Country Security Director at Chemonics International

Chemonics International - We're one of the world’s leading partners in international development, because where Chemonics works, development works. From our founding in 1975, we have worked in more than 150 countries to help our clients, partners and beneficiaries take on the world’s toughest challenges. Today, we re-imagine global supply chains to deliver essential medicines to the right place at the right time. Our global network of more than 4,000 specialists share an unwavering resolve to work better, driven by a conviction that the world must be better.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Security Director

Location: Abuja
Duration: Long Term

Background

• Chemonics International is currently implementing four USAID-funded projects in Nigeria: Global Health Supply Chain - Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM), Global Fund Nigeria (GF),  and Strategic HIV and AIDS Response Program (SHARP) Task Order 01 (TO 01) and Task Order 03 (TO 03).
• In an effort to safely and securely manage these projects within the complex environment and threats associated with work across Nigeria, Chemonics maintains a Country Security Director (CSD) to lead and support a standardized platform across Chemonics programming in Nigeria.  

Position Objective

• The CSD will be responsible for developing, managing, and updating the security platform that will support all Chemonics operations in Nigeria.
• S/he will develop a strong understanding of Chemonics corporate security policies and procedures and apply these in a consistent and thoughtful manner to the specific requirements of the Chemonics International programs in Nigeria.
• The CSD will be responsible for maintaining and strengthening the existing security platform to provide robust support and oversight of all project operations, to include the safety and security of staff, property, equipment, and commodities.
• S/he will be responsible for building and enhancing strategic relationships with key government holders (e.g. Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health) and the Nigerian security sector (Nigerian National Police, Nigerian Defense Forces, including developing relationships with local security progressions and NGOs/IP security managers.
• S/he must also be able to work with and coordinate with various stakeholders in country, including all Nigerian Chiefs of Party, and the Chemonics Home Office, while demonstrating sound judgement and a high level of discretion.
• The CSD will also act as the primary technical manager for all security staff and security subcontracts for Chemonics in Nigeria and will be responsible for supporting the Operations team in the administration of security subcontracts.
• The CSD will report directly to the Home Office Security Management Unit (SMU) Director, with an indirect reporting relationship to each programs’ leadership and operations teams.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the management and continuous improvement of the safety and security platform. Manage the existing safety and security protocols for program operations in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria and ensure compliance with Chemonics’ safety and security policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the project technical and operations teams to create tailored processes and procedures to protect project staff, assets and commodities.
• Build and enhance security relationships. 
  • Establish relationships with local law enforcement, civil authorities and development organizations for the purpose of obtaining the most current information affecting the security of the program. Liaise with local security forces, beneficiaries and members of the team and establish a network of contacts who can provide information on a regular basis. In coordination with the projects’ senior leadership, continue rigorous liaising and networking with appropriate international security sources other donors, and their projects.
  • The objectives are to be well-informed of risks and best practices, build strategic and tactical alliances that support project goals, cultivate the flow of timely and actionable information, and continue to establish Chemonics’ leadership in the security community.
• Provide leadership, strategic guidance, and management for special security requirements.
  • These include but are not limited to: general and facility security assessments; event security; security for staff traveling in and around Nigeria; support for regional assessments and/or project movements in risk areas; and any situation that might threaten the safety of staff and operations.
  • Make recommendations for security enhancements and modifications and ensure that approved recommendations are implemented.
• Conduct incident and situation reporting
  • Gather information for local and regional updates on security. Compile and disperse timely and accurate security updates, recommendations for changes in posture, and other relevant information to the senior management team and/or staff in-person or via e-mail, phone, or SMS.
  • Oversee the writing and transmission of security alerts for emerging situations and report all security-related incidents involving Chemonics staff.
  • Provide reports as requested to senior management team that capture major events and any impact on staff or program delivery.
  • Manage the dissemination of security related alerts provided by the subcontracted private security company.
• On an activity-by-activity basis, implement the capability to operate safely. In coordination with the Washington office SMU and field-based Nigeria security team, manage the implementation and quality control of security policies and the standard operating procedures.
  • This includes: ensuring sound security plans and risk assessments that enable the mission of the Chemonics’ projects in Nigeria while meeting Chemonics’ corporate standards and Nigerian safety and health requirements, problem solving specific security issues; determining resource requirements; and vetting and selection of security resources for a constantly improving platform.
• Manage and continuously upgrade Chemonics safety and security incident response capabilities.
  • Lead Chemonics crisis and incident management preparations and response in Nigeria, in coordination with projects’ senior leadership.
  • In this regard: update, as appropriate, the project emergency action plans and corresponding business continuity plans to ensure a fail-safe emergency communications system; clear emergency duties and responsibilities; and systems that foster fast, deliberate, and coordinated team responses.
  • Conduct scenario training and test exercises and ensure emergency continuity.
  • Act as local incident coordinator.
  • Facilitate training as required, and periodic drills at each project office and residential location; including hotel lodging for short term staff.
  • Ensure all staff are briefed on all safety and security considerations for project personnel arriving in country from overseas - to include information on security risks, incident in the field.
• Strengthen project staff safety and security skills and habits.
• Recommend staff training program and monitor completion and compliance.
  • This includes regular briefings, security guidelines, communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and movement restrictions (as needed).

Reporting:

• The Country Security Director will report directly to the lead Home Office Security Management Unit Director with an indirect reporting relationship to each programs’ leadership and operations team.
• The Country Security Director will conduct check-ins with Chemonics home office SMU on a regularly recurring basis.
• The SMU will provide overall strategic support to the Chemonics security platform and will serve as the key focal point for decisions that impact the entire security platform and in cases of emergency.
• The CSD and SMU will also maintain open communication with the Chemonics home office project management units (PMUs) regarding any impact that security related matters will have on project implementation.
• The Country Security Director shall include the SMU and PMU on any communications with security subcontractors that have implications regarding the cost and/or performance or contractual obligations of the subcontract.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Business Management, or related field required.
• 8 or more years of experience in project and security management and oversight of security platforms; 
• Demonstrated project and personnel management experience 
• Demonstrated ability to design and write sophisticated security management documents 
• Strong contextual knowledge of the security environment in Nigeria; 
• Experience managing complex, sensitive, and high-risk security crises;
• Demonstrated ability to generate and leverage network connections in order to promote an accurate understanding of risk and strengthen knowledge of country context; 
• Proven effectiveness in conducting liaison activities in complex and high-risk environments; 
• Prior professional experience working in law enforcement or military coupled with private sector work experience preferred; 
• Knowledge of U.S. government and USAID processes and regulations preferred; 
• Well-connected with local Nigerian authorities and international NGOs operating in Nigeria, as well as possessing a high ability to build strategic relationships and expand network; 
• Proven expertise in Nigerian security issues, including current threat environment, security policy, key actors, risk assessment, and best practices;
• Experience providing security oversight to an international donor program required; 
• Ability to report to and coordinate with multiple stakeholders, both internal and external; 
• Experience in training civilians on safety and security measures; 
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills; 
• Fluency in English is required.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online