and development for staff and encourage cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills; ability to effectively represent MSF at forums and with external stakeholders.
• Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to express ideas clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners.
• Stress resistance and resilience/flexibility.

Behavioural/General Competencies

• Commitment to MSF’s mission, principles, and humanitarian values.
• Excellent planning, organising, coordinating, and administrative skills.
• Excellent computer skills; affinity and experience with information management.
• Punctual, pro-active, and stress resistant.
• Very good communication, representation, and networking abilities.
• High level of integrity and sound judgement.
• Interest in the humanitarian sector.
• Understanding of the MSF working environment is an asset.
• Cross-cultural awareness.
• Result and quality orientation.

Conditions & Benefits

• The role requires regular travel to countries of operation and MSF Ubuntu hubs.
• Travel at short notice may be required during emergencies, assessments, or critical incidents.
• The post-holder may be required to work extended or irregular hours during crises.
• The role requires high levels of discretion, resilience, political judgement, and emotional intelligence.
• The position will operate in a growing Operational Directorate and will require adaptability as MSF Ubuntu’s structures, systems, and portfolio evolve.
• Job Location: Based in either MSF Eastern Africa office in Nairobi (Kenya) or Johannesburg (South Africa).
• Contract: 3-year renewable, full-time contract.
• Start date: 01 October 2026.
• Annual Salary and other benefits: In line with MSF reward policy, subject to local conditions.