Security Advisor Consultant

About LAW

Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) is an independent non-profit organisation comprised of human rights lawyers and jurists. working in fragile and conflict affected areas in Europe, Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We have a particular focus on gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence, rule of law and accountability, human rights and transformative justice, working to bring justice to those who need it most. In Ukraine, LAW has an office in Kyiv.

LAW is seeking a Security Advisor Consultant to support our Ukrainian team. We are offering a fixed-fee framework agreement for a minimum of one year (renewable based on performance, mutual agreement and subject to funding). Individual assignments with clear deliverables, timescales and costs will be commissioned under the framework agreement based on the requirements of our country programme. The consultant will have in-depth experience working on security in Ukraine and in providing security advice and support to human rights organisations.

Key Deliverables:

The consultant will be expected to person the tasks and activities listed below. Individual assignments will be commissioned with terms of reference specifying the tasks required. This may include:

General

• Advise on security country plans and SOPs, with regards to content, structure, necessary updates, and ensure risks and mitigating measures are up to date.
• Liaise with relevant security agencies to ensure situational awareness. These include local security forces, diplomatic missions, private security companies and informal security networks.
• Provide regular security updates as relevant for LAW staff, visitors and partners.
• Maintain a good understanding of the regional threat environment and risks relevant to LAW business operations.
• Monitor evolving threats and generate and disseminate reports including advice on mitigating measures to be implemented as appropriate to counter emerging threats.
• Advise on programmatic developments, including litigation, and any potential security risk for LAW staff, partners and/or clients in country.
• Review the security management procedures of local partners and provide realistic and actionable recommendations for improvement.

Missions

• Advise on the security mission plans and mitigating measures to be implemented for LAW staff on mission, given the mission objectives, mission schedule (including areas to be visited) and the overall security context at the relevant time.
• Advise on secure accommodation, secured means of transportation, etc.
• Provide an initial security briefing and a security de-briefing to all LAW visiting staff and consultants, and throughout the mission as appropriate.
• Maintain close communication with LAW staff through all communication means available, including through monitoring and providing daily updates on security situation as appropriate and monitoring of daily checks-in (Whatsapp group) for duration of travel when staff and/or consultants are on mission.
• When necessary, accompany LAW staff on mission to Eastern Ukraine and working closely with the country Programme Manager to manage the threat environment in real time.
• During ongoing major security incidents, ensure that LAW staff are kept updated.
• Be the first point of call for LAW staff if they are in a crisis situation and organise/participate in crisis management teams as requested.
• Facilitate crisis management in case of emergency, including supporting in evacuation if required.

Experience, skills and qualifications required

• Bachelor’s Degree or relevant certifications in security management.
• At least five years of security management experience, ideally with an international organisation or non-governmental organisation. Experience working with organisations focusing on human rights preferred.
• Experience liaising with international, diplomatic, governmental, and local authorities and organisations, including security networks.
• Experience developing safety and security protocols and procedures, including security mission and country plans, supporting implementation across diverse stakeholders, and consolidating information to produce clear assessments and recommendations.
• Experience in crisis and incident management for INGOs.
• Experience working in challenging and changing environments, to find solutions to emerging challenges, and maintain balance when under stress.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability t communicate effectively across cultures as demonstrated through previous roles that required crisis management.
• Demonstrated commitment to high professional and ethical standards.