Senior Officer, Regional Security Manager.

The Foundation

We are the largest nonprofit fighting poverty, disease, and inequity around the world. Founded on a simple premise: people everywhere, regardless of identity or circumstances, should have the chance to live healthy, productive lives. We believe our employees should reflect the rich diversity of the global populations we aim to serve. We provide an exceptional benefits package to employees and their families which include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with no premiums, generous paid time off, paid family leave, foundation-paid retirement contribution, regional holidays, and opportunities to engage in several employee communities. As a workplace, we’re committed to creating an environment for you to thrive both personally and professionally.

The Team

Global Security works to safeguard foundation personnel, information, facilities, events, assets, and reputation. We are comprised of about thirty employees as well as contingent staff based in Reception, Guard Forces, Secure Drivers, and Transportation Coordinators, as well as our Global Security Operations Center. Security spans across all foundation regional and affiliate offices and organizationally reports into Facilities, Events, Travel, and Security (FETS) and Business Operations.
The Risk Intelligence team is responsible for analyzing threats and trends in the countries and regions where we and our partners operate and provides direct security support to each of the foundation’s regional offices, Country Directors, and Affiliate entities. Our Regional Security Managers partner closely with one another across regions and with our Analysts based in our Regional Offices globally. RSMs serve as the bridge for our work across the Global Security team.

Your Role

Application Deadline: May 7, 2024.

Serve as Global Security’s (GS) Senior Officer, Regional Security Manager (RSM) for the West and Central Africa region, with a focus on the foundation offices in Abuja, Nigeria, and Dakar, Senegal. As Senior Officer, Regional Security Manager, you will provide direct operational/physical security oversight and management for the Nigeria Country Office and Senegal Country Office – serve as the “tip of the spear” on security engagement for these locations and overarching regions.

Take ownership of researching and analyzing data to produce comprehensive geopolitical assessments for consumers regarding risk issues specific to the cities where the foundation operates. Responsible for seeing opportunities to enhance and improve team strategies and processes and to communicate to management as needed for guidance. Establish and implement processes, policies, and protocols for an effective security management system in foundation office locations, including serving as incident management coordinator for assigned offices.

This is an individual contributor role, which does not have direct/internal people management responsibilities, however, vendor management is a critical part of this role. The RSM will collaborate frequently with internal and external partners.

This role resides within the Risk Intelligence team, within Global Security and reports to the Deputy Director, Risk Intelligence.

What You’ll Do

• As RSM, act as the GS liaison with the Nigeria Country Office and Senegal Country Office directors, operations and facilities managers, staff, and other personnel to implement, adjust, and carry out appropriate security measures.
• Lead all aspects of security operations for the Nigeria Country Office and Senegal Country Office. Lead and control the quality of the security programs, inclusive of moderate risk travel/transportation and management of outsourced Secure Transport Coordinators (STCs), Drivers, Guards, and Security Reception. This includes regular site visits to ensure timely and adequate:
• Site security plans, and conduct threat, vulnerability, and risk assessments.
• Training and awareness programs (Incident Management/Regional Office contingency planning, Traveler Awareness, Personal Security Awareness, Low HEAT)
• Security support to foundation-sponsored events and activities
• Relationship management with our staff based locally and external security counterparts.
• Act as an incident response coordinator for each office under your purview.

These responsibilities include:

• Working in consultation with each office director, to select and train local incident response team members, ensuring they represent key programmatic and operational portfolios consistent with foundation incident management standards.
• Lead annual incident management exercises for each office, constructing scenarios and training objectives to address key risks specific to each office context.
• Respond to security incidents in assigned areas of responsibility, activating and coordinating activities of the local incident response teams and preparing options for decision by the office director or foundation’s leadership team as appropriate.
• Provide credible information and contextual analysis of localized and regional security situations and incidents, along with appropriate advice to GS managers.
• Maintain an effective security network at office locations, with both internal and external partners.
• Liaise with government, consular, and private sector law enforcement and security agencies within the foundation’s regional office locations.
• Demonstrate a problem-solving approach to preserving the foundation infrastructure at all regional office locations and make recommendations to support the strategic aims and objectives of those policies and programs.
• Assist GS with developing training and awareness programs, for inclusive security practices and engagement with Employee Resource Groups.
• Provide security support for Moderate Risk foundation travel and operations within the West and Central Africa region.
• Engage in thought partnership discussions with our Analysts on issues within your area of responsibility, and provide backstop support to other RSMs as needed, as a member of the Risk Intelligence team.
• Partner closely with GS Protective Operations counterparts who manage our Secure Transport for High and Very High-Risk locations and Medical Support Programs in the regions.
• Be a great teammate, taking ownership and responsibility for addressing the full range of GS responsibilities, and collective GS voice – as best you can in your role.

Your Experience

• Master’s degree preferred or a bachelor’s degree with 10 + years of experience with relevant experience in international relations, regional studies, security, or a related field is required.
• Ability to communicate fluently verbally and in writing, in both English and French.
• Demonstrated capability for regional/country risk assessment and written reporting as well as operational security experience, including with corporate security entities and/or formal government-level service with diplomatic, law enforcement, and/or intelligence agencies.
• Experience working domestically and internationally in multiple settings (office & field) with strong security operational experience, understanding, and inclusivity to varying global perspectives and cultures.
• Demonstrated experience leading responses to security incidents, including investigations and support to include crafting and providing security messaging to locally based staff and travelers.
• Proven track record in security vendor management.
• Shown experience developing security mitigation plans for high-level events and VIP visits.
• Experience representing security organizations with a broad range of external stakeholders, including government officials, and benchmarking with partners in other organizations.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills; including research, monitoring, and information collection and reporting.
• High level of interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with an emphasis on collaboration, and ability to engage executive-level decision-makers.
• Ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, enthusiasm, and diplomacy both individually and collaboratively as part of a team effort in a highly matrixed environment.
• Strong ability to network effectively at all organizational levels, developing trusting and positive relationships.
• Must have a consistent track record of working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, requiring a high level of attention to detail while maintaining focus on the big picture.
• Flexibility in working across time zones is essential for this role, as well as the ability to work independently and make sound decisions to maintain organizational objectives.
• Excellent ability to identify and work effectively with key collaborators on complex, cross-organizational, and foundation projects in unfamiliar areas.
• Tolerance for ambiguity and ability to apply structure to simplify complex problems.
• Apply discretion with demonstrated experience in maintaining utmost confidentiality and privacy.
• Project/Program management and information security experience are highly desired.

Other Attributes

• Available to travel domestically and internationally frequently (25 – 50%).
• Fluency in French is mandatory.
• A sense of humor and a positive attitude is required.
• Self-motivated and have a passion for the mission of the foundation.
• Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

Hiring Requirements

As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Candidate Accommodations

If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request here.

Inclusion Statement

We are dedicated to the belief that all lives have equal value. We strive for a global and cultural workplace that supports ever greater diversity, equity, and inclusion — of voices, ideas, and approaches — and we support this diversity through all our employment practices.

All applicants and employees who are drawn to serve our mission will enjoy equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.