Country Security Specialist

Job #: req37505
Organization: World Bank Group
Sector: General Services
Grade: GF
Term Duration:  3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Dakar,Senegal
Required Language(s): English, French
Preferred Language(s): Portuguese
Closing Date: 7/27/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.  For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The position of the Country Security Specialist (CSS) will be located in the World Bank Group (WBG) Country Office (CO) in Dakar and will be responsible for the security programs at World Bank Group IBRD and IFC Offices in Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania, with a support role to the CSS Extended Term Consultant for Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde.
The incumbent CSS will report to, and receive support and direction from the Corporate Security Manager (based in Accra, Ghana), through the Senior Security Specialist (SSS) for the West Africa Region (based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire). The incumbent will advise and consult with management in each of the WBG Office of responsibility and will discharge his/her assignment in close collaboration with the WBG Heads of Office in Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea Bissau, and Cape Verde. This implies active engagement with CO leadership.
The CSS may, when requested, be required to provide occasional back-up support to WBG COs and other CSSs in West Africa and other Africa regions different from those mentioned above, and possibly to other geographical regions. The incumbent may be required to travel on short notice to provide crisis management support. In addition, the CSS will serve in full-time capacity and on call for emergencies.
VPU Context:
Corporate Security Directorate (WBCSD) reports to the Managing Director and World Bank Group Chief Administrative Officer, who manages the corporate units that deliver core services to the entire World Bank Group (WBG), including among others in addition to Corporate Security, Institution-wide strategy development and monitoring, Budget planning, Corporate Procurement, IT, Real Estate management, General Services, Health and Safety, Global Business Centers, and Corporate Risk management.
Unit Context:
Corporate Security (WBCSD) is a Directorate responsible for the strategic security program that empowers the WBG to carry out its business worldwide.
WBCSD staff serve at both WBG Headquarters in D.C. and Bank Group offices in more than 60 countries. The Directorate’s mission is to support global operations by employing risk mitigation strategies and promoting the principle of shared responsibility for security and safety.
Duties and accountabilities: 
1. Security Risk Management:
• Assist SSS and CO Management in developing and overseeing the day-to-day conduct of the office security programs and ensuring preparation of adequate responses to security incidents and natural and man-made disasters.

• Provide inputs for the preparation of the Security Risk Assessment for Senegal, The Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea Bissau, and Cape Verde, and other regional locations being supported by WBG development programs, as may be required.

• Manage video surveillance, card access and other physical security and fire/life safety systems. Carry out testing and evacuation drills periodically.

• Manage the CO major security equipment programs (items such as package screening devices, communications, and emergency communications equipment) to include the procurement process when applicable.

• Provide technical security advice to and coordinate with Corporate Real Estate, in consultation with the SSS and headquarters security staff, for all existing facilities and any potential new offices to include site selection, renovation of existing facilities and installation of effective physical and procedural security measures.

• Monitor and advise on overall residential security for newly acquired and existing residences of international staff and upon request provide general residential security advice to all staff.

• Provide advice on security arrangements at hotels, restaurants, ministries, diplomatic/international organizations and other locations which staff may visit for official business or recreation purposes.

• Advise on the implementation of the WBG Road Safety policy in the areas of responsibility.

• Liaise with host government security and law enforcement officials as appropriate and with security advisors for diplomatic/international organizations and private security firms to establish a network of contacts.

• Assist staff and visiting missions in reporting incidents (Corporate Security, UNDSS, host government, etc.).

• Ensure CO has a viable system in place to track staff and visiting missions, note arrival/departure/ residence changes, contact details while at the field location, and coordinate with UNDSS and the WBG Global Security Operations Center (GSOC), including internal UN Security clearance program requirements.

• Facilitate secure missions to higher-threat locations by actively participating in internal WBG clearance processes based on program criticality, ensuring appropriate mitigation and prevention measures are in place, and remaining cognizant of the evolving security environment in the concerned areas to accurately gauge appropriate mitigation.

• Represent WBG and Corporate Security Directorate at security meetings, as appropriate.

• Prepare security program and monitor CO readiness matrix for periodic program reviews.

2. Security Awareness:
• Provide newly arriving staff and visiting missions with practical security advice and contact information in advance of their visit and briefings upon arrival including communications and logistical support for field missions.

• Draft staff security advisories on risk mitigation in response to the general security situation, following significant specific incidents and during periods of heightened risk.

• Conduct periodic security awareness briefings and training for all staff.

• Deliver and/or coordinate relevant security training for all staff.

3. Contingency Planning:
• Assist with the coordination and revisions of the Crisis Management Plan (CMP) on an annual basis or more frequently as required or directed.

• Serve as advisor to or as a member of the CO Crisis Management Teams (CMT).

• Maintain and update as necessary all CO contingency planning material, reference documents and annexes.

• Maintain and coordinate with periodic test the staff telephone tree, warden system and other local contingency plans.

• Organize periodic security and fire/life safety training and briefings for all staff. Conduct appropriate emergency drills (fire, shelter-in-place, and bomb threat).

• Maintain and enhance the CO emergency contact and locator systems and ensure coordination between the CO, UNDSS, Diplomatic missions and the WBG GSOC.

• Continually assess in-country relocation and out-of-country evacuation options.
4. Protective Operations:
• Provide advice on protective operations to include when applicable, the coordination of official vehicle movements, and any special security required for specific movements, locations, or individuals, conduct site advance security assessments and coordinate security arrangements.

• Plan emergency response actions in the event of an emergency or a direct or indirect threat to staff. Take proactive measures to prevent involvement in such activities and perform reactively to avoid/escape from those in progress.

• Arrange the appropriate level of security for visiting senior WBG officials.

• Arrange continuing or special host government protective services support for staff, visiting missions and facilities as necessary.

• Coordinate security arrangements for WBG sponsored conferences and training events held in country as required.

• Assist with the development of security policies and procedures to include approved/prohibited locations and to ensure a mechanism is in place to keep staff informed.

5. Guard Force Contract Management:
Support the Management of the CO security guard services contracts to include the procurement process, contract extensions, conducting periodic reviews with guard services contract management, certification of invoices, documentation of non-performance and other issues.
6. Active engagement with CO Management and Clients: 
• Actively engage and maintain strong working relationships with CO Management—including Division Directors, Operations Managers, Principal Country Officers, Country Managers, and Representatives—to foster collaboration, strengthen security awareness and accountability, and ensure security considerations are integrated into operational planning and decision-making across all offices.

• Promote active leadership engagement in Security Risk Management by facilitating regular dialogue, coordination, and consultation with management on security priorities, emerging risks, and mitigation measures to support informed decision-making.

• Provide security advice and timely recommendations to management on operational and security matters, ensuring compliance with applicable security policies, directives, procedures, and guidance while aligning security priorities with organizational objectives.
7. 24-Hour call Emergency Security Support to the responsible WBG COs and staff (to include Visiting Mission staff).
8. Other Responsibilities May Be Assigned

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree with 5 years of relevant experience. Bachelor’s degree in combination with seven years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree. A career level diploma (at least three consecutive years of training) from a military or police institution, college, or academy, in combination with seven years of security experience, may be exceptionally substituted for a bachelor's degree.

• Five years of progressive experience in security program management with an international or diplomatic organization preferred.

• Knowledge and experience in security program delivery and project implementation, especially in the geographic area of responsibility.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Windows applications, namely, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Proven proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing French and English. Portuguese is also preferred. 

• Willingness to travel to high-risk locations on short notice.

• Able to comfortably operate within a multicultural environment and build effective working relations with staff across the WBG.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.

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