Country Security Manager

Job description

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us. At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere. We are a global team of over 800 changemakers, operating in more than 40 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference. In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us. Role Summary TBI is seeking a Country Security Manager (CSM) for Ukraine to provide effective, proportionate, and high-quality security support to our TBI Ukraine team. This role reports to the Head of Operational Capability, based in London, with a technical reporting line to the Ukraine Country Director, and will work closely with colleagues across TBI's global operations and Duty of Care functions. The postholder will be the principal in-country security adviser, supporting the Country Director and TBI in discharging Duty of Care responsibilities through practical security risk management, preparedness, business continuity, and incident coordination. This is a locally based role in Kyiv, Ukraine. TBI is not able to sponsor, obtain or facilitate a reservation or deferment from mobilisation in connection with this position. Applicants must be able to independently meet the requirements of the position in accordance with applicable Ukrainian law and their individual mobilisation obligations. Appointment to, or employment in, this role does not alter an individual's mobilisation status or provide protection from mobilisation. Key Responsibilities Core Areas Act as the principal in-country security adviser, supporting the Country Director and TBI's Duty of Care responsibilities in Ukraine. Implement TBI's Global Duty of Care Policy and associated security requirements in Ukraine, working with Operational Capability/HQ to harmonise country arrangements with global standards. Maintain and embed the Ukraine Essential Security Package (ESP), including the Country Risk Register, Welcome Pack, SOPs, HRE Plan and contingency arrangements. Provide timely, concise and decision-focused security advice that translates developments in the operating environment into practical implications and actions for TBI. Maintain preparedness for incidents, business continuity disruption and seasonal risks, including winterisation. Build a positive security culture through staff briefings, onboarding, exercises and practical engagement. Maintain strong external security networks and coordinate specialist external support when required. Proactively escalate material risks, incidents, capability gaps and support needs to the Country Director and Operational Capability/HQ. Duty of Care, Governance and Global Standards Support the Country Director in implementing TBI's Global Duty of Care Policy and associated security requirements in Ukraine. Work closely with Operational Capability/HQ to ensure Ukraine's security arrangements remain aligned with TBI's global security standards, policies and risk-management approach. Translate global requirements into practical and proportionate country-level arrangements appropriate to the Ukrainian operating environment. Maintain effective technical coordination with Operational Capability/HQ, including escalation of material risks, incidents, capability gaps and changes in the operating environment. Participate in global security assurance, review, and quality-assurance processes as required, and implement agreed improvements. Identify where local conditions require adaptation of global approaches and work with Operational Capability/HQ to agree on appropriate solutions. Contribute lessons, emerging risks and good practice from Ukraine to the continued development of TBI's global Duty of Care and security capability. Security Continuously monitor and analyse the security context in Ukraine, with particular attention to conflict and aerial threats relevant to TBI personnel, operations and planned activity. Produce concise, timely and practical security updates for staff and leadership, clearly explaining what has changed, why it matters to TBI and whether action is required. Distinguish between general security reporting and developments that materially affect TBI's operational exposure and provide proportionate mitigation advice. Maintain and update the Ukraine Country Risk Register in accordance with TBI's global risk-management methodology. Maintain and embed the Ukraine ESP, SOPs, HRE Plan, emergency contacts and contingency arrangements, ensuring they remain aligned with global requirements. Ensure staff understand prevalent threats, security procedures, incident reporting and escalation routes, and their individual responsibilities for security. Provide proportionate security planning and advice for staff movements, programme travel, leadership visits and events, ensuring arrangements reflect the operating environment and TBI’s actual risk exposure. Build and maintain an active security network in Ukraine, including INSO, OSAC, embassy security teams, peer organisations, relevant authorities, emergency services and reputable providers. Resilience Support the Country Director and Operational Capability/HQ to maintain appropriate crisis-management, business-continuity and contingency arrangements for Ukraine. Coordinate security-related winter preparedness and monitor infrastructure disruption affecting staff, accommodation, communications, transport and office continuity. Ensure contingency plans are regularly reviewed and exercised, including HRE, evacuation, relocation and hibernation arrangements where applicable. Act as the principal in-country security focal point during incidents, coordinating initial response, staff accountability, communications and escalation. Provide timely analysis and practical options to decision-makers during incidents and support TBI crisis-management arrangements when activated. Lead or support after-action reviews and ensure lessons are incorporated into country procedures and, where relevant, shared with Operational Capability/HQ. Training and Engagement Deliver regular, practical security briefings and security onboarding for staff and visitors. Plan and deliver tabletop exercises and other proportionate security exercises to test procedures and build staff confidence. Promote a positive security culture based on shared responsibility, preparedness and practical risk awareness. Communicate security requirements in a way that is accessible, proportionate and relevant to TBI's operating environment. Representation and Coordination Act as a trusted critical friend to the Country Director and leadership, providing clear advice that enables programme delivery while appropriately managing risk. Draw on TBI resources and specialists to deliver high-quality technical advice and avoid operating as a standalone country function. Maintain strong working relationships with Operational Capability/HQ and contribute to harmonisation of Ukraine systems and practices with global standards. Coordinate specialist external capabilities, including emergency evacuation support, secure transport, or surge operational support, when required. Represent TBI professionally with internal and external stakeholders and maintain high standards of integrity, discretion and confidentiality. Role Boundaries TBI requires a lean, information-led and proportionate security capability appropriate to its operating model. This is not a close protection role. Person Specification The ideal candidate will combine strong security risk-management experience with excellent judgment, communication skills, and an understanding of how security enables an advisory organization to operate. They will be able to filter a complex security environment and provide senior leaders and staff with concise, proportionate, and practical advice. This is a role requiring an exceptional candidate: With at least five years' relevant security risk-management experience, the majority of this experience is from a volatile or conflict-affected environment. Who has a strong understanding of the legal, moral and organisational dimensions of Duty of Care and experience implementing security policy and standards at country level. Who can work effectively with HQ/global security functions to harmonise local arrangements with organisational standards while adapting them appropriately to context. Who can translate complex security information into concise, decision-focused advice for non-security audiences and senior leadership. Who has experience developing and maintaining risk assessments, security procedures, emergency arrangements and contingency plans. Who has practical experience in incident management, emergency response, and business continuity. Professionally proficient in English, both written and verbal (minimum CEFR B2 or equivalent). Candidates may be asked to demonstrate proficiency during the recruitment process. Who demonstrates excellent judgment, including the ability to distinguish between information that is interesting and information that is operationally significant. Who can work independently, make effective use of available resources and networks, and recognize when escalation or specialist support is required. Who is proactive, solution-oriented, delivery-focused, and committed to continuous improvement. Who understands and practices the importance of integrity, discretion, and confidentiality. Who is able to be based in Kyiv and fulfill the requirements of the role on an ongoing basis, taking into account applicable Ukrainian mobilization requirements. TBI cannot provide or facilitate mobilisation exemption, reservation or deferment for this position. Desirable Previous professional experience in Ukraine and a strong understanding of the Ukrainian security environment. Experience delivering security briefings, training or exercises. Existing relationships with Ukrainian and international security networks. Experience with business continuity or organisational resilience. Experience working in an international organisation, advisory organisation, consultancy, private-sector organisation or comparable professional environment. We encourage early applications as we reserve the right, if required, to close this role earlier. Closing Date: 2026-12-30