Principal, Regional Security Manager

About the Role:

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced security professional to join our team as the Principal, Regional Security Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This pivotal role is responsible for safeguarding the Bank’s operations, assets, and personnel across a diverse and dynamic region that includes Kenya, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal. As the Regional Security Manager, you will be at the forefront of ensuring the safety and security of both our local and expatriate staff, as well as visitors to the region.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Security Leadership: Develop and implement a comprehensive security operating model for the SSA region, ensuring alignment with EBRD’s global security standards.

• Emergency Preparedness: Design and maintain robust emergency response plans that address potential security incidents, natural disasters, and deteriorating security conditions. Ensure these plans are relevant, practiced, and fully compliant with Bank standards.

• Office and Residential Security: Oversee the physical and technical security of EBRD premises and staff residences, ensuring compliance with EBRD and United Nations (UN) standards. This includes managing subcontracted guard forces and third-party security providers.

• Movement Control: Ensure that all business travel within the SSA region adheres to EBRD and UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) operational procedures, maintaining stringent movement controls.

• Training and Development: Collaborate with the Headquarters team to deliver effective security training programs for EBRD staff and consultants, ensuring that all training is relevant, impactful, and within budget.

• Intelligence and Risk Analysis: Continuously monitor security threats, conduct risk assessments, and provide timely briefings and reports to staff and management. Develop country-specific security risk analyses in coordination with the Headquarters Security Analyst.

• Liaison and Relationship Building: Establish and maintain strong working relationships with local and regional stakeholders, including Embassies, UNDSS, police, and security services, to enhance intelligence sharing and response capabilities.

 

Qualifications & Experience:

• Professional Background: Proven experience as a security professional with a substantial track record in the police, armed forces, or security services, particularly in volatile or unstable environments.

• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to manage in high-pressure situations, instilling confidence and credibility in challenging circumstances.

• Operational Expertise: Extensive experience in the design and implementation of security and emergency procedures, including Executive Protection for Senior Management and VIPs.

• Project Management: Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee complex security operations.

• Language Skills: Fluent in English (both written and spoken); knowledge of French is advantageous but not essential.

• Training and Development: Experience in delivering structured training programs to multicultural audiences.

• Qualifications: A recognized security qualification is required; additional safety qualifications are desirable. Significant operational experience may be considered in lieu of formal qualifications.

 

What is it like to work at the EBRD?

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people’s lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in. 

 

The EBRD environment provides you with:

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in;
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital  transformation at the heart of what we do.

 

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities.  As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.

 

Please note, that due to the high volume of applications received, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide detailed feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted (for further consideration).

 

Right to Work in the UK: Swiss nationals (and all other non-UK employees) can work in the UK without a Visa – working at the EBRD gives all employees “exempt status”. The Bank however encourages all non-UK employees to obtain an Exempt Vignette (EV) prior to relocating to the UK, as without an EV you may face more questions at Border Control and when required to show evidence of their exempt status when renting accommodation under the Right to Rent legislation. The application process may take 3 – 4 weeks approx. outside of the UK. 

 

This is how cinfo can support you in the application process for this specific position: 

• Application preparation: Before you apply for this position: Improve your application documents by registering for a Job Application Support. Our coaches are here to help tailor your application to the requirements of the job (service provided at your own cost). 

• Interview preparation: When invited to the interview: Prepare for the interview by registering for a Job Application Support. 

• Additional services for  Swiss nationals who get invited to  the selection process (written test, interview, assessment centre, etc.): 

  • Let us know by writing to recruitment@cinfo.ch. We flag matching applications to HR partners and SDC/SECO for visibility. 

  • Benefit from free interview/assessment preparation by registering here: Interview and Assessment Centre Preparation for Jobs in Multilateral Organisations. Our coaches stand ready to help prepare for upcoming interview/assessment centre.​