Acción Contra el Hambre

• The Humanitarian Access and HASM (HASM) for the ACF Syria Mission is responsible for overseeing the mission’s security management and daily security operations, ensuring the implementation and compliance with security policies, procedures, rules, and standards. By establishing and maintaining a security information network, ensuring timely collection and analysis, he/she leads the strategic and operational security management of the mission. He/she is providing risk analysis and the definition and follow-up of appropriate risk mitigation measures, in close coordination with the Country Director, the Logistics Coordinator, and Heads of Base. S/he is responsible for the development, implementation, and regular updating of security management tools, including the Security Plan and related procedures.
• The HASM leads the design, implementation, and monitoring of AAH Syria’s humanitarian access strategies, ensuring safe, principled, and sustained access to affected populations. This includes conducting regular context and stakeholder analyses to identify barriers and opportunities; providing technical guidance to field teams on negotiation, mediation, and engagement with authorities, armed groups, and communities; and systematically mapping and coordinating stakeholder relationships to facilitate and maintain operational access. 
• In addition, the HASM is responsible for strengthening the mission’s security culture through staff training, briefings, and sensitization on security-related issues, and may delegate specific security tasks to designated support staff as required.
• The HASM reports directly to the Country Director, who remains the final decision-maker on security-related matters. The position does not hold hierarchical authority over other departments but works through coordination, technical guidance, and collaboration across the mission.

Objective 1: Collect, Analyze, and Disseminate Security and Contextual Information

Information collection

• Establish, maintain, and expand a robust network of contacts with INGOs, NNGOs, UN agencies, embassies, civil society actors, local authorities, and community leaders to gather real-time security and contextual information
• Monitor and analyze international, national, and local media, as well as social media and open-source intelligence (OSINT), for relevant security developments.
• Systematically collect, verify, and organize security and context-related information, ensuring relevance to ACF Spain’s operational areas and programs.
• Maintain and regularly update a comprehensive security incident database, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility for analysis and reporting.
• Develop, update, and manage security and context mapping tools (e.g., GIS mapping, threat matrices, access tracking).

Information analysis

• Analyze security data to anticipate potential evolution of risks, identify emerging threats, and assess contextual trends.
• Evaluate collected information in relation to the broader political, social, and operational context, and assess its impact on ACF programs and staff.
• Produce analytical reports highlighting security needs, priorities, and operational implications for senior management.

Information dissemination

• Provide regular security briefings to the Country Director, Heads of Base, and other relevant coordinators on evolving security developments.
• Disseminate timely and actionable security information to all mission staff, tailored to their roles and locations.
• Prepare and distribute weekly, monthly, and ad hoc security reports, as well as annual security reviews.
• Issue security alerts, warnings, and advisories as required, ensuring clear communication of risks and recommended actions.

Representation

• Represent ACF Spain in regular and ad hoc security-related coordination meetings (e.g., OCHA, INSO, NGO forums, HAWG).
• Organize and facilitate internal and external security meetings with relevant actors in intervention areas, ensuring ACF Spain’s security concerns and priorities are communicated.
• Liaise with local stakeholders, including authorities and community leaders, to promote ACF Spain’s principles, values, and acceptance strategy

Objective 2: Evaluate, Mitigate, and Follow Up on Security-Related Risks

• Lead regular security risk assessments for the mission, operational areas, premises, and programs, using standardized methodologies.
• Propose, update, and enforce mission-wide, base-specific, and activity-specific security rules, SOPs, and mitigation measures.
• Implement a layered approach to security management, balancing protection and acceptance strategies.
• Support Heads of Base/Project in identifying and engaging with relevant security stakeholders in intervention areas
• Validate and approve staff movements from a security perspective, in coordination with logistics and program teams, and within the framework of weekly/monthly movement planning.
• Identify, recommend, and coordinate external resources (e.g., security consultants, training providers) for specialized risk mitigation or capacity building.
• Lead the preparation of security incident reports, ensuring thorough investigation, documentation, and follow-up on recommendations and decisions at both mission and HQ levels.
• Conduct regular security assessments of ACF Spain premises, guesthouses, and assets to ensure compliance with security policies and standards.
• Plan, coordinate, and advise on security arrangements for special events, high-risk activities, or VIP visits.

