PROJECT BACKGROUND:
DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability.DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action; action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.
DAI will implement the USAID funded Accountable Local Governance (ALG) Activity in the West Bank and Gaza with a main office in Ramallah and two field offices in North and Southwest Bank. ALG is a USAID initiative to improve the delivery of essential public services and promote inclusive and accountable governance in the West Bank and Gaza. ALG will enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of municipalities and village councils in service delivery and citizen engagement, with a focus on under-represented and marginalized groups; strengthen municipal fiscal management; and build resilience to shocks and stressors, such as conflict.
Given the current security situation, DAI seeks a full-time Security Manager.
ROLE PURPOSE:
This position serves as a key risk advisor to ALG’s Chief of Party and DAI Palestine’s Country Director, acting as Global Security’s extension in the project’s areas of operation. The Security Manager will report to the Global Security Director, Global Operations and Regional Security (Middle East & Central Asia) with a dotted line to the ALG Chief of Party (COP). These reporting lines establish separate responsibilities and accountability. The position will closely collaborate with DAI country and other project leadership to ensure a well-rounded and networked understanding of risk and security.
Rooted in a “Be Secure” culture, staff security is a DAI priority. DAI Global Security advises and enables DAI businesses to operate securely and provides DAI staff with the tools and preparation needed to be and feel as secure as practicable. To achieve this, the following principles apply:
- Keep our people secure,
- Adhere to client commitments, and
- Apply local context.
The Security Manager will:
- Support, design, and execute plans and procedures that shape a “Be Secure” culture across ALG locations.
- Monitor, assess, and report through established Global Security processes, enhancing understanding of threats and establishing informed mitigation measures for DAI’s people and work.
- Design and deliver training content, ensuring ALG staff are prepared and informed.
- Analyze and mitigate security risks affecting project staff, offices, and implementation, working directly with the Chief of Party to minimize risks and conduct security training for field staff.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic:
- Conduct security assessments (physical and political) through a localized and regional conflict lens, supporting scenario-based analysis and security planning.
- Develop, in coordination with the Global Security (GS) RSD and DAI Palestine Country Security Focal Point (CSFP), the project security plan.
- Design and deliver security training to ALG staff.
- Maintain close coordination with GS RSD, ALG leadership, and DAI Palestine to ensure understanding and alignment.
- Ensure a synchronized approach to obtaining necessary project permissions for access in all current and future areas of project operations.
- Develop and maintain a common and factual security understanding across project operations.
- Oversee and mentor project Field Security Focal Points (F-SFPs), ensuring best practices and a synchronized approach to security.
- Coordinate with security counterparts (government, INGO, Implementing Partner, and others as relevant).
- Ensure project F-SFPs and others with risk management roles (IT, Finance, Logistics, Compliance, HR) understand crosscutting risks.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive risk matrix for all locations.
- Foster a ‘Be Secure’ culture by exemplifying thoughtfulness, precision, and proactiveness in risk assessments, training, and communication.
- Research, identify, and share emerging threats and risks, developing threat/vulnerability analysis to complement preparedness, avoidance, and response.
- Provide weekly verbal and as-needed security updates to the COP and project leadership.
- Serve as a key member of ALG project resilience and business continuity structures, relying on risk management best practices.
- Act as the main ALG Point of Contact (PoC) for liaison with key in-country security coordinating bodies (agencies) and individuals.
Operational:
- Ensure Quality Control/Quality Assurance of local static and mobile security services.
- Advise and lead on emergency response as needed.
- Ensure plans, movements, operations, proposed changes, or recommendations are fair, reasonable, and contextually appropriate.
- Oversee budgets, equipment, technology, and personnel, allocating resources to meet changing security needs and new threats.
- Approve and manage security procurement items (communications equipment, vehicle tracking equipment, medical kits, security upgrades, ancillaries).
- Develop analysis and reporting templates and guidance in coordination with DAI Global Security, ensuring quality.
- Ensure legal, financial, and performance compliance from security providers.
- Provide written briefings and updates, including situation overviews, assessments, and recommendations.
- Support route assessments and provide travel management advice.
- Ensure the vehicle fleet is ready for safe travel and drivers are trained in threat detection and reporting.
- Conduct drills based on pre-identified risks on a biannual and as-needed basis.
- Track and analyze country-wide and project-specific incidents, devising necessary mitigations based on lessons learned.
- Visit ALG areas of operation quarterly and as needed, maintaining contact with law enforcement agencies across various administrative bodies impacting project operations.
Communication And Management:
- Communicate directly with Global Security and project stakeholders in all locations.
- Attend project leadership meetings and planning sessions to understand project and context-specific security concerns.
- Liaise with key in-country coordinating bodies, including Security Agencies, as required.
- Respond to emergencies and report to Global Security as required.
- Write scheduled and as-needed reports, including situation assessments and recommendations.
- Maintain and improve a coordinated security communication system across locations.
Compliance:
- Ensure security company contracts comply with local regulations, client, and DAI policies.
- Support HR and project teams in staff, subcontractor, provider, and vendor vetting as relevant.
Training
- Identify security training needs and develop corresponding training materials.
- Develop DAI-wide training materials in coordination with Global Security and relevant project security staff.
- Deliver security training quarterly and as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree with equivalent experience and a minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience.
- In-depth understanding of security, political, and economic challenges in project locations.
- Understanding of local security providers, their offerings, and gaps.
- Experience in the West Bank/Gaza.
- Demonstrated capability in analyzing information, synthesizing, and creating reports for decision-makers.
- Self-directed with strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks/competing priorities simultaneously.
- Proficient in MS Office applications.
- Able to handle confidential and/or sensitive information with discretion.
- Able to work in Ramallah.
- Able to travel to all current and future project locations.
- Excellent Arabic written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal and external stakeholders, and tailor communication style to diverse audiences.
- Conversational English with the ability to write and present.
- Able to build and maintain excellent working relationships with staff at all levels of the organization and external clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Willing to adjust work schedule, if needed, to support teams in different time zones.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree (MA or MSc) in International Relations, Risk Management, War Studies, International Security, International Development, or a relevant area of study.
- Professional working proficiency in English and Hebrew.
- Knowledge of PowerBI, Mapping software (Google Maps, ArcGIS), is a plus.
REPORTING
The Security Manager will report to the DAI Global Security Director, Global Operations and Regional Security (Middle East & Central Asia) and ALG Chief of Party (COP).
How to Apply:
Click on the following link to apply: https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/swgpeht02c/index