Background

ACT, in partnership with WFP, is conducting a Food Security, Livelihood, and Agriculture (FSLA) Assessment across 12 districts of Punjab: Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Khanewal, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Lodhran, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Rajanpur, and Layyah. The assessment aims to generate reliable, evidence-based data on household food security, income sources, coping mechanisms, and agricultural practices to inform humanitarian and development programming.

Data will be collected from 3000 households (approx. 250 households per district) over a 15-day fieldwork period, using Android-based ODK tools. Enumerators will form an integral part of the district teams responsible for high-quality, ethical, and timely data collection.

Role Purpose

The Safety & Security Officer is the single point of accountability for the physical safety and security of all assessment teams in six districts and assets throughout the entire assessment. The SSO will ensure proper planning and implementation of robust mechanism to avoid fieldwork disruption or threats to team members, with special attention to the safety of female staff in conservative rural contexts.

Key Responsibilities

Security Planning & Risk Assessment

• Coordinate with the law enforcement agencies as well the district authorities to ensure that the concerned authorities are provided with necessary information about the assignment of ACT.
• Conduct and regularly update a district-specific security risk assessment for all six target areas.
• Prepare and maintain daily/ weekly security briefs for ACT management on overall situation and the changing context.
• Develop contingency plans and ensure all staff are familiar with them.

Daily Movement Control & Tracking

• Approve all daily movement plans submitted by the Logistics Supervisor and District Supervisors.
• Implement and monitor real-time staff tracking (mandatory follow up when teams are in the field).
• Vehicle tracking and maintain constant telephone contact with field teams.
• Enforce strict no-night-travel rule.

Staff Orientation & Compliance

• Deliver mandatory security induction to all field teams during the 3-day training in Multan.
• Ensure every staff member signs the Security Acknowledgement Form and knows the emergency contact numbers.
• Monitor strict adherence to ACT protocols (visibility, convoy rules, prohibited areas, etc.).

Protection & Gender-Sensitive Security

• Pay particular attention to the safety and dignity of female enumerators (separate vehicles, safe accommodation, avoidance of high-risk timing/locations).
• Coordinate with District Supervisors to ensure female teams are never left unaccompanied in sensitive areas.
• Serve as the primary focal point for any security-related gender or protection concern.

Incident Management & Reporting

• Act as primary contact point and incident manager for any security or medical emergency.
• Immediately report all incidents (including near-misses) through the established ACT–WFP reporting chain.
• Conduct rapid debrief and lessons-learned sessions after any incident.

Liaison & Access Negotiation

• Maintain active contact with district police, local administration, and community elders to facilitate safe access.
• Coordinate police security clearance whenever required by local authorities.
• Support the Team Lead in obtaining district-level NOCs from a security perspective.

Ethical and Safeguarding Compliance

Enforce strict adherence to:

• ACT and WFP Code of Conduct
• Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
• Child Safeguarding Policy
• Do No Harm and Data Protection principles
• Immediately report any suspected violation through established channels.

Final Deliverables

Submit a concise end-of-project security report (incidents, risk trends, recommendations), along with recommendations, to the Team Lead and ACT Head Office.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) with 5 years of professional security management experience with UN agencies, I/NGOs or reputed organizations in Punjab (direct experience in South Punjab highly desirable).
• Proven track record of managing staff safety during large, multi-district emergency assessments or distributions.
• Excellent knowledge of the security context in South Punjab districts (tribal influences, flood-related risks, sectarian sensitivities, crime patterns).
• Training/certification in hostile environment awareness, first aid, or security management.
• Fluency in English and Urdu; fluency in Saraiki is required.
• Valid driving licence and ability to drive 4×4 vehicles in difficult terrain.

Core Values & Safeguarding:

ACT International is committed to integrity, accountability, inclusion, safeguarding, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). The post holder is expected to uphold ACT’s Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, PSEA standards, and all relevant ethical and professional standards at all times, ensuring a safe, respectful, and dignified environment for all stakeholders.

Note: Due to the emergency nature of this hiring, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. ACT International reserves the right to fill the position before the closing date; therefore, interested candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest opportunity.