About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated Security Director, Assistance, for the Mashreq & Iran, East & Southern Africa, and EECA regions to join our team of security professionals at the Dubai Regional Security Center.

The Security Director, Assistance (Mashreq & Iran, East & Southern Africa, EECA) is a pivotal leadership role overseeing security assistance within a designated region and supporting the global security assistance programme. This senior position demands a well-rounded skillset encompassing leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to exceptional client service.

Key responsibilities

Core Client & Internal Support:

The Security Director, Assistance, leads a team overseeing security assistance for clients in high-risk situations. They ensure top-notch client service, manage resources for key security activities, and maintain a robust regional preparedness program. The role requires collaboration with internal teams and external partners to gather intelligence, deliver effective security solutions, and continuously improve processes for optimal client support within a specific region.

Consulting Delivery & Sales, Marketing Support:

This role acts as a regional security champion, overseeing security services for internal departments and providing training to senior clients. They'll also contribute to business development by supporting sales and marketing efforts with regional security expertise and client interaction.

Leadership:

This high-level position combines leadership and security expertise. As a member of the regional Executive Committee, you'll provide strategic security guidance and lead both routine and crisis security assistance for the region. You'll manage and develop a team of security professionals, including offering 24/7 support, while fostering strong relationships with internal teams and external security partners.

Required Skills & Knowledge

• Extremely strong knowledge of security risk management best practices and principles across a diversity of risk environments, supported by in-country experience in challenging/hostile environments.
• Significant knowledge of directing, planning and managing complex Security Assistance operations.
• Very strong knowledge of the political and security landscape within Mashreq & Iran, East & Southern Africa, EECA.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including ability to explain complex situations and advice to non-expert audiences in English.
• Ability to critically analyze multiple streams of security, logistics and threat-based information under time pressure and produce actionable advice and plans of action.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural, cross functional, global, matrixed business.
• Knowledge of and experience in managing all stages of an operational intelligence cycle.
• A self-starter with a highly developed sense of urgency and mission focus.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office Suite and other applications.

Required Work Experience & Qualifications

• Typically, at least 10+ years’ experience in Security Assistance delivery and planning including deployed experience in hostile and/or challenging environments in military, police, government, NGO, or private sector roles ideally in Mashreq & Iran, East & Southern Africa, EECA.
• Team leadership and management experience, ideally including remote management or hybrid working.
• Experience in planning, managing, and conducting complex security assistance operations.
• Experience in writing to senior management and decision-makers.
• Experience working internationally and managing cross-culturally.
• Experience in the risk management field, especially when applied to security risk management.
• Public speaking and training delivery experience.
• Business development, consultancy, and sales experience.
• Significant experience in conducting profile specific security risk assessments.
• Quality management experience.
• Crisis Management experience.
• Educated to a degree level (or relevant professional training & experience) in a field related to security studies, war studies, international politics, international relations or similar.
• Accreditation by regionally recognized security or risk management body.

Required Languages

• Excellent spoken and written English language.
• Other language proficiency desirable: Arabic, Russian, French, Persian, Urdu or other regional languages.

Travel / Rotation Requirements:

• Some travel, sometimes on urgent request.
• Periodic evening/weekend work based on operational requirements.