BACKGROUND 

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.  

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 

The USAID-funded El Salvador Local Governance Solutions Activity will aim to support local governance in municipal consolidation, municipal financial sustainability, citizen engagement, improved service delivery (including safety and security) and address climate change and urbanization challenges.  

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Security Officer’s (SO) overall mission is to keep all project personnel and assets safe from harm. S/he has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day management and coordination of operational field security activities, provides continuous security and contextual information to the team, ensures compliance with corporate security policies and maintains liaison with the HQ Security Department.   

REPORTING & SUPERVISION 

The Security Officer reports to the Deputy Chief of Party (COP) and supervises the 2 drivers.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 

• Work with the HQ Security Team to develop, manage, and coordinate all Creative security and safety programs, plans and policies relevant to the project including detailed security procedures that comply with Creative security policies. This will include emergency response drills and communication procedures for the project. 

• Provides security, safety and risk mitigation advice and recommendations to the management team and staff. 

• Ensure that project staff comply with project security procedures. 

• Carry out security assessment of offices, compounds, vehicles, and expatriate housing and make recommendations for required security upgrades, as required. 

• Monitor and analyze the ongoing threat environment faced by the project and brief the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and other project staff accordingly. Distribute threat warnings to all staff as appropriate. 

• Ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are taken by the project to respond to the threats or changes in threats faced by the project. This is to include physical protection measures, safe working routines, movement restrictions, protection equipment and security staff provision, as required.  

• Oversee movement control and coordination for the project, including driver and vehicle deployment and staff whereabouts.  

• Responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle fleet and request maintenance service in coordination with the operations team. 

• If applicable, oversee the local security provider contracted by the project to ensure contractual compliance and performance of their duties, and act as the focal point of contact with the security provider. 

• Provide training, mentoring, and monitoring of the local security provider’s guards. 

• Conduct regular training and drills for project staff on lock down drills, office evacuation and fire drills.  

• Report security incidents, violations and recommended corrective actions, as appropriate, to the Chief of Party and HQ Security. 

• Ensure all new employees, consultants, and partners working in Creative offices and traveling in Creative vehicles receive appropriate security orientation and briefings. 

• Verify that all security devices such as locks, alarms, access systems and physical force protection measures are operational or reported for repair. 

• Carry out regular check in calls and communications tests with drivers and field personnel traveling outside of the main cities and or during any critical security incident. 

• Ensure visitor access and vehicle control systems are effective and appropriate for the threat environment. 

• Review and assign travel requests to ensure staff safety and manage all the logistics to ensure the program needs are satisfied. Assign and request external transportation services in case is needed.  

• Attend and response to any security emergencies that might affect to grantees and its personal, Program staff or beneficiaries during the program implementation. (these issues may occur during the weekends) 

• Maintain an “In Country Travel Register” to log and administer all in country and international travel by HCN and expatriate staff.    

• Work with the HQ Security Department to develop and maintain the project Crisis Response Plan in coordination with the Operations Manager and ensure that the contact information contained therein is always updated. 

• Provide, if directed, a weekly security report to the Chief of Party and HQ Security. 

• Be able to assist with out-of-hours emergency response for the project staff and partners, if needed. 

• Assist the project with business continuity planning, as required. 

• Ensure that the Creative Sensitive Information (CSI) Plan is distributed to and is being followed by project staff. 

• Serve as the liaison with the US Embassy Regional Security Officer and/or equivalent US Government personnel for project security matters, in coordination with the Chief of Party.  

• All of the above includes ensuring security protocols are understood and security drills are periodically conducted with staff in all locations, including regional offices. 

• Ensure field staff receive first aid and fire response training. 

• Ensure compliance with national labor regulations in relation to safety in the workplace. 

• Additional assignments, as instructed by the Deputy Chief of Party. 

The Security Officer should understand, brief and regularly train all project staff on: 

• The need for all staff to maintain a good level of situational awareness, and to report concerns. 

• Project movement / field trip planning and control procedures. 

• Project communications procedures including emergency phone trees, SMS blast service, and contact lists. 

• Office emergency response procedures including fire evacuation, direct threat lockdown, etc. 

• The need to avoid all demonstrations, possible demo sites and areas where crowd trouble could start. 

• The location of the nearest medical facilities. 

• Implement and execute actions relating to the Crisis Response Plan. 

Required Skills & Qualifications:  

• High school diploma required. University degree in a security-related field desired. 

• Minimum of four (4) years general work history is required.  

• Minimum of two (2) years professional experience in security management for an organization. 

• Experience working for an international organization or company.  

• Proven understanding of security management protocols essential. 

• Demonstrated ability to solve challenging and complicated security issues. 

• Ability to develop in-depth understanding of and willingness to comply with all Creative security policies and procedures.  

• Should have a proven and established network of contacts within the local security establishment in El Salvador. 

• Proficient at using Microsoft office software: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.  Prior experience using MS Access and web-based database applications.   

• Ability to draw information from a broad range of sources and provide concise and timely analysis and recommendations.  

• Demonstrated ability to engage all team members as resources to manage security and contextual awareness in a manner that is proactive. 

• Must have the physical capacity to travel extensively on short notice to project activity sites. 

• Advanced knowledge of English desired; medium level required.  

• Spanish language fluency. 

• Must have existing work authorization for El Salvador.  

Preferred Experience & Skills 

• Proven experience directly and indirectly supervising and managing staff and teams. 

• Experience with a USAID-funded or other international organization implementing a program operating in insecure areas is desired. 

• Strong ability to deploy and use various forms of tracking. 

• Develop security management and movement tracking systems. 

• Good communication and interpersonal skills are required. 

• Excellent record keeping, and documentation skills are required. 
• Working knowledge of modern technical security systems, security standards and procedures within the private sector of El Salvador.

Position contingent upon donor funding.   

Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.   

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran