Training Manager

Job description

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Location: Rmelan, Hasakah Governorate, Northeast Syria Job Summary The Training Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, managing, and evaluating the security training and professional development program supporting HKN's oil and gas operations throughout Northeast Syria. The position oversees initial, recurring, remedial, and specialized training for a large, geographically dispersed security workforce supporting oil production facilities, well sites, gas processing facilities, checkpoints, access control points, Protective Security Details (PSD), Quick Reaction Force (QRF) operations, and other designated HKN locations. The current contract includes 539 Access Control Manpower positions, eight PSD teams, and associated management and support personnel. The Training Manager must establish and maintain a structured training program that ensures personnel possess the knowledge, practical skills, qualifications, and professional discipline necessary to perform their assigned duties safely and effectively. A principal responsibility of the position is the development and mentoring of the existing local security workforce. The Training Manager will work closely with subcontractor instructors, supervisors, and operational leadership to assess current capabilities, identify training deficiencies, establish standardized instruction, and improve individual and collective performance. The successful candidate must possess substantial experience developing and managing security training programs in high-risk environments, preferably supporting oil and gas operations, critical infrastructure, or large-scale security forces. This is a hands-on management position requiring the ability to conduct classroom instruction, supervise practical exercises, evaluate firearms training and qualifications, mentor local instructors, and assess personnel during actual security operations. Duties and Responsibilities Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive, project-specific Security Training Plan aligned with HKN's contractual requirements, approved security procedures, applicable laws, and Consortium operating standards. Establish initial, recurring, refresher, remedial, and specialized training requirements for all security personnel according to their assigned duties and responsibilities. Develop and maintain an annual training calendar supported by monthly and weekly training schedules, ensuring that required instruction and qualifications are completed without disrupting operational staffing requirements. Coordinate with the Security Operations Manager and Security Operations Supervisor to schedule personnel for training while maintaining required security coverage at all HKN locations. Maintain responsibility for the administration, quality, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of the security training program. Ensure that training programs are appropriate to the operational environment in Northeast Syria and reflect the specific security risks associated with oil and gas production facilities, personnel movements, and remote security operations. Conduct an initial assessment of the existing security workforce to establish individual and collective training requirements. Review available personnel training records, qualifications, operational experience, and previous certifications to determine existing competencies and identify areas requiring additional instruction or validation. Develop and implement standardized competency assessments appropriate to each security position, including static guards, access control personnel, supervisors, PSD personnel, QRF members, drivers, and operations center personnel. Establish clear, documented performance standards and pass/fail criteria for required training and practical evaluations. Ensure personnel successfully complete all mandatory training and competency requirements before being authorized to perform duties for which certification is required. Identify personnel who do not meet established standards and coordinate remedial training, reassessment, or reassignment recommendations with operational management. Develop and deliver training specifically designed for security personnel assigned to HKN oil production facilities, well sites, gas processing facilities, checkpoints, and other critical infrastructure locations. Training will address post orders, access control procedures, identification verification, personnel and vehicle searches, visitor management, material movement controls, patrol procedures, key control, incident reporting, communications, and emergency response responsibilities. Ensure personnel understand the importance of maintaining effective security while minimizing unnecessary interference with authorized production, maintenance, and logistics activities. Provide practical instruction on professional conduct, situational awareness, observation techniques, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and appropriate interaction with HKN employees, contractors, visitors, and local community members. Coordinate with site supervisors to conduct post-specific training and practical assessments that reflect actual working conditions and identified operational risks. Develop, coordinate, and oversee firearms safety, weapons handling, qualification, and recurring training for personnel authorized to carry firearms under the contract. Ensure firearms instruction and qualification standards comply with HKN requirements, approved use-of-force policies, applicable local laws, and the authorization requirements of relevant security authorities. Conduct or supervise classroom instruction, practical weapons handling, and live-fire qualification activities at approved training facilities. Ensure personnel receive instruction on weapons safety, safe handling, storage, accountability, maintenance, and the lawful and proportionate use of force. Maintain accurate records of firearms qualifications, expiration dates, remedial training, and personnel authorized to perform armed duties. Coordinate with operational management to ensure personnel whose qualifications have expired, or who fail to meet required standards, are not assigned duties requiring those qualifications. The Training Manager must possess sufficient firearms training experience and technical knowledge to supervise weapons instructors, evaluate training standards, and conduct practical firearms instruction where appropriately qualified and authorized. Coordinate and oversee initial and recurring training for PSD and QRF personnel supporting HKN operations. Ensure training addresses protective security responsibilities, team coordination, communications, emergency procedures, defensive driving, casualty response, threat recognition, and other contract-required competencies. Develop and supervise practical exercises that evaluate the ability of PSD and QRF personnel to perform assigned duties safely and effectively. Coordinate with the Security Operations Manager, Journey Manager, and Security Operations Supervisor to