Security and Operations Manager

The Security and Operations Manager serves as the senior in-country position and is responsible for three integrated areas: program management, external coordination, and security and operations. The position plans, resources, and oversees the monitoring effort to ensure inspection, reporting, and quality standards are consistently met. As the primary point of contact with the Program Operations Manager, the position coordinates tasking, travel approvals, and deliverable submissions. The position also has sole responsibility for assessing the security environment, determining the feasibility of travel to specific locations, and leading the resulting movement-planning process. The Contractor is responsible for all security assessments and threat determinations.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Management

• Plan, resource, and oversee the operational tempo required to sustain approximately 50 monitoring and inspection visits per month across 24 oblasts, including workforce planning, scheduling, and resource allocation, while directing and supervising key program personnel.
• Lead recruitment, onboarding, personnel management, and workforce planning to ensure adequate staffing and readiness to meet program requirements
• Develop, maintain, and oversee implementation of the Quality Control Plan, ensuring consistent quality standards and effective measures to identify, prevent, and address deficiencies.
• Monitor overall contract performance and deliverables to ensure compliance with established quality, reporting, and operational standards, including required submission and accuracy targets.
• Maintain the Kyiv workplace and coordinate program activities, while identifying and escalating operational risks, including security-related disruptions, staffing gaps, and access constraints, and implementing corrective actions as needed.

Coordination with the Program Operations Manager

• Serve as the primary coordination point with the Program Operations Manager for program tasking, scheduling, performance, travel, and reporting, ensuring timely communication and submission of required deliverables.
• Coordinate and oversee travel planning and approvals, ensuring required COR pre-approval and travel documentation are completed while maintaining flexibility to support short-notice mission requirements.
• Coordinate the submission of consolidated inspection and survey reports, key personnel nominations, and other required program documentation in accordance with established timelines, formats, and approval processes.
• Support post-award conferences and periodic progress meetings by providing accurate program performance information and coordinating required inputs.
• Escalate matters requiring Contracting Officer or COR determination and avoid providing or acting on technical direction that would constitute a change to contract scope, cost, or delivery requirements.

Security Assessment and Movement Control

• Continuously assess the security environment in Ukraine and determine whether travel to specific locations is feasible based on current conditions and applicable Government of Ukraine requirements, recognizing that the Contractor is responsible for security assessments and travel feasibility determinations.
• Establish and maintain documented travel go/no-go criteria, including defined triggers, thresholds, and authority to suspend travel or operations, and integrate these procedures into the Quality Control Plan.
• Ensure personnel receive appropriate security briefings before travel and that travel plans, records, and supporting documentation are accurate and up to date.
• Implement and enforce air-alert, curfew, shelter, and emergency procedures, including the suspension of activities during air raids, missile strikes, or other situations presenting an unacceptable risk to personnel.
• Maintain timely communication with the COR and Alternate COR regarding security-related facility closures or operational disruptions, support the safe resumption of activities when conditions permit, and exercise the Contractor’s duty of care to ensure personnel can travel safely as conditions allow.

Coordinate with the COR or CO on any required suspension or modification of operations when conditions become unsafe, including actions taken following consultation with the Regional Security Office.

Incident Management and Personnel Accountability

• Establish and maintain procedures for timely identification, notification, and management of serious incidents, including events affecting contract performance, personnel safety, property, security, or the reputation of the U.S. Government, host country, or Department of State, and notify the COR within 12 hours when required.
• Prepare and submit Serious Incident Reports within 48 hours of discovery, including incidents involving serious misconduct, fraud, or other matters requiring INL awareness.
• Maintain effective personnel accountability procedures and current contact information for all contract personnel in Ukraine, provide required records to the COR, and ensure incident findings are documented and incorporated into corrective actions under the Quality Control Plan.

Personnel Screening and Compliance

• Oversee required background and security screening for personnel involved in EUM activities, including applicable criminal, financial, and security checks, and ensure screening documentation is maintained and available to INL upon request.
• Ensure personnel meet applicable health, fitness, insurance, and contractor-status requirements, including identifying themselves as non-COM contractor personnel in all official interactions.
• Ensure compliance with contract and applicable regulatory requirements, including timely notification and mitigation of actual or potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest and proper pre-approval and documentation of Other Direct Costs and travel expenses in accordance with applicable FAR requirements.

Risk Mitigation for Visiting U.S. Citizen and Third-Country National Personnel

• Oversee implementation of the approved risk mitigation plan for visiting U.S. citizen and third-country national personnel, including secure and approved housing, authorized movement and travel controls, emergency communications and life-support supplies, medical and MEDEVAC arrangements, evacuation and drawdown planning, and required security, medical, driving, and country-specific training. Ensure all arrangements comply with applicable U.S. Mission, COR, and Regional Security Office requirements and are updated as security conditions change.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent relevant professional experience, with at least eight years of progressively responsible experience in program, security, or field operations management, including a minimum of three years supervising staff.
• Demonstrated experience managing programs or operations of comparable scope, including planning, resourcing, scheduling, quality control, and performance against contractual requirements.
• Demonstrated experience managing security and operations for civilian personnel in a conflict-affected or high-threat environment, including the ability to independently assess security conditions and determine travel feasibility without reliance on U.S. Government threat assessments.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a primary client or partner interface, managing contractual deliverables, approval processes, and operational reporting.
• Demonstrated experience recruiting, managing, and supervising distributed field teams, with familiarity with Ukrainian air-alert and curfew requirements and movement restrictions across Ukraine.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian, both written and verbal, with the ability to satisfy applicable background-check requirements and maintain the physical and medical fitness required for field travel under operational conditions in Ukraine.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in security management, international relations, public administration, or a related field, along with 10 or more years of relevant experience, including senior responsibility for distributed field operations.
• Prior experience supporting a U.S. Government contract, particularly one subject to FAR 52.225-19, Contractor Personnel in a Designated Operational Area or Supporting a Diplomatic or Consular Mission Outside the United States.
• Familiarity with U.S. Government end-use monitoring, property accountability, and Firm Fixed Price contract administration.
• Prior liaison experience with a Regional Security Office, host-nation security services, or relevant Ukrainian security institutions, including the Ministry of the Interior, National Police of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service, or National Guard of Ukraine.
• Current HTSOS-C, FACT, or eFACT certification, and experience managing medical support and MEDEVAC arrangements for distributed field teams.

This position is based in CRDF Global’s office in Kyiv, Ukraine and is open to all qualified individuals, including persons with disabilities