Security Advisor – Sri Lanka

Security Advisor

Employer: Legal Action Worldwide
Location: Sri Lanka, preference to candidates based in Colombo

Closing date 18 Dec 2020

Background

Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) is an NGO and network of human rights lawyers who provide creative legal assistance in 12 countries around the world. LAW works in Africa, South- East Asia and the Middle East and has offices in the UK and Switzerland. LAW’s thematic areas of focus is gender justice, particularly the needs of women and children victims of sexual violence and abuse. LAW’s approach is to empower national actors to drive the justice process, including victims and survivors.

Sri Lanka Programme

LAW Sri Lanka provides legal capacity building and technical assistance to justice institutions, legal academic institutions and lawyers. LAW is seeking a security advisor to assist with the management of the diverse threat environments in Sri Lanka.

The security advisor will work closely with LAW’s Executive Director and the Sri Lanka programme team, providing relevant and up-to-date advice, to ensure that missions are prepared and conducted in such a way as to achieve the highest possible level of threat avoidance and mitigation. The successful candidate will combine the utmost professionalism, integrity and flexibility to support the mission team in Sri Lanka.

LAW is looking for a security advisor with extensive experience of providing security advice to international organizations and NGOs on field and mission security, as well as sensitive and cultural knowledge of the local context and threat environments across different provinces in Sri Lanka. The security advisor will report to LAW’s Sri Lanka Programme Manager. The role of security advisor may include travel within the region.

Reports to: Sri Lanka Programme Manager
Duration: 12 Month Rolling Period, From January 2020 – December 2021
Hours: Up to 30 days’ work over 12-month period to be agreed with each assignment as required

Functions/ Key Deliverables:

The Security Advisor will have the following ad hoc activities to ensure mission preparedness and safe conduct of activities and missions in Sri Lanka:

To provide an initial security briefing and a security de-brief to all LAW visiting staff and consultants , also post-debrief to monitor and identify learnings.
Induction and awareness session to all international staff based in the local country
To be the first point of call for LAW staff if they are in a crisis situation and to organise for the staff to be moved to safety;
To escalate matters to the LAW Executive Director and LAW Programme Manager Sri Lanka in cases of crisis or emergency;
To advise on the necessity of a security detail for LAW staff on mission to provinces outside of Colombo, given the mission objectives, mission schedule (including areas to be visited) and the overall security context in the target country at the relevant time.
When necessary, to accompany LAW staff on mission the regions targeted by the programme, including transporting staff to and from meetings, and working closely with Programme Manager Sri Lanka to manage the threat environment in real time.
To advise on procurement related to mission security and safety by recommending credible service providers and suppliers, particularly as regards local security escorts, secure accommodation, long range radios, etc.
Maintaining a good understanding of the regional threat environment and all risks relevant to LAW business operations, provide timely advice and guidance to the team.
Liaising with all relevant security agencies to ensure situational awareness. These will include local security forces, diplomatic missions, private security companies and informal security networks.
Maintaining close communication with LAW staff through face to face meetings, mobile, SMS and Skype communications.
Monitor evolving threats and generate and disseminate threat reports as quickly as possible.
Regular risk assessment of site and staff also and appropriate risk mitigation measures are recommended to counter emerging threats.
During ongoing major security incidents, ensure that LAW staff on mission are kept updated on a regular basis.
To work closely with LAW staff to ensure that risk and safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) are implemented.
The handling of incidents and emergency response as per SOPs to ensure that staff are kept safe during times of crisis.

Skills and Qualifications Required:
Security expert with 10 years relevant experience demonstrated in complex security environments;
4 years’ experience demonstrated working in Sri Lanka with knowledge and experience of the culture and context and excellent knowledge of the focus areas outlined above, preferably gained through previous experience providing security advice to international organizations or NGO actors working on human rights issues in Sri Lanka;
Strong relationships and network links with key security actors and stakeholders in Sri Lanka, with a particular focus on the focus areas outlined above;
Track record and experience of delivering security trainings and awareness within NGOs;
Excellent written and oral English, research and drafting skills, organizational and analytical skills;
Strong communication and interpersonal skills and ability to work on own and take initiative;

Excellent written and oral Sinhala and/or Tamil.
Ability to be flexible and meet deadlines;
Ability to manage relationships at all levels, possess excellent negotiation and communication skills.

Desirable:
Previous experience assisting international organizations or NGOs working in active conflict environments.