FCDO: Post Security and Health & Safety Manager – Lima

Main purpose of job:  

The Post Security and Health & Safety Manager is a core member of the Corporate Services Team (CST) and the primary security lead for the cross-Departmental and medium-sized embassy in Lima. CST is a diverse team of 13 corporate staff, both administrative and technical, with oversight of outsourced service providers. The role is to promote a safe and secure working environment for the staff of and visitors to the Embassy. They would fulfil this role by leading the development and implementation of high standards for the management of physical, technical and personnel security, as well as management of fire and seismic health and safety, including through effective collaboration with corporate partners.

Reporting to the Head of Corporate Services, the Post Security and H&S Manager in Lima will manage the Embassy’s Security Team, playing an integral role in the delivery of security strategy and operations to reduce and mitigate risks. The jobholder will assist the Regional Security Adviser (who works remotely from Buenos Aires) in overseeing and implementing security policy, processes, and physical and technical security measures at the embassy. They will be first point of contact assistance and subject matter expertise on security-related issues to a range of stakeholders, and will manage our security guard contract. In addition, the role will act as Transport Manager and will strategically and proactively manage the embassy driver’s schedules, managing the team of embassies drivers and vehicle fleet, the embassy transport policy and our contracts with our taxi providers.

The jobholder’s responsibility as Health & Safety Manager will involve leading the embassy’s approach to risk assessment and mitigation on fire and seismic safety, in addition to wider H&S policies. In addition, the jobholder will be the embassy’s Crisis Coordinator for the embassy monitoring risk and responding effectively to emerging threats, as well as being responsible for coordinating embassy crisis training and preparedness with the Deputy Head of Mission (DHM).

The role-holder will exhibit high levels of interpersonal skills and independence in their management of a small team, as well as maintaining critical network of contractors, suppliers, stakeholders, and partners.

Roles and responsibilities:

Security Leadership and Management (45%) 

• Serve as the Embassy’s lead security adviser, providing expert guidance to staff, stakeholders and senior leadership on all security matters.
• Monitor and assess local and regional threats, and security breaches, coordinating with the Regional Security Adviser (RSA), Post Security Officer (PSO), and local authorities to implement appropriate risk mitigation strategies and post States of Vigilance (SOV).
• Responsibility for liaising with local and regional police and offering security advice for HMA and all HMG staff travel in countries, including security briefings.
• Manage all aspects of physical, technical, and personnel security, including access control systems, CCTV, security equipment, mail, building security and vetting processes and conducting periodic checks and patrols.
• Lead on the implementation of security policies, procedures, and drills, ensuring compliance with FCDO standards and local regulations.
• Oversee the Embassy’s security posture, including the development and review of Post Security Regulations and incident response protocols.
• Responsibility for all aspects of residential security.
• Act as the primary liaison for VVIP security arrangements, visiting dignitaries, Kings Messengers, including coordination with local law enforcement and diplomatic missions.
• Responsible for all security aspects and plans for embassy and residence events, including conducting risk assessment, planning and executing effective security strategy for Embassy events and visits that ensures commensurate levels of security, balanced against threat and business need.
• Support the PSO by managing administration for quarterly Post Security Committees.

Guard Force and Contract Management (20%) 

•  Manage the Embassy’s security guarding contract, ensuring performance standards are met and that guards are trained, equipped, and supported, ensuring robust standing orders are up to date so that security policy and procedures are adhered to and operational effectiveness is maintained at all times.
• Supervise the guard force (made up of 8 guards), ensuring effective delivery of manned guarding services including access control, patrolling, surveillance, and incident response and customer service.
• Maintain oversight of contract KPIs, budget, and contractor compliance with contract requirements, as well as maintaining appropriate standards of welfare and duty of care obligations. Lead on Liaison and manage communication with the guard supervisor and contract manager.

Health and Safety (H&S) Oversight (15%)

• Lead on all aspects of health and safety at the Embassy, including fire and seismic safety, policy development, and compliance with FCDO and local standards.
• Coordinate with Estates and Compliance teams to implement preventative maintenance plans and remedial works.
• Lead on ensuring embassy H&S capability including Organising and lead safety drills, training, and an annual Security, Health & Safety Week to promote awareness and preparedness. Support the Health & Safety Committee and ensure accurate record-keeping and policy updates.
• Review, update and implement effective policies in close co-operation with regional advisors and H&S Committee, proactively manage Estates H&S policies, keeping files and records, and providing advice and instruction to staff and contractors at the contractual stage of projects and while works are taking place.

Transport and Fleet Management (15%)

• Act as the Embassy’s Transport Manager, strategically managing transport provision and overseeing a fleet of official vehicles and managing two drivers.
• Develop and strategically manage driver schedules and transport provision, ensure vehicle documentation and maintenance, and manage corporate taxi accounts.
• Lead on the Embassy’s Transport Policy, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant transport operations, and manage contracts of embassy’s corporate accounts.

Crisis Preparedness and Response (5%)

• Take a lead role on crisis coordination work for the Embassy, working closely with the PSO on development of crisis plans, preparedness and quarterly Crisis Committees.
• Plan emergency response and crisis drills, organise crisis training sessions (to be delivered by others), maintain crisis equipment, and support crisis awareness amongst colleagues.
• This is separate to the specific role the Post Security and H&S Manager will have during a crisis, as Crisis Security Manager.

These responsibilities will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the embassy. The above is an indicative outline of roles and responsibilities required of the role.  The FCDO operates an agile workforce. To facilitate this, you may be required to undertake other duties from time to time as we may reasonably require. For example, this could include the management of high-level official visits from the UK and/or supporting embassy events.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure): 

• Management of a team of 2 direct managees: 1 Drivers and 1 Deputy Security Manager and Driver.
• Management of the Embassy guard force made up of 7 guards, as well as management of the security contract (worth £82.5K), including liaison with the contracted Supervisor and management board.

Essential on arrival: 

• A minimum of 5 years previous security related experience, with expert understanding of the Peruvian security context.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including on technical and policy issues for a senior audience.
• Good team player with excellent interpersonal skills, including experience of managing diverse relationships and teams.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work unsupervised with strategic awareness.
• Flexibility and ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.
• Relevant experience using MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams).
• Experience managing budgets, contracts, and resources effectively

Language requirements: 

• Language: English and Spanish
• Level of language required:  High level of fluency and professional proficiency required in both.