Javeria Malik


Global Security Advisor ActionAid International


empathetic ear can save people’s lives. There is a higher purpose and that will give you a lot of fulfilment and sense of achievement.


What led you to your current role in security?


I was born and raised in Pakistan, where being a career-oriented and progressive, liberal woman had its own challenges. Risk assessment and risk management was part of my life, something I did almost instinctively. I am a journalist by training and during my media and communications work as I travelled to high-risk areas, I got to improve and practise my risk management skills more consciously.


as the European Interagency Security Forum (EISF) that is doing a commendable job bringing the sector together to learn from each other’s experience and pool knowledge and resources. Under the EISF banner, we meet twice a year with our fellow NGO security managers to analyse current and emerging security issues and support research and publications in various areas related to security risk management. I recommend that NGOs should endeavour to participate in such forums for wider networking, learning and gaining inspiration from the good work happening round us.


What is your focus for the next year?


I plan to initiate a robust capacity and skill development programme for our staff to help them gain at least a minimum skillset to risk-assess the work that they are doing and develop capabilities to evade and minimise operational risks. I feel every activist, human rights defender and frontline staff is a de facto security manager because of the very nature of their work. Personally, I have learnt more about practical security risk from non- security people working on the ground and facing risks every day than some so-


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called security experts that rely heavily on theory with little relevance to real life experiences.


What is your advice for those moving to or already in the security sector?


Be ready to jump into action whenever and wherever you might be. I have personally attended to critical incidents while on a flight, in the middle of the night and once as I was about to cut my birthday cake! It’s almost like a doctor on call.


Be reachable. Sometimes it’s not just security advice or policy guidance that is needed at times, people just want to vent and share their risk perceptions with a confidante, someone who will hear them out with empathy and sound mind.


Stay informed. You don’t have to be a know-it-all, but taking interest in the world around you greatly helps.


And lastly, know how to balance your own work/life. Look after your personal wellbeing and health, get sufficient sleep and rest, indulge in social and family life, but at the end of the day, know that sometimes your advice, support and an


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However, the greatest professional shift came when ActionAid hired me to lead their federation-wide security management work from a global perspective – from global security policy, protocols and guidelines to building a decentralised community of practice of the security focal persons. That was a turning point for me as well as for the federation, one that offered a lot of challenges and incredible opportunities.


I think the two personal attributes that have helped me embrace and overcome challenges are hard work and self- confidence, believing that human beings are capable of great things if they put their minds to it. I also believe that if you are happy and content, you exude positive energy in your work and relationships.


I look after myself and make time to live life to the fullest, you know they say, work hard and play hard… well that’s me! I am fortunate that my work involves a lot of travel, something that I really enjoy. It gives me a chance to explore new cultures, make new friends and just appreciate the diversity of life. Other than that, I love nature and going on safaris, and, of course, reading and occasional movies!


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