Job Description

The Director of Security will be responsible for establishing and maintaining NED’s overall security strategy and program, including compliance monitoring and enforcement. The Director of Security will oversee and manage NED’s office facility and the security needs of hundreds of staff members who travel regularly to support partners in high-risk environments around the world. The role requires a particular focus and expertise in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), travel security, and event logistics.

Description

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a 501(c)3, bipartisan organization that serves as America’s leading foundation for freedom, providing support for democratic activists, civil society organizations, and independent media throughout the world. NED seeks an experienced, motivated, energetic, organized, and resourceful Director of Security, who is a mission-driven institutional team player and would be excited to join an organization with evolving institutional security needs given today's global challenges to democracy. This position sits in the Office of the COO and is based in Washington, D.C.

Position Summary:

The Director of Security will be responsible for establishing and maintaining NED’s overall security strategy and program, including compliance monitoring and enforcement. The Director of Security will oversee and manage NED’s office facility and the security needs of hundreds of staff members who travel regularly to support partners in high-risk environments around the world. The position will require occasional travel including to high-risk areas.

Responsibilities:

Global Security Leadership

• Serve as NED’s senior-most safety and security expert, providing overarching leadership and guidance on safety, security, and risk mitigation across the enterprise.
• Enhance NED’s safety and security posture, including developing a strategic plan to improve safety, security, and travel risk tolerance and management across the organization.
• Work closely with departmental and regional leads to understand the ongoing operating environments where NED supports activities and where team members travel.
• Provide guidance, support, and capacity-building to NED team members regarding travel and operational safety and security.
• Liaise with the Emergency Response Team as needed.
• Manage all policies and procedures related to travel security, liaise with service providers, and ensure all staff are trained and maintain a high degree of knowledge and situational awareness of travel security.
• Maintain and integrate NED’s Duty of Care standard and approach and ensure adherence and adaptation.
• Provide cohesive security risk management frameworks and proactive leadership on emerging security issues.

Policy and Process Development

• Conduct an initial safety and security risk assessment across the organization and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Develop a Business Continuity Plan for NED that outlines our approach and response to managing unforeseen events.
• Ensure NED has up-to-date policies, procedures, and training related to safety, security, and risk oversight and mitigation.
• Develop and implement safety and security protocols as needed.
• Develop and deliver security training that is relevant and context-specific including ICT training in coordination with the IT team.
• Provide leadership to the Crisis Management Team and ensure adequate security protocols are in place to address unique security challenges.
• Manage and develop—where needed—all staff-related security policies.

Training, Communication and Coordination

• Actively monitor the global security situation and provide real-time updates to staff whose work and personal safety may be impacted by the various security threats.
• Serve as a key business partner for NED’s executive leadership team to help guide decision-making based on staff safety and security.
• Build a network of safety and security resources globally, including coordination with other NGO and USG security professionals, to enhance NED’s access to real-time information and seek out best practices in the field of safety and security.
• Develop and deliver context-specific safety and security training for staff and in coordination with IT, design and deliver ICT training.

Logistics and Operations

• Oversee and manage high-profile event travel and security logistics for both domestic and international events. Travel as needed to support health/safety/security risk management and mitigation for events and trips.
• Oversee and manage vendor contracts related to safety and security.
• Participate in fraud/ethics case management that involves safety and security.
• Coordinate medical and security evacuations with NED’s insurance vendor.
• Manage and administer the Communications Portal and Travel Tracker.
• Support event and trip planning efforts by providing strategic and budgetary guidance for security needs.
• Prepare and present reports on security matters to senior leadership and the Board of Directors.

Facilities

• Oversee and manage the Office Services team.
• Participate in planning, logistics, operational support, and execution of NED events, Board meetings, and other meetings/events in the NED office or locations hosted by NED.
• Maintain the Office Services and Facilities budget, vendors, access control, security, space management, and life support systems.

Knowledge/Experience:

• BA in relevant fields such as Security Management and International Relations; cyber and travel security experience/certifications preferable.
• 10+ years of relevant experience or 12+ years of experience instead of education with increasing responsibility.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively manage and guide teams.
• Excellent communication skills for liaising with various stakeholders, including executive leadership and external partners.
• International, field-based experience in difficult or hostile environments.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic security plans and policies.
• Proficiency in conducting security training and building capacity within the organization.
• Experience with global security operations and understanding of diverse operating environments.
• Ability to monitor and respond to global security threats in real time.
• Strong analytical skills to assess risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ability and willingness to occasionally travel to difficult and high-risk environments; availability to respond to emergencies on short notice and outside of work hours; and demonstrated ability to work under pressure.
• Strong networks in the field of travel and cybersecurity.
• Deep understanding of secure use of a wide range of social media platforms; and travel-related ICT security protocols and tools.
• Knowledge of broader IT security issues to ensure effective communication with the IT department, which is responsible for IT security.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to coordinate and engage with a diverse professional staff and a wide range of departments, including Information Technology, HR, Communications, Operations, Programs, Emergency Response, and Finance.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-stress environment.
• High EQ and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Authorized to work in the United States.

To Apply:

Applications must include a cover letter, resume, desired salary, and contact information for three professional references, of which one should be a supervisor. Please, no phone call inquiries. Located in Washington, D.C., the salary range for this role is $123,250 – 164,250 USD , plus benefits. The final offer for a successful candidate will be determined by a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations.

NED strives to create a work experience that supports the well-being and healthy work-life balance of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package offers health insurance (includes no copay for mental health services), a generous retirement savings plan, paid parental, vacation, and sick leave, a hybrid workplace model, flexible work schedules, and wellness initiatives to ensure a positive work-life balance.

The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics covered by applicable law.

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