ensure training reflects current operational requirements and lessons identified during security operations. Maintain individual qualification and competency records for personnel assigned to PSD and QRF duties. Evaluate the qualifications, experience, and instructional capabilities of existing local security instructors and subcontractor training personnel. Establish and implement a Train-the-Trainer program designed to improve instructional quality, standardize training delivery, and develop sustainable local training capabilities. Review and approve lesson plans, training materials, instructional methods, and practical evaluation standards before implementation. Observe classroom instruction and practical exercises to assess instructor effectiveness, technical accuracy, and consistency with approved training standards. Provide coaching and mentoring to local instructors to improve instructional techniques, classroom management, practical demonstrations, and student evaluation methods. Develop qualified local instructors capable of delivering recurring training under the Training Manager's supervision and quality assurance framework. Develop and coordinate practical training exercises addressing security incidents, medical emergencies, fire response, evacuation, communications failures, civil disturbances, and other foreseeable emergencies affecting HKN operations. Coordinate with operational management and HKN representatives to schedule and conduct emergency response exercises appropriate to site-specific risks. Ensure security personnel understand their assigned responsibilities under approved Emergency Response, Crisis Management, and Continuity of Operations Plans. Participate in the planning, execution, and evaluation of tabletop exercises, practical drills, and operational readiness assessments. Document exercise results, identify performance deficiencies, and incorporate lessons learned into subsequent training and operational procedures. Ensure all security personnel receive appropriate HSE instruction relevant to their assigned duties and operating locations. Coordinate training covering personal protective equipment, heat stress, fatigue management, vehicle safety, fire prevention, emergency first aid, hazard reporting, and Stop Work Authority. Ensure security personnel assigned to oil and gas facilities understand relevant site hazards, including hazardous materials, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure where applicable, restricted operating areas, and HKN safety procedures. Work with project HSE personnel to ensure training requirements remain aligned with HKN's Health, Safety and Environmental Management System. Establish and maintain a centralized training management system containing individual personnel training histories, qualifications, competency assessments, certification expiration dates, and remedial training records. Maintain a training matrix identifying the mandatory training and qualification requirements for each security position. Develop and submit weekly and monthly training reports identifying completed instruction, personnel trained, qualification status, outstanding requirements, training deficiencies, and planned activities. Monitor training compliance and provide management with advance notification of upcoming qualification expirations or deficiencies that could affect operational readiness. Maintain accurate attendance records, examination results, practical assessment documentation, instructor qualifications, and approved lesson plans. Ensure training records are available for review by HKN management and authorized auditors. Support project quality assurance inspections, operational readiness reviews, and corrective action processes relating to training and personnel competency. Qualifications A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in security operations, military security, law enforcement, protective security, or critical infrastructure protection is required. A minimum of five years of experience conducting or managing security training programs, including classroom instruction, practical training, and personnel competency assessments. At least two years of demonstrated experience in a supervisory, training management, or lead instructor position involving responsibility for training schedules, instructor oversight, personnel qualifications, and training program administration. Demonstrated experience developing training plans, lesson plans, practical exercises, and qualification standards for armed or unarmed security personnel. A minimum of one year of practical firearms instructor experience, including weapons safety, firearms handling, and live-fire qualification instruction, is required. Experience developing or managing training programs for large security forces, preferably involving 100 or more personnel, is strongly preferred. Previous experience supporting oil and gas operations, industrial facilities, critical infrastructure, or high-risk overseas security programs is highly desirable. Experience training and mentoring local national security personnel in Syria, Iraq, or comparable high-risk environments is strongly preferred. Prior military or law enforcement instructor experience is desirable but is not a substitute for demonstrated security training management capability. Must be proficient in spoken and written English, including the ability to prepare training plans, lesson plans, reports, evaluations, and communicate effectively with HKN and Consortium management. Must be fluent in spoken Kurdish, preferably the Kurmanji dialect used in Northeast Syria, and capable of conducting instruction, practical evaluations, and mentoring activities directly with Kurdish-speaking security personnel. Language proficiency will be evaluated during the selection process, including the candidate's ability to explain security procedures and conduct practical instruction in English and Kurdish. Candidates should possess recognized qualifications or demonstrated professional experience in security instruction, training management, or an equivalent military or law enforcement training discipline. A recognized firearms instructor certification, or equivalent documented firearms instructor qualification, is required. Current or previously held qualifications in first aid, emergency response, defensive driving, protective security, or instructor development are desirable. Experience with recognized security management standards, including ISO 18788, ANSI/ASIS PSC.1, or comparable security management systems, is preferred. The candidate must demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and experience maintaining electronic training records, schedules, and compliance reports. Preferred Qualifications Professional working proficiency in Arabic is highly desirable to support instruction, workforce development, and communication with Arabic-speaking personnel. Physical Requirements and Work Conditions Acuity International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. For OFCCP compliance, the taxable entity associated with this job posting is: JANUS ESOP HOLDINGS LLC