Head of Safety and Security - Brussels or Geneva

Department: Operations - Safety & SecurityDuty Station: Brussels or GenevaContract Type: Full‑time (100%)Application Deadline: April 30, 2026MISSIONGeneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect by Armed Groups, De Facto Authorities (AGDAs) and Provisional Governments for international humanitarian norms in armed conflict and other situations of violence, in particular those related to the protection of civilians. Geneva Call focuses its efforts on banning the use of anti-personnel mines, protecting children from the effects of armed conflict, prohibiting sexual violence in armed conflict, working towards the elimination of gender discrimination, protecting civilian infrastructure, and ensuring humanitarian access.ROLEThe Head of Safety & Security is responsible for leading Geneva Call’s global safety and security strategy, policies, and risk‑management framework, ensuring staff and operations are protected while enabling business resilience in complex and volatile environments. The Head of Safety & Security consolidates safety and security management policies, standards, and operational tools across all contexts, and ensures that all requisite security plans, protocols, and standard operating procedures are developed, regularly updated, and consistently applied, based on Geneva Call's Minimum-Security Standards.WORK RELATIONSThe Head of Safety and Security reports to the Director of Operations and works closely with the members of the Senior Management Team, Country Directors, and other functions across the organisation. S/he provides technical line management to security focal points in the field operations.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESSafety and Security Management* Lead the continuous improvement of Geneva Call’s global Security Risk Management (SRM) framework, ensuring that existing safety and security plans, tools, and systems are regularly reviewed, tested, and adapted to evolving risks and programmatic needs. Conduct structured analysis of security trends and advise on risk‑informed decisions that enable humanitarian access while keeping operations within clearly defined and acceptable risk thresholds. * Provide technical line management and professional supervision to Safety and Security Focal Points in all country missions, ensuring their deliverables are aligned with GC standards and minimum requirements. * Embed SRM into programme design, operational planning, and decision‑making, and lead or co‑lead critical incident and crisis management in line with the organization’s framework, keeping leadership informed through timely and evidence‑based analysis. * Ensure all country teams maintain context‑specific safety and security policies, SOPs, and contingency plans that are consistent with global standards and are effectively implemented. * Oversee regular safety and security audits and reviews (including partner operations where relevant), provide clear recommendations, track implementation of agreed actions, and ensure safety and security costs and investments are adequately reflected in country and HQ budgets and funding proposals. * Drive an integrated, acceptance‑focused and people‑centred approach to security that combines community engagement, deterrence, and protective measures as appropriate. * Support country teams to develop threat‑specific protocols and access strategies, maintain an overview of all relevant agreements, and lead security mapping for existing and potential missions to inform go/no‑go and expansion decisions. * Lead Geneva Call’s crisis management arrangements for security‑related incidents, ensuring clear escalation paths, roles, and decision‑making processes, and coordinating timely response, communication, and after‑action reviews with country teams and senior leadership.Training and Capacity Building* Develop and maintain a modern safety and security learning framework (including manuals, digital content, and e‑learning) and ensure all staff receive role‑appropriate, inclusive, and context‑specific training on GC safety and security policies, behaviours, and tools. * Ensure incident and crisis management teams at HQ and in the field are trained and regularly exercised in their roles through simulations, tabletop exercises, and after‑action reviews, with lessons learned systematically captured and integrated into policies and practice. * Identify and coordinate internal and external learning opportunities, mentoring, and coaching for key staff, particularly Safety and Security Focal Points and managers, to strengthen SRM competencies across the organization. * Promote peer‑learning and knowledge‑sharing between missions and with partners. * Ensure all new staff and visitors receive timely security induction and context briefings and that mandatory training requirements are defined, monitored, and reported on. * Champion a proactive, inclusive safety and security culture where staff feel empowered to report concerns, near misses, and incidents without stigma.Coordination* Work closely with heads of units (Operations, Programmes, HR, Finance, Communications, etc.) to integrate security risk considerations into organisational planning, change initiatives, and project life cycles. * Contribute to organisational risk registers and management dashboards, and provide regular strategic updates to senior management and the Board as required. * Coordinate and share information with security counterparts in peer organizations, NGO fora, and relevant UN and humanitarian coordination mechanisms, representing