KE-Senior Security Risk Manager (National)

Position Title:  Senior Security Risk Manager
Reports To:      Regional Representative / RSC Africa Director
Supervises:     Security Risk Management Specialist
Division:          CWS Africa
Department:    RSC, Africa
Team:               Regional
Job Location:  Nairobi

Grade Level:   9 

Introduction

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

The Senior Security Risk Manager (SSRM) is responsible for providing operational oversight, strategic leadership, and technical guidance on security matters across the CWS Africa region. The role involves the collection, analysis, and dissemination of emerging security threats and trends, supporting the development, review, and implementation of security standards, policies, and risk mitigation strategies within the coverage area. The SSRM acts as the primary security focal point, ensuring daily operational security and promoting a proactive, inclusive security culture across region.

In addition to operational responsibilities, the SSRM leads regional security planning, risk assessment, and emergency preparedness initiatives, ensuring the organization’s security policies are aligned with global standards and organizational values. They serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership, supporting organizational resilience and security culture through capacity building, mentorship, and external stakeholder engagement. The role encompasses a broad scope of security management, policy development, training and external collaboration to strengthen organizational security posture at the regional level.

Working Environment
• Physical presence in the office is required.
• Occasional holiday and weekend coverage.
• Travel to the field as may be required.
• Short notice response to emergencies, including on weekends and holidays.

Core Job Responsibilities:  

Strategic Security Leadership & Program Development (30%) 

• Establish, review, and advance regional security policies, frameworks, and strategic plans aligned with organizational goals and regional security dynamics. 

• Lead regional risk assessments, monitoring, and situational analysis, ensuring proactive identification of threats and vulnerabilities. 

• Develop and execute innovative security risk mitigation and resilience programs adaptable to diverse operational environments. 

• Drive integration of security considerations into regional programming, project design, and decision-making processes at senior management levels. 

Security Operations & Crisis Management (20%) 

• Lead and coordinate regional crisis and emergency response efforts, including scenario planning, drills, and simulations. 

• Oversee regional security incident responses, making high-impact decisions, and representing CWS in multi-stakeholder security forums. 

• Ensure organizational preparedness through continuous enhancement of contingency and evacuation plans for all operational sites. 

• Promote a security-first organizational culture, ensuring regional teams are trained, equipped, and capable of handling complex security incidents. 

Staff Training, Capacity Building & Leadership Development (20%) 

• Develop, oversee, and regularly update comprehensive security training programs for staff at all levels, including orientation, refresher courses, and specialized training (e.g., incident management, evacuation procedures, host country-specific risks). 

• Conduct, facilitate, and evaluate security training sessions, simulations, and drills to enhance staff readiness. 

• Lead capacity-building initiatives at regional and country levels, mentoring security focal points and local security personnel to ensure they are equipped with skills to manage security risks effectively. 

• Foster a safety and security culture through ongoing education, awareness campaigns, communication, and leadership development. 

• Ensure that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities during security incidents through clear training and communication channels. 

• Coordinate with internal departments such as HR and Operations to ensure security training is integrated into onboarding, staff development, and emergency preparedness plans. 

Stakeholder Engagement & External Representation (10%) 

• Cultivate strategic partnerships with governmental, UN, NGO, and private sector security actors to bolster information sharing, coordination, and joint security initiatives. 

• Lead regional security dialogue forums, representing CWS in multi-stakeholder working groups and high-level security committees. 

• Maintain situational awareness of the broader geopolitical, socioeconomic, and environmental context affecting security risks. 

Policy & Compliance Oversight (10%) 

• Ensure regional security practices align with international standards, organizational policies, and donor requirements. 

• Conduct periodic audits, assessments, and reviews of security systems, ensuring continuous improvement. 

• Keep senior leadership informed about global security trends, regional updates, and emerging threats. 

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in security management, International Relations, or a related field; Master’s degree is preferred. 

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressive security management experience in complex, high-risk environments, with at least 4 years in managerial or regional leadership roles. 

• Extensive knowledge of international security standards (e.g., UN, INGO frameworks), legal, and regulatory requirements. 

• Proven ability to lead security teams, manage multi-stakeholder relations, and influence organizational security culture at a strategic level. 

• Demonstrated expertise in designing, delivering, and evaluating security training and capacity-building programs at regional or organizational levels. 

• Experience with conducting security risk assessments, crisis management, and developing emergency response training modules. 

• Fluency in English; proficiency in regional languages is an advantage. 

• Demonstrated strategic thinking, adaptability, and high-level decision-making skills. 

Experience:  

• 8–10 years of professional security management experience in complex, high-risk environments. 

• At least 4 years in managerial or regional leadership roles. 

• Experience developing and implementing security frameworks, conducting risk assessments, and responding to security emergencies. 

• Familiarity with physical security measures such as CCTV, safe room design, perimeter security, and access control. 

• Proven knowledge of international security standards (e.g., UN, INGO frameworks). 

• Experience working in or managing security for international or NGO operations, with regional or country-specific experience preferred. 

• Previous experience with USRAP is an advantage. 

Skills:  

• Strong analytical skills with excellent report-writing and documentation abilities for diverse audiences. 

• Demonstrated supervisory and performance management skills. 

• Excellent organizational and time management capabilities. 

• Advanced proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint); familiarity with security management software is an advantage. 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English; working knowledge of regional languages is an asset. 

Education & Certifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Security Management, International Relations, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. 

• Certified Security Risk Management professional (Country or /and regional level) is preferred.   

Abilities:  

• Ability to work independently with sound judgment and make strategic decisions. 

• Maintain high standards with close attention to detail and manage multiple priorities within deadlines. 

• Conduct risk analysis and strategic problem-solving. 

• Engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, including external agencies and local communities. 

• Adapt quickly to changing environments, including travel to insecure regions. 

• Foster a security-aware organizational culture through staff training and capacity-building initiatives. 

Important Requirements: 

• Strong English communication skills, both written and oral. 

• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment . 

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee . 

Special Requirements:  

• The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa. 

• This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya. 

• This position always requires use of laptops; competence in Microsoft office packages is . 

• This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet the demands of a dynamic operational program. 

• Background check, which includes references and an educational criminal check, is before the start of employment for international applicants. 

• A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is , which includes having enough passport pages for travel. 

• Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces. 

• The US Embassy rates Kenya as both HIGH in crime and HIGH in terrorism.  Incumbents should fully understand the insecurities present within Kenya and the region. 

• This position is Full time. 

• All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire.