Security and Risk Manager – Land Border Programme

Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future.

Job Details

  • Apr 1, 2026 Posted date
  • Apr 14, 2026 Expire date
  • Security & Safety Category
  • Nairobi, Kenya Location
  • Undergraduate Degree Education Level
  • 7+ years Experience Level
  • Full Time Job Type

Job Description

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is seeking a Finance & Administration Director for the anticipated FCDO-funded Land Border Programme.Irregular migration and associated criminal activity in East Africa remain a complex and escalating challenge which leads to significant exploitation of vulnerable people on the move.The planned East Africa Land Border Programme will take a multifaceted approach – integrating ‘prevention’, ‘prepare/protect’ and ‘pursue’. An important purpose of this programme is to support the pursuit of human traffickers and smugglers who are exploiting vulnerable populations on the move.Initial interventions will take place in the Kenya border regions, with planned and phased expansion to Uganda, Ethiopia and possibly Somalia border areas.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Security & Risk Manager (SRM) leads all oversight, direction and creation of all safety & security systems for the planned programme.The SRM is responsible for the delivery of hard and soft security measures that are adaptable and responsive to the context. This includes but is not limited to: incident reporting & analysis and offering pro-active measures on safety and security, context analysis, staff training, improvements on existing systems of staff tracking, vehicle movement, communications and security/contingency planning. The SRM will pro-actively engage with the full programme team and partners to ensure context and risk analysis are conducted and risk mitigation measures are put in place as needed. The SRM plays a vital role in managing all security incidences and is a member of the crisis management team.

Essential Responsibilities

Security Systems management

  • Ensure that security systems are in place and functioning as needed, including: incident & information reporting, travel tracking systems, communications protocols, etc.
  • Ensure that all necessary staff are educated upon use of security systems as needed and conduct periodic checks to ensure systems are functioning.
  • Utilize the Country Security Management Plan, Local Area Security Plans, Contingency Plans, Security Bulletin Boards and SOPs when adjusting systems and ensure that systems, equipment and personnel are in place to support all plans (this includes re-location, hibernation and evacuation plans).
  • Ensure standardization in security systems amongst all field offices while adjusting for context as necessary.
  • Ensure that Country & Field Security Management teams are aware of their decision making responsibilities in regards to security and that security decision making runs smoothly.
  • Work with the SMT to ensure all incidents are managed in such a way to minimize any impact to staff and the organization.
  • Conduct comprehensive security/risk assessment in potential new program/field sites, as necessary.
  • Take lead on planning and budgeting for all security related measures

Security & Contextual Information Analysis

  • Ensure incident and information reporting system is functioning and applicable information is being gathered.
  • Ensure information is analyzed and informs both operational and programmatic functions as required.
  • Utilize information gathered in routine and critical updates to security management tools, such as: Weekly Security Reports, Country Security Management Plan, Local Area Security Plans, Contingency Plans, Security Bulletin Boards and SOPs.
  • Gather and utilize information as required in order to perform requested humanitarian or contextual analysis, this could include: Risk Analysis & Mitigation measures, Humanitarian analysis to include: population movements, changes in conflict context, changes in political context, needs analysis, etc.
  • Coordinate with other bodies to ensure all necessary information is gathered and analyzed.
  • Update the Team Lead and SMT with recent and relevant security updates as required.

STAFF TRAINING & LEARNING

  • Ensure effective security briefs and inductions are given to all staff as needed, i.e. initial security inductions, ex-pat visitors, field & deep field site briefs, etc.
  • Ensure training is in place for staff to support contingency plans and standard operating procedures.
  • Provide or facilitate and re-enforce security trainings as needed to include: Hostile Environment Awareness Training, Defensive Driving, Situational Awareness, First Aid and Trauma Care, Communications Training, etc.

MANAGEMENT, LEADERSHIP & REPRESENTATION

  • Conduct regular meetings with programme staff and parnters to ensure safety & security concerns are being met.
  • Manage and mentor all security related personnel with an eye to handing security operations over in the mid-term.
  • Represent Mercy Corps with external and internal stakeholders as needed.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Actively learns about safeguarding and integrates it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
  • Practices the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
  • Encourages openness and communication in their team; encourages team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

Reports directly to:Senior Programme Manager

Works directly with:Team Leader; Deputy Team Leader; consortium partner Security/Risk teams

Supervisory Responsibility- None

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Skills and qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, Master’s degree preferred.
  • At least 7 years field experience in safety and security, operations with a security focus or information management with a security focus with a humanitarian or development non-governmental organization. Relevant experience in a business and/or military setting combined with at least 3-4 years humanitarian experience will be considered.
  • Experience in setting up and managing safety and security systems and protocols and providing training to staff.
  • Demonstrated understanding of complex emergencies, related security concerns, and appropriate responses to such emergencies. Good context analysis skills.
  • Demonstrated management, leadership and mentoring skills.
  • Excellent negotiation and representation skills and the ability to work comfortably with an ethnically diverse staff in a very sensitive environment.
  • Effective skills in coordination, organization and prioritization as well as in Microsoft Office applications.
  • Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work cooperatively with team members.

SUCCESS FACTORS

The successful SRM will be conscientious, with an excellent sense of judgment and commitment to integrity. S/he will demonstrate effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational, and prioritization skills. Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required. S/he will have interest and ability to travel and work in remote environments and awareness of and sensitivity to multi-cultural international development work and ability to train and facilitate dialogue among a diverse group of individuals with various skill sets and working styles.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya with travel to programme sites/border areas

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps’ policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

How to apply

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As an applicant, if you witness or experience any form of sexual misconduct during the recruitment process, please report this to Mercy Corps Integrity Hotline ([email protected]).

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