Employer: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Location: Worldwide Multiple Locations
Application Deadline: July 18, 2021
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an Operational Security Advisor to play a key role in fostering a security culture at HRW that is rooted in consistency, creativity, compassion and competence, and where security staff are seen by others as helpful, approachable, and practical. People are at the centre of this security culture, and in this role you will provide hands-on operational security support to HRW’s people across the organization. You will be heavily engaged in conducting individualized risk assessments for staff and offices and will advise on appropriate risk mitigation measures to ensure the organization is meeting its duty of care to its people. You will support the systematization of duty of care across HRW’s areas of work, and may be called upon to support the security team in other ways as we grow our work. This position reports to the Physical Security Director based in Ottawa, Canada. The Operational Security Advisor can be based globally and will require travel (up to 30%) when it is safe to do so.
Due to COVID-19, many of our global offices are currently closed or operating in reduced capacities. You may be required to work remotely initially, or if local requirements mandate it. We recognize that this moment, during the pandemic, is a uniquely difficult time for most people, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, and we aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.
Responsibilities
Security Planning (40 %)
a. Facilitate risk assessments for individuals, teams and offices facing heightened risk due to their locations or profiles, and advise on appropriate prevention, preparedness and response measures for the risks identified;
b. Remain abreast of changes in the security environments where HRW works and liaise with staff and management to update plans and ways of working as needed;
c. Support planning across the organization for releases of significant and controversial research;
d. Support planning for special events and development/fundraising activities;
Travel Risk Management (40%)
e. Oversee the security components of HRW’s travel management system;
f. Lead personalized safety and security planning for high-risk travel and work (pre-trip risk assessments and briefings; pre-trip planning for appropriate prevention, preparedness and response measures; and support and advice during the trip/research) in coordination with the information security staff;
Risk Analysis and Reporting (10%)
g. In coordination with the Security Coordinator, conduct research on security risks pertaining to our areas of operation and topics of research, and advise the Physical Security Director of new developments that need to be on the team’s radar;
Other (10%)
h. Share representation of HRW’s security team in external networks and fora;
i. Provide cover for the Physical Security Director during their leave, including for critical incident management;
j. Provide training and orientation support as required by the security team; and
k. Carry out other duties as required by the security team.
Qualifications
Education: A level of education that when combined with your professional experience will adequately show you have the capability to contribute meaningfully to the security team.
Experience: Five (5) years relevant work experience, including 3-5 years developing risk assessments and security plans that support high risk work and travel, particularly for human rights defenders, journalists, or humanitarians
Related Skills and Expertise:
• We are building a security culture rooted in consistency, creativity, compassion and competence. You align with these values and have applied them to security work in the past.
• You have a strong background in conducting individual and team risk assessments in ways that are participatory and inclusive.
• You communicate clearly, concisely and compassionately to people from different backgrounds, cultures and abilities
• You are able to bring staff alongside difficult decisions
• You gain and extend trust to others quickly and you model integrity
• You have a strong ability to influence others
• You can communicate well in English
• We would like to enhance our ability to support our French-speaking colleagues in their own language, and will be especially excited to see applicants who can converse comfortably in French.
• You have experience and the ability to promote and demonstrate resilience and a work/life balance
We especially welcome candidates who do not meet the traditional profile of security professionals. In particular, this means people of colour, women, people living with disabilities, gender-queer folks, and those without military/policing backgrounds. You’ll be joining a small security team who span multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders, and geographical locations. We feel this diversity helps us best understand and meet the needs of our global workforce at HRW, and we look forward to welcoming you and your uniqueness to our team!
Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. Salary is based on experience, location, and internal equity. HRW offers a relocation assistance package and can assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization in countries where we have a registered office (full list here), if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.
Apply Online
Location: Worldwide Multiple Locations
Application Deadline: July 18, 2021
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an Operational Security Advisor to play a key role in fostering a security culture at HRW that is rooted in consistency, creativity, compassion and competence, and where security staff are seen by others as helpful, approachable, and practical. People are at the centre of this security culture, and in this role you will provide hands-on operational security support to HRW’s people across the organization. You will be heavily engaged in conducting individualized risk assessments for staff and offices and will advise on appropriate risk mitigation measures to ensure the organization is meeting its duty of care to its people. You will support the systematization of duty of care across HRW’s areas of work, and may be called upon to support the security team in other ways as we grow our work. This position reports to the Physical Security Director based in Ottawa, Canada. The Operational Security Advisor can be based globally and will require travel (up to 30%) when it is safe to do so.
Due to COVID-19, many of our global offices are currently closed or operating in reduced capacities. You may be required to work remotely initially, or if local requirements mandate it. We recognize that this moment, during the pandemic, is a uniquely difficult time for most people, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, and we aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.
Responsibilities
Security Planning (40 %)
a. Facilitate risk assessments for individuals, teams and offices facing heightened risk due to their locations or profiles, and advise on appropriate prevention, preparedness and response measures for the risks identified;
b. Remain abreast of changes in the security environments where HRW works and liaise with staff and management to update plans and ways of working as needed;
c. Support planning across the organization for releases of significant and controversial research;
d. Support planning for special events and development/fundraising activities;
Travel Risk Management (40%)
e. Oversee the security components of HRW’s travel management system;
f. Lead personalized safety and security planning for high-risk travel and work (pre-trip risk assessments and briefings; pre-trip planning for appropriate prevention, preparedness and response measures; and support and advice during the trip/research) in coordination with the information security staff;
Risk Analysis and Reporting (10%)
g. In coordination with the Security Coordinator, conduct research on security risks pertaining to our areas of operation and topics of research, and advise the Physical Security Director of new developments that need to be on the team’s radar;
Other (10%)
h. Share representation of HRW’s security team in external networks and fora;
i. Provide cover for the Physical Security Director during their leave, including for critical incident management;
j. Provide training and orientation support as required by the security team; and
k. Carry out other duties as required by the security team.
Qualifications
Education: A level of education that when combined with your professional experience will adequately show you have the capability to contribute meaningfully to the security team.
Experience: Five (5) years relevant work experience, including 3-5 years developing risk assessments and security plans that support high risk work and travel, particularly for human rights defenders, journalists, or humanitarians
Related Skills and Expertise:
• We are building a security culture rooted in consistency, creativity, compassion and competence. You align with these values and have applied them to security work in the past.
• You have a strong background in conducting individual and team risk assessments in ways that are participatory and inclusive.
• You communicate clearly, concisely and compassionately to people from different backgrounds, cultures and abilities
• You are able to bring staff alongside difficult decisions
• You gain and extend trust to others quickly and you model integrity
• You have a strong ability to influence others
• You can communicate well in English
• We would like to enhance our ability to support our French-speaking colleagues in their own language, and will be especially excited to see applicants who can converse comfortably in French.
• You have experience and the ability to promote and demonstrate resilience and a work/life balance
We especially welcome candidates who do not meet the traditional profile of security professionals. In particular, this means people of colour, women, people living with disabilities, gender-queer folks, and those without military/policing backgrounds. You’ll be joining a small security team who span multiple racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders, and geographical locations. We feel this diversity helps us best understand and meet the needs of our global workforce at HRW, and we look forward to welcoming you and your uniqueness to our team!
Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. Salary is based on experience, location, and internal equity. HRW offers a relocation assistance package and can assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization in countries where we have a registered office (full list here), if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.
Apply Online