About the company
The mining industry has steadily become worse at finding new ore deposits, requiring >10X more capital to make discoveries compared to 30 years ago. The easy-to-find, near-surface deposits have largely been found, and the industry has chronically under-invested in new exploration technology, relying on the manual techniques of yesteryear – even as demand accelerates for copper, lithium, and other metals to build electric vehicles, renewable energy, and data centers.
KoBold builds AI models for mineral exploration and deploys those models—alongside our novel sensors—to guide decisions on KoBold-owned-and-operated exploration programs. Since our founding in 2018, KoBold has become by far both the largest independent mineral exploration company and the largest exploration technology developer. Our data scientists and software engineers, who come from leading technology companies, jointly lead exploration programs with our renowned exploration geologists.
KoBold has proven its first discovery with materially less capital than the industry average and found one of the best copper deposits ever discovered: the copper is far more concentrated than the global average of copper mines, and this asset alone is expected to generate meaningful revenue for decades. KoBold has a portfolio of more than 60 other projects, each of which has the potential for another high-quality discovery.
KoBold is privately held; investors include institutional asset managers T. Rowe Price, and Canada Pension Plan Investments; technology venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BOND Capital, and Standard Investments; and natural resources companies Equinor, BHP, and Mitsubishi.
We are hiring a Manager or a Director level Security expert to accelerate our mission.
About the role:
The Manager/Director of Security is responsible for establishing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive global security strategy for the company’s activities, with a key focus on high-risk regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This role will develop and lead all physical security, travel risk management, crisis response, asset protection, and intelligence-gathering functions to safeguard personnel, assets, and operations across diverse geographic and political landscapes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Country-Level Security Leadership: Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of KoBold’s in-country security program for Zambia, ensuring it is risk-based, scalable, and aligned with global standards. Directly supervise and develop Zambia-based Security Coordinators (current and future), providing mentorship, performance management, and clear tasking to build a high-performing country security team.
- Field and Operational Security Oversight: Develop and maintain site-specific security plans for Mingomba and all other Zambia project sites, including access control, perimeter security, guard force management, and emergency response protocols. Oversee and manage contracted security providers, including vetting, performance management, and compliance with KoBold’s standards and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR).
- Border Area Security Management (in collaboration with DRC Security Manager): Lead security planning and execution for operations near the DRC/Zambia border, including coordination with the Zambia National Police (ZNP), District Joint Operations Committee (DJOC), and other relevant authorities. Manage escort protocols and serve as the primary liaison with ZNP and DJOC for all field activities in sensitive border areas.
- Travel and Workforce Protection: Establish and manage protocols for workforce travel to and within high-risk areas of Zambia, including logistics, communication plans, and emergency response procedures. Oversee secure logistics support for personnel travel near the DRC border and coordinate medical evacuation planning with HSE and operations teams.
- Intelligence and Threat Assessment: Develop and maintain intelligence channels to monitor and report on threats relevant to KoBold operations, including political instability, community tensions, artisanal mining encroachment, organised crime, and cross-border risks. Produce timely, actionable intelligence briefs and provide routine situational awareness updates to the Director of Security, Zambia management, and relevant stakeholders.
- Crisis Management and Incident Response: Lead the security response during incidents, including coordinating with law enforcement, security providers, and the crisis management team. Prepare thorough incident reports and lead after-action reviews. Support KoBold’s broader crisis management framework, including kidnap & ransom preparedness, evacuation planning, and coordination with international crisis response services.
- Contractor and Vendor Management: Lead the selection, onboarding, and ongoing management of local and international security providers. Develop and maintain a KoBold-specific vetting matrix for vendors consistent with local context. Work with stakeholders to ensure quality, compliance, and alignment with the company’s standards.
- Collaboration with Community Relations and Government Affairs: Partner with Community Engagement teams and train community champions for security awareness of established KoBold sites. Build and maintain strong working relationships with the Zambia Police Service, Zambia Army, Zambia National Service, DJOC, and the Office of the President. Liaise with provincial governors, military/police commanders, and customary chiefs to proactively manage risks beyond ‘hard security.’
- Stakeholder and Government Engagement: Serve as KoBold’s primary liaison with Zambian security authorities at district and national levels. Coordinate with Government Affairs to assess and mitigate risks tied to election cycles, community protests, permit renewals, and other political or social factors affecting operations. Develop intelligence networks on corruption, artisanal mining encroachment, and organised crime that may affect KoBold’s operations.
- Compliance and Training: Ensure all security operations comply with Zambian law, relevant mining codes, and international human rights frameworks, including the VPSHR. Where applicable, ensure compliance with the US FCPA, UK Bribery Act, and KoBold’s ethical standards. Develop and deliver security awareness, personal security, and emergency response training for KoBold personnel and contractors in Zambia. Maintain regular reporting to the Director of Security and Zambia management on security posture, incidents, threats, and program status.
Qualifications
- Zambian national with the right to work in Zambia and a residence in Zambia (consideration for relocation plan to Lusaka).
- Minimum 15 years of experience in corporate security, law enforcement, military, or intelligence, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership or management capacity.
- Demonstrated experience managing security operations in Zambia, including knowledge of the Zambian legal and regulatory landscape, government institutions, and key stakeholders (Zambia National Police, Zambia Army, DJOC).
- Proven ability to develop and manage security programs in remote, logistically complex, and high-risk environments.
- Strong working knowledge of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) and their practical application in a mining or extractives context.
- Experience managing armed and unarmed guard forces and contracted security providers.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain intelligence networks and produce actionable threat assessments.
- Extensive investigative and investigation management experience is an asset.
- Human rights and community interface: knowledge of how to balance private security operations with local communities, NGOs, and civil society in high-risk settings.
- Anti-corruption compliance: familiarity with US FCPA, UK Bribery Act, and local anti-corruption frameworks; ability to enforce security contracting that complies with KoBold’s ethical standards and the law.
- Experience in the mining, oil & gas, or natural resources sector strongly preferred, particularly in Zambia’s Copperbelt region.
- Familiarity with border area security operations, particularly in areas adjacent to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Knowledge of international security standards for private security contractors (IFC Performance Standards or equivalent).
- Experience with crisis management frameworks, including kidnap & ransom response and medical evacuation planning.
- Excellent leadership, negotiation, and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Willingness to travel extensively and work in remote field locations.
- Proficiency in English (written and spoken) required; knowledge of local Zambian languages (e.g., Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga) an asset. Working knowledge of French is advantageous for cross-border coordination.
What to Expect
Joining KoBold means getting the opportunity for hands-on exposure to our exploration projects around the world. All employees are expected to travel to project sites, with a minimum of one week per year. Field-facing and technical roles spend significantly more time in the field.
KoBold Metals is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
Location: Chililabombwe,Zambia
Contract: Fixed
