Security Officer Full Time NEW

Background:

The Embassy of Switzerland in Addis Abeba is representing Swiss interests in Ethiopia, Djibouti, South Sudan and towards the African Union. The Embassy runs cooperation programs in various regions of Ethiopia, namely in the Somali Region and in Southern Oromo. The Embassy’s Security Officer is in charge of all security related matters concerning the Embassy compound and travels of Embassy staff in Ethiopia as well as overall assessments of the security situation in the country. He or she regularly exchanges with Switzerland’s Regional Security Advisor based at the Swiss Embassy in Nairobi

Overall Tasks:

• Under the supervision of the Head of Political Affairs, he/she will advise on the entire security management of the Embassy, including travels of Embassy staff within Ethiopia.
• Active exchange with Switzerland’s Regional Security Advisor based in Nairobi.
• Member of the Security Management Team.

Specific Tasks:

1. Actively participate in the Security Management Team (SMT). Responsible for collecting information related to security through official and unofficial channels.
2. Maintain a monitoring system of the security situation in the country.
3. Evaluate the security situation for field trips and accompany embassy staff on field trips whenever necessary. Develop and update field security guidelines.
4. Activate and keep an extensive and ethnically diversified network of contacts (airport authorities, police, hospitals, local authorities, embassies and international organizations, etc.) in Addis Abeba and in the field.
5. Support the Head of Political Affairs in updating the Security Management Plan and Security guidelines on a regular basis. Supports the Embassy in creating and updating the crisis management plan for Ethiopia, Djibouti and South Sudan.
6. Regularly test and maintain of all emergency communication equipment (sat phones, radiosalarm system, etc). Responsible for all emergency equipment of the representation. Responsible for pharmacy box, medical kits in the car and emergency supply. Responsible for regular emergency exercises (evacuation drill, phone tree etc.) and trainings (first aid, firefighting etc.).
7. Responsible (with support of facility manager) for assessment, maintenance, and installing of physical security/infrastructural measures of the representation.
8. Work closely with the Regional Security Advisor in Nairobi.

Direct superior: Head of Political Affairs

Directly subordinated employee(s): None

Degree of employment: 100%

Total subordinated employees: None

Starting on: March/April 2025 (with a probation period of 3 months)

Administrative Unit & Duty Station: Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia (Addis Abeba)

Requirements & Professional Experience:

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent.
• 5 years or more of professional experience in security in a leading position, preferably for an embassy or an international organization.
• Experience in risk management for embassies/organizations active in the field.
• Excellent English, orally and written, Amharic. German and/or French are a plus.
• Proficient in the use of computers and issuing documents.
• Highest degree of loyalty, reliability, and discreetness.
• Ability to work both, independently and in a team.
• Ability to think and communicate in a structured way.
• Personal authority, understanding of multi-cultural teams and the importance of security as a collaborative effort.
• Willingness to work hands-on on security infrastructure and emergency maintenance
• Willingness to conduct regular field visits over several days and in all parts of the country.