Application Guide

How to Apply for Humanitarian Access and Safety and Security Advisor

at INTERSOS

🏢 About INTERSOS

INTERSOS operates in some of the world's most challenging environments, delivering aid based on solidarity, justice, and human dignity. Unlike larger UN agencies, INTERSOS is agile and field-focused, offering advisors direct engagement with local partners and armed groups. Working here means your expertise directly enables life-saving operations in high-risk contexts.

About This Role

This role is pivotal in balancing humanitarian access with security, requiring you to negotiate with armed actors while implementing risk mitigation strategies. You'll lead the development of access strategies and train local partners, making you a linchpin in INTERSOS's ability to operate in complex crises. Your work ensures that aid reaches vulnerable populations despite active conflict or natural disasters.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with monitoring security reports from multiple field sites, followed by a virtual meeting with a country director to discuss access challenges in a volatile region. You might then draft a negotiation brief for an upcoming meeting with local authorities, and later deliver a remote training session for local partner staff on risk assessment. The day often ends with updating incident tracking databases and coordinating with the global security team on crisis preparedness.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who INTERSOS Is Looking For

  • A seasoned humanitarian with 7+ years in complex crises, including direct experience negotiating access with armed groups and local authorities in volatile environments.
  • Deeply familiar with IHL and humanitarian principles, and able to apply gender and conflict-sensitive approaches to security risk management.
  • Bilingual in English and French (fluent), with strong analytical skills to produce clear, actionable threat assessments and incident reports.
  • Proactive and diplomatic, capable of building trust with diverse stakeholders while maintaining firm adherence to humanitarian principles.

📝 Tips for Applying to INTERSOS

1

Tailor your CV to highlight specific instances where you negotiated access in high-risk settings (e.g., Syria, DRC, Yemen) and quantify results (e.g., 'secured humanitarian corridor for 50k beneficiaries').

2

In your cover letter, explicitly mention your familiarity with INTERSOS's operational contexts (e.g., Sahel, Great Lakes) and how your experience aligns with their mandate.

3

Provide a sample security risk assessment or access strategy from a past role to demonstrate your analytical approach—attach as a supplementary document.

4

Address the French language requirement upfront by including specific examples of using French in negotiations or report writing.

5

Research INTERSOS's current missions (e.g., in Burkina Faso, South Sudan) and reference them in your application to show genuine interest.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Emphasize your proven ability to negotiate humanitarian access with non-state armed groups and state authorities in volatile environments.', 'Highlight your experience in building local partner capacity on risk management and access negotiation, as this is a key responsibility.', "Demonstrate your understanding of INTERSOS's principles (solidarity, justice, dignity) and how they guide your security decision-making.", 'Showcase your bilingual fluency (English/French) with specific examples of using both languages in professional settings.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review INTERSOS's latest annual report and country-specific pages to understand their current operations and priorities.
  • → Read their security guidelines and humanitarian access policies (often available on their website) to align your approach.
  • → Check recent news articles or reports about INTERSOS's work in high-risk areas like the Sahel or Lake Chad basin.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines on humanitarian access and security management.
Visit INTERSOS's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a situation where you had to negotiate access with a hostile armed group. What strategies did you use and what was the outcome?
2 How do you balance humanitarian access with security risks? Provide an example from your experience.
3 What is your approach to training local partners on risk management? How do you ensure sustainability?
4 How do you stay informed about rapidly changing security environments in multiple countries simultaneously?
5 Discuss a time when you had to make a difficult decision that prioritized humanitarian principles over operational security.
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Avoid generic security management experience (e.g., corporate security) without clear humanitarian context—focus on crisis zones and humanitarian principles.
  • Don't downplay the French requirement; if not fluent, it's a dealbreaker. Be honest and provide evidence of proficiency.
  • Avoid overstating your experience with armed group negotiations if you lack direct examples—interviewers will probe deeply.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: May 22, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to INTERSOS!

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