ZemiTek, LLC is a Woman-Owned, SBA-certified 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) based in the Washington, DC metro area. We have a strong record delivering innovative and high-quality solutions. Since 2007, ZemiTek has provided technical assistance, project management, information technology (IT), knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, training and learning development, and institutional support services.

USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) is the lead federal coordinator for international disaster assistance. USAID/BHA provides and coordinates U.S. Government (USG) international humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the physical, social, and economic impact of rapid and slow-onset disasters by supporting at-risk populations to build stable foundations to withstand humanitarian shocks and stresses. Team Credence, through the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Support Contract (BHASC), provides operational and administrative support to provide and coordinate humanitarian assistance and maintain 24/7 response capability.

The Office of Field and Response Operations (FARO) is a diverse, mission-driven team of experts leading the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) operational readiness and excelling in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the world’s most vulnerable populations. Together, we create a safe environment where we inspire and enable our staff to achieve their full potential.

The Senior Safety and Security Advisor will join the Humanitarian Access Safety and Security Team (HASST) in FARO’s Field Operations Division to support HASST in providing strategic advice, technical expertise and operational support to BHA decision makers and staff in support of BHA’s mission to save lives and alleviate suffering. This will be achieved through multi-tiered engagement and assistance to support capacity building within the humanitarian community; technical guidance focused on fostering a culture of effective safety and security risk management; the provision of training and support to empower staff to make responsible decisions appropriate to complex security environments; and the development of innovative tools and systems to enable BHA’s mission and field work.

Location: Washington D.C.
Work Schedule: Full-time, Hybrid (3 days/week)
Starting Salary Range: $141,000 - $163,000 a year with the starting salary determined based on candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, and education.

Clearance: Ability to obtain a Secret-level clearance (US citizenship required)

•  Guide appropriate safety and security interventions within BHA activities and provide technical assistance and support to BHA staff, other USAID and U.S. Government (USG) colleagues, and cooperating agencies on issues related humanitarian access, safety, and security.

•  Serve as BHA subject-matter expert on specialized humanitarian safety and security management topics.

•  Participate in and help lead work within BHA’s geographic offices and regional teams to coordinate, monitor, and track the activities of BHA humanitarian programs as they relate to safety and security.

•  Provide or oversee general and country-specific security guidance and briefings to BHA staff.

•  Participate in and help lead BHA’s management of critical security incidents and the systems and processes in support of critical incident management.

•  Deploy to the field in support of the geographic offices and their regional teams’ operational safety and security needs, including comprehensive risk assessments and development of safety and security risk management plans. Mentor new team members while in the field.

•  Serve as subject matter expert and exercise substantial latitude for operational security decision-making as delegated by field-team leaders.

•  Lead coordination and liaison activities with various elements of USAID, primarily the Office of Security, in both Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) and Response Management Team (RMT) situations and on relevant USAID security policy, and with Mission Executive Officers as needed in the field.

•  Liaise with other USG agencies in the field and in Washington, D.C., as appropriate, especially with the Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security and Regional Security Officers at post.

•  Liaise with the various elements of the humanitarian community in the field and at the headquarters level, including United Nations (UN) Department of Safety & Security, UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, local and international non-governmental organizations, and members of the International Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement.

•  Administer, oversee, and/or remain informed about BHA’s safety and security information distribution and related lists.

•  Develop, deliver, and co-lead course content and serve as a resource speaker on established HASST training modules in BHA training courses.

•  Participate in and help lead review BHA partner safety and security plans for adherence to USAID/BHA Emergency Application Guidelines.

•  If requested, serve as Activity Manager for HASST grants and contracts in support of the Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR).

•  May serve in an acting capacity within the bureau (as allowable) with supervisory responsibilities in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.

• Serve on responses, including being on-call/sign up for and serve on Washington-based RMTs and be available to deployment overseas for extended periods of time within a 24-hour notice period.

•  May serve on temporary details within the Bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages.

•  Develop and deliver deployment-specific safety and security plans.

•  Guide and contribute to a collaborative and effective team environment while setting the tone

 and being an example of open communication and regular coordination; a work environment conducive to mutual respect; clear expectations for performance; and clear delegations of roles, responsibilities, and authority.

•  Model values that prioritize 1) the team and organization first and 2) exemplary access negotiation and de-escalation skills in the safety and security sector critical to the delivery of civilian-based international humanitarian assistance.
•  Mentor team members to build technical and other professional skills that meet the professional goals of staff and the needs of BHA, including in preparation for and during deployments (when possible).

•  Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to building and maintaining a non-hostile work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.

•  Demonstrate an understanding of the value of differing perspectives, cultural norms, and gender in the work environment.

•  Demonstrate consistent accountability for adherence to and knowledge of laws, executive orders, and USAID’s policies that prohibit Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and non-EEO infringements as well as the Agency’s policy that strictly prohibits sexual misconduct, including harassment; exploitation or abuse of any kind among staff or implementing partners;   and gender-based discrimination.

• High School diploma and twelve (12) years, Bachelors degree and eight (8) years, Masters degree and six (6) years, PhD and four (4) years relevant experience.

•  Possess excellent judgment and reliability.
•  Have strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
•  Possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
•  Have strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
• Be able to multi-task and work under deadlines in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
• Be capable of prioritizing tasks and follow up on actions without prompting.
• Be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances; and
• Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
• Hybrid work environment (in-person with the ability to telework);
• During deployment on emergency responses (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds).

Our application process is quick and easy.

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Compensation and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That’s why at ZemiTek we design our benefits packages to reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Our employment benefits include, competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, income protection, paid personal, parental, and medical leave, retirement plans with employer match and immediate vesting, among many other perks.

ZemiTek is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

ZemiTek is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, ZemiTek will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to accommodations@zemitek.com.

ZemiTek embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to build and maintain a safe environment where we celebrate diverse backgrounds, treat everyone with respect, and value the unique lived experiences each person brings based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, age, marital status or family status and related conditions.