Access and Liaison Officer

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies is seeking a full-time Access and Liaison Officer. The selected candidate will work closely with the Executive Director, program staff and the senior management team. The access and liaison officer will be responsible for preparing security and risk assessments to identify safety and security needs in areas of program implementation as well as facilitating the training of staff in safety and security procedures.

We are a dynamic, highly mobile, multi-lingual team with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Our main office is in Yemen, while the majority of our team works remotely from locations across Yemen, around the Middle East and in Western capitals. Among our core strengths are our versatility, initiative, access, networks, and audacity. We seek new team members who would complement this dynamic.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Where appropriate, consult with resident representatives and groups, and other stakeholders arranging meetings to communicate the program, get feedback and discuss any other locally significant issues in order to evaluate security risks and assess whether and how planned projects can proceed. Liaise with program management to enable the flow of information among all parties.
• Establish security and safety rules, and ensure any risks are reported immediately to the executive director and program management.
• Map key decision-makers in project areas and keep this information updated and available to project managers or their substitutes.
• Maintain and regularly update database of key stakeholder contacts.
• Advise on the design and support the execution of any assessments to be conducted in the field.
• Have a weekly security debriefing session with the executive director and senior management team.
• Act as the security contact for local consultants on the ground.
• Provide safety and security analysis, identifying and using a range of trusted and verifiable sources, to provide rapid and reliable security recommendations.
• Support the development and maintenance of a comprehensive context analysis and risk assessment.
• Support the day-to-day management of security and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring procedures in place are understood and followed by all staff, facilitating training and capacity building where appropriate.
• Management of any security incidents in consultation with the executive director.
• Appropriately brief staff and visitors to Yemen as requested.

Qualifications:

• Large Experience successful on security issues, planning and implementation of procedures in the Yemeni context.
• At least 3 years experience in complex/high security environments is required, with demonstrated experience in community networking.
• Experience working in Yemen, with knowledge of local dynamics and culture, is essential.
• Proven negotiation skills in difficult, high-intensity circumstances.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, as well as an ability to maintain poise and focus on strategic priorities in high-intensity circumstances.
• Willingness to travel on short notice, often in difficult circumstances.
• Experience in dynamic, insecure environments.
• Demonstrated gender sensitivity in security matters.
• Strong assessment, analytical and planning skills.
• Arabic fluency and, at a minimum, English proficiency.
• Experienced safety and security trainer.

Position Details:

• Reports to: Executive Director
• Starting salary: To be determined based on experience.
• Contract type: 12-month renewable
• Location: Yemen
• Travel: 50% of time working

For those interested, please email [email protected] with the following:

• Your CV and a cover letter.

Application Deadline: 10th of Feburary

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or age.

More about the Sana’a Center:

Founded in 2014, the Sana’a Center is one of the few independent research centers that has continued to operate in Yemen throughout the ongoing armed conflict. While the Center maintains cordial relations with all key stakeholders it has remained fiercely unaligned with any of the belligerent parties. The Sana’a Center has thus maintained a unique positioning and ability to work throughout Yemen and beyond.

The Sana’a Center maintains a strong network across Yemen with access to key political, military and security figures, tribal leaders, the financial sector, economists, journalists, humanitarian actors, civil society and other important stakeholders. The Center has also established a broad network and presence within the international community connecting it to international organizations, diplomatic circles, regional and international policy makers, research centers and global forums.

The Sana’a Center’s reports and researchers are widely quoted in local, regional and international media outlets, while the analysis of the Center’s experts is regularly sought out by local and international stakeholders.

The Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies

Founded in 2014, the Sana’a Center is one of the few independent research centers that has continued to operate in Yemen throughout the ongoing conflict. While the Center maintains cordial relations with all key stakeholders, it has remained fiercely unaligned with any of the belligerent parties. The Sana’a Center has thus maintained a unique position and the ability to work throughout Yemen and beyond.

The Center maintains a strong network across Yemen with access to key political, military and security figures, tribal leaders, the financial sector, economists, journalists, humanitarian actors, civil society, and other important stakeholders. The Center has also established a broad network and presence within the international community, connecting it to international organizations, diplomatic circles, regional and international policymakers, research centers and global forums.

The Sana’a Center’s reports and researchers are widely quoted in local, regional, and international media outlets, while the analysis of the Center’s experts is regularly sought out by local and international stakeholders.