Project Security Manager at Creative Associates International

BACKGROUND

Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Project Description.   

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and in close partnership with federal partners and select Nigeria States (designated as legacy [Bauchi and Sokoto], launching and technical assistance), the five-year Leveraging Education Assistance Resources in Nigeria (LEARN) project will support sustainable improvements in reading outcomes for first and second grade pupils. The goal of LEARN is to strengthen and scale early grade reading (EGR) best practice by ensuring that standards-based, context-appropriate assessment, materials, training, and administrative supports needed to improve literacy skills for P1-2 pupils are embedded within the federal policy, funding, and monitoring frameworks, and state and local authorities have the implementation protocols, capacity, and resources to carry out and sustain standards-based, data-driven EGR reform. The project objective is to instill ownership in and build capacity of school-community, local, state, and federal systems to establish a base for adequate, consistent data-driven funding, monitoring and performance that increase the equity, inclusion, and wellbeing necessary to achieve sustained EGR gains. LEARN will therefore be building on lessons learned from prior Nigeria reading programs to introduce a flexible, cost- efficient EGR intervention model that can be tailored to state contexts.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Project Security Manager’s (PSM) overall mission is to keep all project personnel and assets safe from harm. S/he has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day management and coordination of operational field security activities, provides continuous security and contextual information to the team, ensures compliance with corporate security policies, and maintain liaison with the Regional Security Manager for Africa (RSM). This employee will be appointed by the Chief of Party (COP), with concurrence from the RSM HQ Security. This position will be based in the Abuja office, with program activities expected to be carried out throughout Nigeria. Extensive understanding of security issues throughout Nigeria with possible travel into various areas of Nigeria as needed and required by the project.

REPORTING & SUPERVISION

The Project Security Manager reports to the Chief of Party based in Abuja. The PSM will be based in Abuja and will work closely with the HQ RSM - Africa.   

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Work with the Chief of Party and Creative’s HQ Regional Security Manager for Africa (HQ RSM) to develop, manage, and coordinate all Creative security and safety programs, plans, and policies relevant to the project including detailed security procedures that comply with Creative security policies. This will include emergency response drills and communication procedures for the project.
• Provide security, safety, and risk mitigation advice and recommendations to the COP and LEARN management and staff.
• Ensure that project staff complies with project security procedures including travel protocols.
• Carry out security assessment of offices, compounds, vehicles, and Expat/TCN housing and make recommendations for required security upgrades, as required.
• Monitor and analyze the ongoing threat environment faced by the project and brief the Chief of Party and other project staff accordingly. Distribute threat warnings to all staff. 
• Ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are taken by the project to respond to the threats or changes in threats faced by the project. This is to include physical protection measures, safe working routines, movement restrictions, protection equipment, and security staff provision, as required.
• Report security incidents, and violations, and recommend corrective actions, as appropriate, to the RSM and COP.
• Ensure all new employees, consultants, and partners working in Creative offices and traveling in Creative vehicles receive appropriate security orientation and briefings.
• Be able to assist with out-of-hours emergency response for the project staff and partners, if needed.
• Assist the project with business continuity planning, as required.
• All the above include ensuring security protocols are understood and security drills are periodically conducted with staff of LEARN.
• Support, provide pre-departure or welcome security briefing, and conduct airport meet and greet for international staff and visitors coming to Nigeria to support the project.
• Ensure field staff receive first aid and fire response training.
• Additional assignments, as instructed by the Chief of Party.
• The PSM should understand, brief, and regularly train all project staff on:
• The successful candidate needs to demonstrate superior knowledge of the following specific states in Nigeria: Abuja, FCT,Sokoto, Bauchi, Adamawa, Niger, Ebonyi
• Have the ability to effectively brief all staff on emergency procedures and protocols and conduct and lead security briefings and security training/drills.
• The need for all staff to maintain a good level of situational awareness, and to report concerns.
• Project communications procedures including emergency phone trees and WhatsApp security groups as well as contact lists.
• Office emergency response procedures including fire evacuation, direct threat lockdown, etc.
• The need to avoid all demonstrations, possible demo sites, and areas where crowd trouble could start.
• The location of the nearest medical facilities.
• Implement and execute actions relating to the Crisis Response Plan.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in security systems, security, or related field required; master’s degree preferred.
• Must have a minimum of at least 6+ years of security-related work experience and at least 4+ years of specific management experience in Nigeria, related to the position required.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is highly desired, including the ability to provide and provide security briefings in English.
• Demonstrated understanding of security management protocols and the application of field security protocols is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to solve challenging and complicated security issues. Solutions-oriented and open-minded thinker that can provide solutions around complicated scenarios.
• Ability to develop an in-depth understanding of and willingness to comply with all Creative security policies and procedures.
• Should have a proven and established network of contacts within the local security environment, as well as a demonstrated ability to interact with and engage the international security networks available in Nigeria.
• Proficient at using Office 365 - MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.  Applicant needs to demonstrate computer literacy and be able to relay field information [security] into Power Point presentations etc.  
• Have a demonstrative ability to draw from a wide network of reliable sources of information, to provide concise and timely analysis and recommendations pertaining to our areas of operation and activities in the field.
• Demonstrated ability to engage all team members as resources to manage security and contextual awareness in a manner that is proactive.
• Must have the physical capacity to travel extensively on short notice to remote regions within Nigeria.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Experience in the field of international development is highly recommended.
• Previous exposure to similar types of projects – USAID funded and or any other international donor organization.
• Tenure with INGO in Nigeria will be beneficial.
• Extended field and background knowledge of Nigeria states and in particular the following regions in Nigeria: Abuja, FCT, Sokoto, Bauchi, Adamawa, Niger, Ebonyi
• Prior experience with the Nigerian military or NDS is an additional advantage.
• Proven experience, directly and indirectly, supervising and managing staff and teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel throughout Nigeria.
• Strong ability to deploy and use various forms of staff tracking.
• Develop security management and motion tracking systems.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills are required.
• Problem-solving, stress management, and time management skills are required.
• Excellent record-keeping and documentation skills are required.
• Working knowledge of modern technical security systems, security standards, and procedures within the private sector of Nigeria.
• Experience working in a conflict environment is a plus.
• Fluency in one or more of the local languages used in Nigeria is desired.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with institutional and private sector partners and stakeholders, including the national government.
• Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.

 Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.