Geneva Call’s perspectives and ensuring GC benefits from collective analysis and good practice. * Advise senior management on the interface between humanitarian principles, access, and security risk management, ensuring all staff understand GC’s mission, code of conduct, and how these shape day‑to‑day security behaviour, negotiation, and acceptance strategies. * In close collaboration with IT, develop and maintain operational policies and procedures for digital and information security (secure communications, data protection, safe use of platforms and devices), ensuring alignment with the wider SRM framework and emerging threats. Promote the use of appropriate technology and data for smarter, more anticipatory security decision‑making. * Participate in, and where appropriate initiate, relevant security‑related forums, briefings, and communities of practice. Produce concise strategic and analytical reports and briefings on security trends, incidents, and organisational exposure to inform leadership decisions and donor engagement.REQUIREMENTSEducation (Essential)* Master’s or equivalent academic background in Security management, strategic studies, international security, or other related fields. * Professional security risk management qualifications or certifications are an asset (e.g. CPP, CSMP or similar).Experience (Essential)* Minimum 15 years of relevant Safety and Security Management experience, including work in humanitarian sector and across different security contexts and levels of insecurity. * Demonstrated, progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, and reviewing safety and security policies, protocols, and SRM frameworks at organisational level. * Proven field security leadership experience in hostile or high‑risk operational environments, including incident and crisis management responsibilities. * Experience developing and implementing safety and security approaches that go beyond physical protection and include acceptance, access, and behavioural measures. * Significant experience in training, coaching, and mentoring local and international staff on safety and security, risk management, and incident response.Experience (Desirable)* Security risk management frameworks (e.g. ISO 31000, ISO 27001, NGO SRM standards) * Experience with security information management systems (incident databases, dashboards, mapping/GIS tools) * Familiarity with cyber and information‑security controls (access management, encryption, secure communications) * Experience designing and delivering structured security training programmes and drills.Job related competencies* Strong negotiation, influencing, and representation skills with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including authorities and community actors. * Strong leadership, communication, and sound decision‑making skills, including under pressure and in rapidly changing situations. * Experience working in multicultural teams and contexts, with high awareness of and sensitivity to gender, diversity, and power dynamics in security risk management * Experienced in designing, leading, and reviewing incident and crisis management plans, including reporting, escalation, and after‑action learning. * Solid understanding of physical, digital, and procedural security measures and how to integrate them into day‑to‑day operations and duty of care. * Ability to align organisational practice with relevant international SRM standards and frameworks and to monitor and report on compliance.Organizational competencies* Strong alignment with humanitarian principles and Geneva Call’s vision, mission, and values, including strict respect for confidentiality. * High degree of flexibility and adaptability in fast‑changing, insecure environments. * Collaborative, inclusive, and solutions‑oriented approach, with the ability to build trust and influence across cultures and disciplines.Languages* Fluency in English required. * Advanced proficiency in any of the following languages: French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic is an advantage.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION* The incumbent must be willing and able to travel at short notice. * Testing and interviewing will be used as a form of screening. * Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references. * Additional background checks may be required.WHY JOIN GENEVA CALL?This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape a global safety and security function at the heart of a principled humanitarian organisation operating in some of the world’s most complex and high-risk environments. If you are motivated by combining operational impact, strategic leadership, and humanitarian purpose, this position offers you the possibility to make a tangible and lasting contribution where it matters most. We look forward to your application.HOW TO APPLYFor Application: Please only submit your CV and cover letter by April 30, 2026, by following the application link below:APPLICATION LINKOur HR team will meticulously evaluate your profile in line with the requirements of the post you have applied for. Since we receive a good number of applications for all the positions Geneva Call advertises, it is not possible to communicate the results of our decisions with every candidate individually. Therefore, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted by the HR team to invite them for written test – and the steps afterwards if they qualify i.e., interview and other assessments as deemed appropriate.Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.