About RVI

The Rift Valley Institute (RVI) is an independent, non-profit organisation working in eastern and central Africa since 2001. The RVI is a research and educational organisation with a social mission: to create a better future for the peoples and communities of Eastern and Central Africa by advancing relevant knowledge of the region through collaborative research, education and training, public information and dialogues, and promoting culture and heritage. A UK-registered charity, the Institute has offices in Nairobi, Juba, Mogadishu, Addis Ababa and London. RVI is a leader in practical social research, policy analysis, training and public information. Our field-based research emerges from and seeks to respond to ideas generated by the communities and institutions with which we work.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision

Making local knowledge work for the benefit of the people of Eastern and Central Africa.

Our Mission

The RVI works to create a better future for the peoples and communities of Eastern and Central Africa by advancing relevant knowledge of the region through collaborative research, education and training, public information and dialogues, and promoting culture and heritage. The Institute bridges development practice and policy, elevating local voices, knowledge and action.

Our Values

The following values guide and underpin our work:

• Respect: We demonstrate respect for local knowledge and the partners and the communities we work with and those who work with us.
• Independence: We are independent in our thought and action and produce research and deliver programmes free from external interests.
• Integrity: We work with transparency and honesty to ensure accurate and open access to information, and we are accountable for our work and to those we work with.
• Collaboration: We believe respectful partnerships are the basis for successful development and we are committed to long term, mutually beneficial collaboration between indigenous institutions, local researchers and international specialists.
• Excellence: We strive to produce original work and to sustain our strong reputation for research, public information and training.

The Somali Dialogue Platform

Introduction

The Somali Dialogue Platform (‘The Platform’) is a research and dialogue programme managed by the RVI which seeks to support more peaceful, inclusive and sustainable political processes that can transform Somalia’s political settlement. The Platform seeks to create dialogue spaces trusted and led by Somalis, where they can confidently address past conflicts and grievances and collaborate to resolve fundamental differences in their governance ideas.

The Platform is looking for a Security and Safety consultant who will review and update the programme’s safety, security and duty of care policies and standard operating procedures to ensure the safety of the Platform’s personnel and assets across various locations in Somalia.

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to review and update RVI’s safety, security and duty of care policies and standard operating procedures to ensure the safety and security of the Platform’s personnel and assets across various locations in Somalia. The Consultant will ensure that RVI’s policies and practices are fit for purpose given the organisation’s programmatic needs, and risk profile and appetite.

The Consultant will work with the Team Leader and the Deputy Team Leader-Finance Operations and Compliance, and liaise with RVI senior management to ensure coherence across the organization.

Duration

Up to 15 days, between March and end April 2024, within expected 5 days travel across Somalia.

Key Responsibilities

The Security and Safety Consultant, will be expected to:

• Review RVI’s safety and security policies and procedures for Somalia to ensure they are fit for purpose and in line with the wider organisational approach and polices on security and safety, as well as other relevant policies and procedures such as travel, insurance etc.
• Engage with staff, including senior management, to ensure that RVI’s safety and security policies and procedures are effective and relevant given programmatic needs and the organisation’s security profile, approach and risk appetite.
• Update RVI’s safety and security policies and procedures for Somalia to ensure that they are appropriate and practical for the locations in which the organisation operates, including if necessary visiting those locations.

Outputs and deliverables

The following deliverables are expected:

• Reviewed and updated security, safety and duty of care policies and SOPs which are aligned with RVI’s other policies and procedures
• Recommendations on how to improve the operationalisation of the security, safety and duty of care policies and SOPs.

Timeline for delivery

The deliverables should be completed by end April 2024.

Qualification and experience

• Minimum of eight years of relevant working experience in the security sector, security risk management or similar field.
• A minimum of two years operational field experience in Somalia, with knowledge, understanding and ability to manage security challenges in Somalia.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and/or implementing security and safety management frameworks and SOPs in insecure contexts
• Experience working with non-governmental organisations is desirable.
• Strong inter-personal skills and ability to work within a team environment, excellent communication and negotiation skills, ability to work effectively and harmoniously within a diverse work environment.

Application process

Interested candidates should submit their CV, a cover letter, and contact details of at least three professional references (including their most recent line manager) here by 11^th March 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.