Security Manager At Chemonics

Position Description

The Security Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of safety and security issues for all projects, staff, partners, and stakeholders, including monitoring and reporting, raising the security awareness levels, ensuring safety and security is forefront of project activity. Working closely with the Security Platform Director and Deputy Director as well as the Chemonics-Washington Security Management Unit (SMU), Project Chiefs of Party (COP)/Team Leaders (TL) and Deputy Chiefs of Party (DCOP)/Deputy Team Leaders (DTL), the Security Manager will manage Chemonics’ security policies and best practices, including those related to transportation, medical and fire safety, journey management, and office and residence safety. The Security Manager will support assessments of new project activities as well as resumption of paused activities in the current context of Ukraine and Eastern Europe. The Security Manager will provide continuous training, support, and mentoring to project staff in Chemonics’ safety and security best practices, standards, and requirements for all aspects of field office operations. She/he must follow the client’s (USAID and FCDO) and local government policies, procedures, and regulations. The Security Manager will also liaise with other Chemonics-implemented projects in Ukraine and Poland to ensure strategic coordination, maintain corporate standards, and prioritize staff care. The assignment will begin on or about April 18, 2022, for 12 months.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

The Security Manager is responsible for the following principal duties and responsibilities:

• Advise the Platform Security Director on Chemonics’ security policies and best practices, including those related to transportation, fire safety, journey management, and office and residence safety, among others as needed in coordination with the SMU and lead implementation of said policies.
• Engage with project staff regularly to answer and address questions and concerns relating to safety and security, liaising with the Platform Security Director, Deputy Director, SMU, and project leaders.
• Provide regular assessments of the on-the-ground situation in Ukraine to project staff, home office staff, and other stakeholders.
• Develop security assessments for all office and project locations and advise the COP/TL and project staff; as needed, assist the SMU in security assessment data collection through periodic context analyses, threat assessments, and vulnerability assessments. Conduct research and outreach by visiting field offices, with analyses of the security environment and identification of local security contacts in the field.
• Ensure all incidents are reported and help lead incident response in coordination with project leaders and Chemonics-Washington stakeholders.
• Coordinate closely with the security platform manager in Ukraine, including with all logistical and supply chain security requirements.
• Support, and lead if required, emergency response for projects as a core member of their Incident Management Teams (IMT), and ensure all incidents are reported to the SMU.
• Monitor the emergency and security preparedness of staff and work closely with them to ensure compliance with internal security policies and SOPs.
• Lead the implementation of the risk assessment mitigation measures provided by SMU.
• Provide real-time safety and security information for areas of activity implementation and assessments in support of staff movements amid the ongoing armed conflict.
• Monitor situations and emergencies that occur in areas with staff presence and/or have an impact on project activities and ensure staff are aware.
• Identify transportation options and coordinate transportation support for staff in Ukraine and in the region. As part of transportation requirements ensure the platform security coordinator/s monitor staff status and locations when in transit in Ukraine, Poland, and other parts of Eastern Europe as needed.
• Develop and maintain project telephone trees and emergency contact lists, Emergency Action Plans, and as needed, project and facility security risk assessments.
• Provide staff, including Chemonics-Washington employees, new business staff, and other short-term consultants, upon arrival, a brief on important safety and security issues.
• Coordinate security arrangements for events hosted by the project, including analyses of the venues and networking with local security contacts.
• Lead emergency preparedness and ensure staff receive necessary training, including on hostile environments and the use of satellite phones.
• Directly supervise all security subcontractor assets, monitor activities, and evaluate performance.
• Monitor staff members’ implementation of safety and security procedures and report all breaches in compliance.
• Network with other security organizations, including the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), U.S. Embassy, and other implementing partners to understand the security situation and be able to make relevant recommendations.
• Collaborate with the USAID Partner Liaison Security Office and/or US Embassy Regional Security Officer (RSO) in Poland and Ukraine (relocated to Poland), as needed.
• Provide a safety and security orientation to all staff members at the beginning of their employment and ongoing training throughout their employment.
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Poland Platform Security Director, COP/TL or their designee consistent with the overall nature of the project.

Experience/Qualifications

• University degree in relevant field or discipline
• At least 5 years’ experience in security management and oversight roles in high-risk environments.
• Experience working with USAID and/or other international development donor programming and in a multi-cultural environment strongly preferred
• Proven effectiveness for implementing security platforms for civilian operations in conflict zones, to include successful crisis management experience and management of private security providers.
• Previous experience in advising senior leadership on crisis management; ability to organize program leadership in the field and act as a liaison with home office leadership.
• Proven effectiveness in establishing relevant relationships in complex and high-risk environments
• Proven problem solver in high-risk environments.
• In-depth understanding of local Poland/Ukraine security context and landscape
• Strong ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Familiarity with journey management and personnel tracking systems required.
• Demonstrated proficiency in acceptance-based risk mitigation strategies.
• Must be able to develop pragmatic risk assessments, supporting operational plans for safe travel and project implementation, as well as support venue risk management requirements.
• Good interpersonal skills and commitment to excellence.
• Fluency in English required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian or Russian and Polish preferred.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, sustainable relationships with Activity staff, USAID Mission personnel, and the general development and business community
• Strong organizational and work prioritization skills, attention to detail
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Demonstrates leadership, versatility, and integrity