Country Security Specialist at the World Bank Group

The World Bank Group - Established in 1944, the WBG is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2018, the WBG committed $67 billion in loans, grants, equity investments and guarantees to its members and private businesses, of which $24 billion was concessional finance to its poorest members. It is governed by 188-member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Country Security Specialist

Job ID.: req32709
Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time
Grade: GF
Sector: General Services
Recruitment type: International Recruitment
Term Duration: 3 years, 0 months

General

• The position of Country Security Specialist (CSS) will be located in the Country Office in Abuja and will be responsible for the security programs at World Bank Group IBRD and IFC Offices in Nigeria.
• The incumbent CSS will report to, and receive support and direction from the Manager (based in Nairobi, Kenya), through the Senior Security Specialist (SSS) for the Central Africa Region (based in Yaoundé, Cameroon).
• The incumbent will advise and consult with management in the WBG Office of responsibility and will discharge his/her assignment under the direct authority and guidance of the IBRD and IFC Head of Office in Nigeria. 
• The CSS may, when requested, be required to provide occasional back-up support to WBG Country Offices and other Country Security Specialists in the Central Africa Region, and possibly to other geographical regions, and may be required to travel on short notice. 
• In addition, the CSS will serve in a full-time capacity and on-call for emergencies.

Roles and Responsibilities
The duties of the Country Security Specialist are to provide security support to WBG Country Office Management and staff in the following areas:

• Security risk management; 
• Security awareness; 
• Contingency planning; 
• Protective operations;
• Guard force contract management; 
• Provide 24-hour on call emergency security support to IBRD and IFC Country Office and staff.

Security Risk Management:

• Assist Senior Security Specialist and Country Office Management in developing and overseeing the day-to-day conduct of the office security programs and ensuring preparation of adequate responses to security incidents and natural and man-made disasters.
• Provide inputs for the preparation of the Security Risk Assessment for Nigeria may be required from time-to-time.
• Manage the video surveillance, card access and other physical security and fire/life safety systems. 
• Carry out testing and evacuation drills periodically.
• Manage the Country Office major security equipment programs (portable items such as handheld/ walk-through metal detectors, package screening devices, communications, and ECM equipment) to include the procurement process when applicable.
• Provide technical security advice to and coordinate with Corporate Real Estate, in consultation with the Senior Security Specialist and headquarters security staff, for all existing facilities and any potential new offices to include site selection, renovation of existing facilities and installation of effective physical and procedural security measures.
• Monitor and advise on overall residential security for newly acquired and existing residences of international staff and upon request provide general residential security advice to all staff.
• Provide advice on security arrangements at hotels, restaurants, ministries diplomatic/international organizations and other locations which staff may visit for business or recreation purposes.
• Advise on the implementation of the WBG Road Safety policy in the area of responsibility.
• Liaise with host government security and law enforcement officials as appropriate and with security advisors for diplomatic/international organizations and private security firms to establish a network of contacts.
• Assist staff and visiting missions in reporting incidents (Corporate Security, UNDSS, host government, etc.). 
• Ensure country office has a viable system is in place to track staff and visiting missions, note arrival/departure/ residence changes, contact details while at the field location, and coordinate with UNDSS and the WBG Security Operations Center, including internal UN Security clearance program requirements.
• Represent WBG and GCS at security meetings, as appropriate.
• Prepare security program for periodic program reviews.

Security Awareness:

• Provide newly arriving staff and visiting missions with practical security advice and contact information in advance of their visit and briefings upon arrival including communications and logistical support for field missions.
• Draft staff security advisories on risk mitigation in response to the general security situation, following significant specific incidents and during periods of heightened risk.
• Conduct periodic security awareness briefings and training for all staff.

Contingency Planning:

• Assist with the coordination and revisions of the Crisis Management Plan (CMP) on an annual basis or more frequently as required or directed.
• Serve as advisor to or as a member of the Country Office Crisis Management Teams (CMT).
• Maintain and update as necessary all Country Office contingency planning material, reference documents and annexes.
• Maintain and coordinate with periodic test the staff telephone tree, warden system and other local contingency plans.
• Organize periodic security and fire/life safety training and briefings for all staff. Conduct appropriate emergency drills (fire, shelter-in-place, and bomb threat).
• Maintain and enhance the Country Office emergency contact and locator systems and ensure coordination between the Country Office, UNDSS, and the WBG Security Operations Center (SOC).
• Continually assess in-country relocation and out-of-country evacuation options.

Protective Operations:

• Provide advice on protective operations to include when applicable, the coordination of official vehicle movements, and any special security required for specific movements, locations, or individuals, conduct site advance security assessments and coordinate security arrangements.
• Plan emergency response actions in the event of an emergency or a direct or indirect threat to staff. 
• Take proactive measures to prevent involvement in such activities and perform reactively to avoid/escape from those in progress.
• Arrange the appropriate level of security for visiting senior World Bank officials.
• Arrange continuing or special host government protective services support for staff, visiting missions and facilities as necessary.
• Coordinate security arrangements for World Bank Group sponsored conferences and training events held in country as required.
• Assist with the development of security policies and procedures to include approved/prohibited locations and to ensure a mechanism is in place to keep staff informed.

Guard Force Contract Management

• Support the Management of the Country Office security guard services contracts to include the procurement process, contract extensions, conducting periodic reviews with guard services contract management, certification of invoices, documentation of non-performance and other issues
• 24-Hour on call Emergency Security Support to the responsible WBG Country Offices and staff (to include Visiting Mission staff).
• Other Responsibilities May Be Assigned.

Selection Criteria

• Master's Degree with 5 years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in combination with seven years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree. 
• A career level diploma (at least three consecutive years of training) from a military or police institution, college, or academy, in combination with seven years of security experience, may be exceptionally substituted for a bachelor's degree. 
• Five years of progressive experience in security program management with an international or diplomatic organization preferred.
• Knowledge and experience in security program delivery and project implementation, especially in the geographic area of responsibility.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, namely, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Proven proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English.  
• Willingness to travel to high-risk locations on short notice.
• Able to comfortably operate within a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with staff across the WBG.

Specialized Skills:

• In depth knowledge of the development of security policies and procedures and a general understanding of threat mitigation procedures and high-risk operations.
• Ability to develop detailed security advisories and notifications for consideration and implementation by Country Office management.
• Knowledge of the range of protective operations.
• Familiar with basic procurement procedures and project/resource management.

Application Closing Date
24th April, 2025; 11:59pm UTC.

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