Safety and Security Officer – Iraq (National)

Department: Operations – Safety & Security

Duty Station: Baghdad

Contract Type: 75%

Contract duration: 12 months

Direct report: Country Director

Grade: Officer

*Only Iraqi citizens or candidates holding a valid work permit for Iraq will be considered.*

Mission

Geneva Call is a neutral and impartial non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting respect by Armed Groups and De Facto and/or Provisional Authorities (AGDAs) 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.

Role

The Safety & Security Officer, under the supervision of the Country Director, will support the country Management team by leading and supporting a system of safety and security in the country to promote and support the protection of the employees, related parties, and the assets of the organization. The Safety and Security Officer provides support and advice to country management and staff on security risks, Geneva Call’s Safety and Security SOPs, context analysis and evolution and AGDA engagement. In addition, the Safety & Security Officer is expected to contribute to the overall programme design, planning, and implementation of Geneva Call’s activities in Iraq.

Work relations

The Security Officer will report to the Country Director and the Global Head of Safety and Security while working closely with the country Operations Team.

Additionally, s/he will liaise with international organizations, other technical experts, state authorities, and other stakeholders as may be requested in line with the job.

Duties and responsabilities

Security Compliance and Framework Implementation

• Develop, implement, and maintain the country safety and security framework in full alignment with ISO 31000, Geneva Call’s Global Safety & Security Framework, and global security standards, ensuring regular review and update of security policies, procedures, SOPs, security management plans, evacuation plans, and hibernation procedures.
• Promote a strong security culture by ensuring all staff are familiar with and comply with Geneva Call’s safety and security policies, SOPs, and mandatory awareness training, while ensuring security measures adequately address diverse staff profiles, operational requirements, and gender-specific risks.
• Provide security planning and operational support by optimizing travel, work schedules, events, overnight coverage, and facilities support to maximize staff safety and security, in close coordination with country teams and relevant stakeholders.
• Lead emergency preparedness and incident management, under the direction of the Head of Safety and Security, ensuring effective preparedness, response, and coordination during security incidents and emergencies.
• Strengthen internal and external security coordination by developing and maintaining a robust network of security contacts and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to enhance information sharing, support security risk mitigation, and identify opportunities to strengthen the organization’s overall security posture.

Risk Assessment and Security Plan Reviews

• Conduct regular risk assessments for offices, guesthouses, and operational sites. Evaluate, review, and update security management plans, evacuation plans, and hibernation procedures to ensure readiness. Implement structured vulnerability evaluations to identify and mitigate security gaps.

Incident and emergency Preparedness

• Lead incident management and emergency preparedness efforts, ensuring contingency plans are in place. Develop national emergency preparedness plans and guide the team in real-time crisis response. Ensure incident reporting mechanisms are functional, capturing security threats and trends.
• Contribute to the development of national emergency preparedness plans.
• If necessary, support and advise the support team in the event of a humanitarian or security/safety emergency.
• Contribute to the development of operational and programmatic contingency plans for different emergency scenarios

Physical Security and Infrastructure Protection

• Ensure all physical security systems (CCTV, alarms, locks, radios, perimeter security) are operational and maintained. Develop and implement security maintenance schedules and oversee necessary repairs. Conduct physical security risk assessments to ensure compliance with global security standards.
• Ensure the physical security systems and equipment are functioning and according to GC’s safety and security requirements/ standards.
• Ensure that all physical security systems and maintenance schedules are maintained and in good working condition including CCTV, alarms, radios, locks, keys, perimeter doors/gates, etc. Initiate and follow up on all repairs as necessary.
• Conduct vulnerability evaluations.
• Conduct systematic risk assessments of offices, guesthouses, and other facilities, ensuring compliance with safety and security standards.

Capacity Building and Training

• Strengthen staff security awareness and preparedness by designing and delivering regular security orientations, training, and awareness sessions on safety and security procedures, humanitarian access, humanitarian principles, and risk mitigation, while fostering a strong security culture across the organization.
• Build security capacity across the country programme by identifying training and capacity-building needs, providing ongoing coaching and feedback on safety and security matters, and supporting management in promoting security-focused initiatives and cross-functional collaboration.
• Monitor the security environment and provide timely advice by maintaining a robust network of contacts for context analysis, monitoring security developments, and providing regular safety and security updates and recommendations to management.
• Support the planning and security of events and operational activities by participating in event security planning, coordinating secure transport and venue arrangements, and ensuring appropriate security measures are in place for safe and successful implementation.
• Develop and coordinate security plans and reporting by preparing site security and safety plans, security schedules, transport plans, event reports, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders, while undertaking additional security-related responsibilities as requested by the Country Director and relevant HQ teams.

Requirements

Education (essential)

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in relevant field such as management, or Political/Social Science, International Humanitarian Law or Human Rights or equivalent.

Education (desirable)

• Training in security management from recognized institutions is an added advantage (such as CSMP by ISMI, or CPP by ASIS).

Experience (essential)

• At least 6 years’ work experience for an INGO in a similar role.
• Understanding of local context, dynamics and access limitations especially related to gender, disability, religion, tradition, and local norms.

Experience (desirable)

• Experience with developing and updating security framework for INGOs.

Job related competencies

• Strong knowledge of security risk management, including security risk assessments, contingency planning, incident management, and the development and implementation of security policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Proven ability to analyse complex security contexts, monitor evolving risks, and provide timely, practical security advice to support operational decision-making in conflict-affected environments.
• Experience in security training and capacity building, with the ability to develop staff awareness, promote a strong security culture, and deliver training on security procedures, access, humanitarian principles, and emergency preparedness.
• Excellent coordination, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with experience liaising with authorities, local communities, humanitarian partners, and other relevant actors to facilitate safe and secure programme implementation.
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, respond effectively to emergencies, and ensure compliance with organizational security frameworks and humanitarian principles.

Organizational competencies

• Understanding and respect for humanitarian principles and the organization’s vision, mission, and confidentiality.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Collaborative, team-oriented, and solutions-oriented approach.

Language (essential)

• Full professional proficiency in Arabic and English, written and spoken.

Language (desirable)

• Knowledge of Kurdish is a plus.

Additional information

• 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?

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, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion and disability.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to Geneva Call’s humanitarian mission by enabling the safe and secure delivery of programmes in Iraq. As a Security Officer, you will play a key role in protecting staff, assets, and operations, providing strategic security guidance, strengthening security systems, to ensure Geneva Call can effectively deliver on its mission to protect civilians affected by armed conflict.

For Application: Please only submit your CV and cover letter, by August 27th, 2026, by following the application link:

application link

Our 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.

By submitting your application, you consent to Geneva Call sharing your CV internally, where necessary, for the purposes of assessing your suitability for current or future employment opportunities.