Position title: Security Specialist
Position location: Position is based in Ottawa
Application deadline: Until filled
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is seeking a qualified Security Specialist to lead on safety and security management. The Security Specialist will provide quality safety and security information, training, policy and standards guidance, tools, and ongoing support that will enable successful program delivery, deployment of personnel (volunteers and staff) and preparedness for travel in accordance with WUSC’s duty of care obligations and the organization’s security strategy - policies and operating procedures.
Background:
WUSC is a leading Canadian international development organization committed to building a more equitable and sustainable world. WUSC works with a unique and powerful network of post-secondary institutions, private-sector partners and volunteers to provide education, employment and empowerment opportunities that improve the lives of millions of youth, women, and other marginalized populations in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. WUSC is headquartered in Ottawa with offices in 20 countries and employs more than 300 staff worldwide; over 100 in Canada and nearly 200 in its country offices. WUSC ‘s international volunteer cooperation program sends more than 600 Canadian volunteers annually to approximately 14 countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Nature and Scope:
The Security Specialist will serve as a technical resource to WUSC staff and volunteers, providing security management support, risk assessment and analysis, security awareness training, timely safety and security guidance and information.
Responsibilities:
Standards, Policies and Procedures Compliance
- Lead the review and enhancement of safety and security standards, policies and best practices in accordance with our duty of care obligations in Canada and in the countries where we operate
- Lead/support country teams to implement the above
- Monitor compliance, conduct and/or monitor audits and assist country program teams to meet the security standards and policies, and help revise or establish protocols for personnel (staff, volunteers and consultants) and their dependents
- Apply gender equality principles to all procedures as mandated by WUSC policies
Security Awareness and Training
- Assess and prioritise training needs and conduct (or co-ordinate) training as part of personnel deployment and travel preparedness and as part of the induction process for new staff
- Provide guidance and support to staff in preparing safety and security information for the volunteer programs (pre-departure security and in-country training)
- Provide required training to relevant personnel in Canada and field offices on security management, crisis management, traveller’s security and fragile/hostile environment awareness training
- Assist country program offices in arranging security training workshops, for staff and volunteers, appropriate to their security environments
- Where necessary, determine, negotiate and manage the contracts and relationships with external training providers, reviewing and evaluating content to ensure relevance
Security Management and Technical Support
- Provide leadership on safeguarding, security and crisis management for all personnel, with a direct line to the crisis or security management teams for all programs
- Monitor and assess safety and security trends that may affect WUSC and provide recommendations to security management teams
- Conduct security assessment for new programming or current programming as required
- Support program teams by providing ongoing advice and responding to safeguarding and security issues, queries, assessment needs or support as required
- Receive all incident notices and reports, and assist in developing strategies to manage incidents and security situations
- Support field security risks assessments – help research and assess all factors pertaining to security in programming regions, examining key issues related to staff, assets, offices, residences, field sites, projects and partnerships, and help compile reports with findings and recommendations
- Monitor the effectiveness of the security management systems on a continual basis, including the effectiveness of procedures, materials and tools and the security preparedness of the security management teams and the Canadian and field staff/country teams.
Security Monitoring and Timely Advisory Information
- Monitor daily security notifications to identify key alerts and emerging trends, and produce and distribute communications to appropriate personnel
- Provide alerts on immediate threats and emerging security trends of concern to key personnel for informed decision making
- Monitor and record key security decisions
- Establish regular contacts and dialogs with each field office and Regional Coordinators, drafting reports and analyzing developments in security
- Analyze information and maintain a clear picture of evolving global, regional or local political context affecting the security of personnel and dependents in programming area
Internal and External Networking
- Work closely with WUSC’s health & safety committees and security management teams on health, safety and security issues, learning and sharing best practices
- Participate in relevant key INGO and security coordination networks to keep abreast of the latest developments in security management
- Liaise with external security counterparts and provide advice to WUSC on government policy change, obligations, insurance, likely to impact the organization’s security policies and practices and decision making
- When appropriate, share information, exchange on tools, frameworks, benchmarks from other INGOs and discussion to support the optimization of security management systems
Qualifications
Experience
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible relevant experience in an international NGO or organization that deploys personnel internationally
- Experience in designing and implementing security and safeguarding management and training plans, including risk assessments and mitigation measures
- A minimum of two years international field experience, with work experience in high risk environments
- Working experience on cross organisational initiatives and working/coordination with colleagues from various departments and teams
Skills and Knowledge
- Strong technical competency in safety and security management and knowledge of principles and current best practices in security management models/frameworks
- Ability to actively support team members and facilitate their engagement and compliance with policies and procedures
- Ability to facilitate the learning of others and support training initiatives
- Commitment to our organizational mission, values and approach
- Excellent written and spoken communication and reporting skills
- Self-starter; ability to work alone and as part of a team, prioritise tasks, and deliver against deadlines
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills
- Sensitivity to cultural differences and ability to adapt to different contexts
- Adherence to the principles of gender equality
- A high level of computer literacy
Education
- Post-graduate university degree (or bachelor’s degree plus relevant experience) in International Development, Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Emergency/Risk Management, or related area
Languages
- Competency in English and French are required. Competency in Arabic or Spanish is an asset.
Location/Travel
- Position is based in Ottawa with possible travel to our overseas locations
- Must be willing and able to travel internationally to insecure regions
Applications:
WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all abilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.
If you wish to apply for this position, please follow this link to register on WUSC’s candidate database.