Hiring Organization: British Council
Location: United Kingdom
Closing date: 19 Aug 2025Job ID: 46589
Regional Safety & Security Manager (RSSM) Middle East & Northern Africa (MENA)
We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.
We connect. We inspire.
Contract Type: Indefinite
Right to Work Requirements: Right to Work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.
Closing Date: advert will close on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 5:59, 2025, 4:59 am UK time
UK Benefits:32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays.
3 days volunteering leave.
Career average defined benefit pension scheme.
Role Purpose
This role will:deliver operational and second line leadership and advice on Safety, Security & Continuity (SS&C) matters, within Middle East & Northern Africa (MENA), to risk owners within the allocated region/s and the wider organisation. This includes providing expertise, policy and standards, tailored risk management advice and tools, monitoring, oversight, and assurance.
deliver timely information and reporting, together with counsel as required on SS&C matters to Global Network Team (GNT) colleagues.
maintain oversight to ensure operational activity is managed through the implementation of a risk-based approach and within the business risk appetite by risk owners, as agreed by the board of trustees and defined with the governing risk management framework.
provide advice on and oversee a suitable framework for ensuring resilient operations through effective Fire Safety, Business Continuity and Incident Response, and directing the organisation’s incident and crisis response as needed (especially crises related to security, safety, child protection or reputation). This includes preparing the organisation for crises through building knowledge, delivering scenario practices and identifying opportunities to manage them better.
Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:
Location: United Kingdom
Closing date: 19 Aug 2025Job ID: 46589
Regional Safety & Security Manager (RSSM) Middle East & Northern Africa (MENA)
We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity.
Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries.
We connect. We inspire.
Contract Type: Indefinite
Right to Work Requirements: Right to Work in the UK. The British Council is not able to support or sponsor work visa applications.
Closing Date: advert will close on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 5:59, 2025, 4:59 am UK time
UK Benefits:32 days annual leave, in addition to public holidays.
3 days volunteering leave.
Career average defined benefit pension scheme.
Role Purpose
This role will:deliver operational and second line leadership and advice on Safety, Security & Continuity (SS&C) matters, within Middle East & Northern Africa (MENA), to risk owners within the allocated region/s and the wider organisation. This includes providing expertise, policy and standards, tailored risk management advice and tools, monitoring, oversight, and assurance.
deliver timely information and reporting, together with counsel as required on SS&C matters to Global Network Team (GNT) colleagues.
maintain oversight to ensure operational activity is managed through the implementation of a risk-based approach and within the business risk appetite by risk owners, as agreed by the board of trustees and defined with the governing risk management framework.
provide advice on and oversee a suitable framework for ensuring resilient operations through effective Fire Safety, Business Continuity and Incident Response, and directing the organisation’s incident and crisis response as needed (especially crises related to security, safety, child protection or reputation). This includes preparing the organisation for crises through building knowledge, delivering scenario practices and identifying opportunities to manage them better.
Main accountabilities but not limited to the following:
Lead regional and sub-regional SS&C focal point networks.
Development strategies, policies and processes that promote safety and security compliance.
Develop, deliver and co-ordinate planning exercises, training and compliance reviews, that promote a positive safety and security culture and ensure the business are prepared for incident management.
Deliver to regional and sub regional risk owners for Health and Safety, Security and Incident Management.
Monitor regional and sub-regional compliance against global SS&C frameworks.
Deliver to team and other leadership, information on local legislation and cultures relevant for SS&C.
Contribute SS&C expertise to country and regional Incident Management Teams.
Deliver investigations, inspections and audits as required in relation to SS&C.
To collate, assess and utilise appropriately sourced Information.
Monitor and deliver regional reports for SS&C.
Participate in boards, stakeholder meetings and focus groups as required.
Maintain good strong internal relationships with:Safety, Security & Continuity Team.
Regional and sub-regional risk owners.
Safety and Security focal points.
Regional and sub-regional HR, Safeguarding and counter fraud teams.
Sub-regional members of the Global Estates and facilities teams.
Support Functions including Global Estates, HR, Legal and Comms.
Maintain good strong external relationships with:Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO)
FCDO OSM network (Overseas Security Manager)
NGO personnel and a network of professional associates as appropriate
Requirements of the role:
Development strategies, policies and processes that promote safety and security compliance.
Develop, deliver and co-ordinate planning exercises, training and compliance reviews, that promote a positive safety and security culture and ensure the business are prepared for incident management.
Deliver to regional and sub regional risk owners for Health and Safety, Security and Incident Management.
Monitor regional and sub-regional compliance against global SS&C frameworks.
Deliver to team and other leadership, information on local legislation and cultures relevant for SS&C.
Contribute SS&C expertise to country and regional Incident Management Teams.
Deliver investigations, inspections and audits as required in relation to SS&C.
To collate, assess and utilise appropriately sourced Information.
Monitor and deliver regional reports for SS&C.
Participate in boards, stakeholder meetings and focus groups as required.
Maintain good strong internal relationships with:Safety, Security & Continuity Team.
Regional and sub-regional risk owners.
Safety and Security focal points.
Regional and sub-regional HR, Safeguarding and counter fraud teams.
Sub-regional members of the Global Estates and facilities teams.
Support Functions including Global Estates, HR, Legal and Comms.
Maintain good strong external relationships with:Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO)
FCDO OSM network (Overseas Security Manager)
NGO personnel and a network of professional associates as appropriate
Requirements of the role:
Proven experience of working in a security and safety risk management role.
Strong Health and Safety background.
Experience of complex organisational security issues and can demonstrate working in a challenging environment.
Developing security/safety strategies, including for projects.
Delivering security/safety related training globally.
Extensive knowledge of security and safety solutions and systems.
Balancing safety and security with needs of the business.
Track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices.
Report writing for leadership.
Proven experience of working in a security and safety risk management role in MENA or directly supporting operations in MENA.
Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.
Additional information
Strong Health and Safety background.
Experience of complex organisational security issues and can demonstrate working in a challenging environment.
Developing security/safety strategies, including for projects.
Delivering security/safety related training globally.
Extensive knowledge of security and safety solutions and systems.
Balancing safety and security with needs of the business.
Track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices.
Report writing for leadership.
Proven experience of working in a security and safety risk management role in MENA or directly supporting operations in MENA.
Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.
Additional information
Ability to obtain DV clearance is highly desirable for this role.
The RSSM MENA will be required to be part of the core ‘On Call’ team which will broadly include 1 week in 4, being the point of contact via phone to receive any emergency information. This will be compensated in line with current British Council policy.
Substantial travel to the region is a regular occurrence and may be required at short notice. Travel may be required at weekends for efficiency.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
Safeguarding Statement
The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org
The RSSM MENA will be required to be part of the core ‘On Call’ team which will broadly include 1 week in 4, being the point of contact via phone to receive any emergency information. This will be compensated in line with current British Council policy.
Substantial travel to the region is a regular occurrence and may be required at short notice. Travel may be required at weekends for efficiency.
A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.
Safeguarding Statement
The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children.
If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org
How To Apply:
External URL https://careers.britishcouncil.org/careers/job/563705882126113
External URL https://careers.britishcouncil.org/careers/job/563705882126113