Security, Access

War Child is an international alliance working in 15 countries. This is an international charity working for children and youth affected by war. War Child initiated working in Afghanistan from 2002. In Afghanistan War Child Work with children and youth, who as a result of conflict, live with a combination of poverty, exclusion, and insecurity. These children and youth might include street children, child headed households, children conscripted into armed groups, unaccompanied minors, youth returnees and refugees, and children who have been put in Juvenile Rehabilitation Center and, the children and youth impacted by the climate induced disasters.  Our mission is to protect, educate and stand up for the rights of children and youth caught up in conflict, poverty, and exclusion. We also work on building the lives and climate resilient livelihoods of the children and youth.  We look forward to a world in which the lives of children and youth are no longer torn apart by war. This is a vision that can only be realized through the collective actions of children and youth themselves, the communities that they live in, their leaders, local organizations, War Child in Afghanistan, governments, and key decision makers.

Job Purpose

The Security and access & Liaison Officer will be based in Kabul (With some travels to the provinces mentioned in our strategy footprint) and shall be responsible for coordinating and overseeing security operational plans in the security department and facilitating communication and coordination between different departments, teams, or external entities. The security and access & Liaison officer will work to improve the operations of the security department and strengthen coordination, information sharing, and surveillance activities through mutual Interaction to ensure the safety of organization staff, assets, and beneficiaries, and work on building strong relations with communities and area authorities. The SALO serves as a liaison between the INGO and external stakeholders, including local authorities, security forces, and other organizations operating in the same area. They establish and maintain relationships to gather security-related information, coordinate security efforts, and seek support if needed. The incumbent will report directly to Senior Manager - Operations & Support.

The Duties and responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

Key Responsibilities

Security Management

• Provide security briefings for new staff, consultants, and visitors, ensuring they understand WCUK's security policy, local risks, and staff movement protocols.
• Conduct regular risk assessments of Kabul and provincial offices, project sites, and travel routes.
• Monitor daily security developments in Kabul and other provinces; advise staff on safe movement and "no-go" areas.
• Attend, security coordination meetings, and other relevant forums; share updates with Senior Manager – Operations & Support.
• Supervise security guards, ensuring compliance with duty rosters, WCUK Code of Conduct, and operational discipline.
• Oversee staff and vehicle movement tracking systems for Kabul and provinces.
• Ensure the safety of office premises, assets, and beneficiaries through preventive security measures.
• Provide incident reports and security updates in a timely manner.
• Support emergency response planning, including evacuations and contingency planning.

Access & Acceptance

• Build and maintain positive relationships with communities, elders, and local influencers to promote WCUK's acceptance.
• Facilitate safe access for project staff and ensure communities are engaged in WCUK's work.
• Support negotiations for staff movement and program delivery with local authorities and community leaders.
• Advise staff on cultural sensitivities, local dynamics, and do's/don'ts in community engagement.
• Act as access focal point between project teams and Kabul office.

Liaison

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with government authorities (MoE, MoLSA, MoI, and local DoRRs), security actors, and non-state actors where appropriate.
• Represent WCUK in official meetings with local and provincial authorities.
• Maintain updated contact lists of stakeholders in Kabul and provinces.
• Proactively engage with relevant stakeholders to prevent and resolve access or security challenges.
• Provide timely follow-up and reporting on liaison activities to Senior Manager – Operations & Support. 

Our Values

• Bold: We use our passion and creativity to deliver high-quality evidence-based work designed to maximize our beneficial impact on children in conflict.
• Accountable to Children: Children can rely on us to respond to their voices and to treat them with respect and dignity.
• Anti-racism: Anti-racism is not merely a belief. It includes actions that we mainstream throughout our work to change and challenge policies and behaviors that perpetuate racism.
• Transparent: We expect to be held to account by our supporters and beneficiaries and we respond with openness and honesty.
• Supportive to each other: We support each other and our partners to achieve ambitious goals and to the best we can be we are honest and open with each other, sharing our success and confronting our challenges.

Person Specification

War Child in Afghanistan operates in a dynamic environment with a team of highly motivated and dedicated staff. The right candidate will share these qualities and bring effective leadership to a diverse team. The successful candidate will be a creative problem solver and foster a solution-based approach to management.

Experience and mandatory criteria:

• University Degree and security-related courses.
• At least 5 Years' experience in the relevant field with humanitarian organizations.
• Proficiency in English, Pashto, and Persian languages is highly essential, [i.e., reading, writing, and speaking]
• Should have the capability and reasonable experience of security-related report writing in English, Pashto, and Persian languages.
• Highly objective, dependable, emotionally mature, sociable, and communicative with good verbal and written communications skills.
• Must possess good interpersonal, mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Patient and with a good understanding of humanitarian and development work.
• Hardworking and able to work with people from different backgrounds.
• Honest and accountable.
• Flexible and can work under pressure.
• Good Control and supervisory skills
• Ability to handle an insecure environment
• Ability to deliver training to multi-National staff, including those with limited or no English language skills.
• Commitment and understanding of War Child UK values.