Objective 3: Implement, Update, and Monitor Security Management Tools

• Recruit, supervise, and mentor Security Officers/Assistants, ensuring their professional development and alignment with ACF Spain’s security policies.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review the Mission Security Plan in line with ACF Spain’s global security framework and duty of care obligations.
• Ensure the Security Plan is accessible, understood, and applied by all staff, with clear roles and responsibilities defined
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the Security Plan, proposing updates and revisions as needed
• Contribute to the development of security-related budgets, ensuring adequate resources for security infrastructure, equipment, and training.
• Identify, procure, and manage security-related equipment and supplies (e.g., communications, PPE, vehicle tracking, etc.).
• Support the development and implementation of emergency management and contingency plans, including evacuation, relocation, and lockdown procedures.
• Develop and promote security awareness campaigns and risk reduction activities, fostering a proactive security culture within the mission.

Objective 4 : Develop, Promote, and Manage Action Against Hunger’s Operational Humanitarian Access Strategy

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of context-specific humanitarian access strategies and approaches, in close collaboration with program, advocacy, and senior management teams
• Conduct regular humanitarian access context analyses, identifying barriers, opportunities, and key stakeholders to inform strategic decision-making.
• Provide technical advice and support to Heads of Base and program teams on access-related issues, including negotiation, mediation, and stakeholder engagement
• Map, plan, and coordinate systematic engagement with all key stakeholders (authorities, armed groups, community leaders, etc.) to facilitate and sustain humanitarian access.
• Document and share lessons learned and best practices on access strategies with ACF Spain’s global network and relevant external forums.

Objective 5 : Train and Sensitize Staff on Security Issues

• Technically coordinate with Security Officers, ensuring their professional development and alignment with ACF Spain’s security policies.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive security training programs for national and international staff, tailored to their roles, responsibilities, and operational contexts
• Conduct mandatory security briefings and debriefings for all new and departing staff, as well as for staff traveling to high-risk areas.
• Promote a culture of security awareness and personal responsibility among all mission staff, with a focus on acceptance and risk reduction strategies.
• Organize and facilitate security drills, simulations, and tabletop exercises to test and improve staff preparedness for emergencies.

Objective 6 : Managerial responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and mentor the security and access team, ensuring clear communication, accountability, and professional development.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment, promoting information sharing and coordinated action across departments
• Represent the security and access department in senior management meetings, advocating for security and access priorities in operational planning.
• Ensure compliance with ACF Spain’s security policies, donor requirements, and international humanitarian security standards

• Degree in Political Science, Law, International Relations, Security Studies, or another relevant field.
• Strong knowledge of International Humanitarian Law, security risk management, duty of care, compliance, logistics, and disaster risk management in humanitarian contexts
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in security management, preferably within humanitarian or complex emergency settings
• Required Humanitarian sector knowledge
• English and Arabic languages are mandatory
• Proficiency in standard IT tools (MS Office or equivalent) and security-related reporting and communication systems is required.
• Knowledge on GIS is desired.

• Contract period: till December 31st 2026 (7 months) renewable base on Action Against Hunger fund and performance. 
• Salary/benefits: According to Action Against Hunger's salary scale and terms and conditions.
• Duty station: Damascus.

-Applications will be assessed and vacancy might be closed before the end of the announcement as per qualifications availability.
- The organization is committed to the principles of non-discrimination and diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people.

In the process of recruitment, selection and appointment Action Against Hunger implement a range of procedures and actions including Criminal Background Checks/ International vetting/Certificate of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.