Senior Security Specialist, Forsah Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Forsah TVET) (NEW)

Who We Are 

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $150 million and more than 750 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information. 

IREX seeks a Senior Security Specialist to contribute to the success of Forsah TVET program activities by ensuring the safety and security of program operations. They will monitor operational contexts, manage security information and incident reporting, and advise/train on safety and security protocols. The Forsah TVET Activity supports technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to better prepare Palestinian graduates for the labor market and to productively engage in local and regional economies.   

The Senior Security Specialist is an in-person position in Ramallah, Palestine. 

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships. 

Are you the next member of our team? 

Your Background & Skills 

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, social science, or other relevant field, or be a graduate of a police/security academy, equivalent to a university degree. 
• Minimum of 5+ years of relevant work experience. 
• Knowledge of legal guidelines for area security and public safety in West Bank and Gaza, and including East Jerusalem. 
• Knowledge of and experience with developing and implementing plans for monitoring staff safety and responding to changes in the security environment. 
• Experience gathering diverse resources to present analysis and recommendations. 
• Computer skills with practical experience in Microsoft packages; Familiarity with report writing and presentation development. 
• Attention to detail, reliability, thoroughness, and accuracy. 
• Excellent organizational skills: ability to plan, prioritize, and effectively track and manage information. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to work cooperatively with others and demonstrate professional and ethical behavior when interacting with partners and stakeholders. 
• Ability to work independently and in a team and the ability to take initiative, meet deadlines, and be flexible. 
• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individual regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status.  
• Training in First Aid, self-defense, and/or similar emergency response skills desirable 
• Must be a fluent English and Arabic speaker.  
• You must have unrestricted authorization to work in Palestine. 

Your Daily Tasks 

• Guide and support the development, implementation, and evaluation of the effectiveness of security and contingency plans; ensure that plans are current and aligned with organizational objectives. 
• Collaborate with the global security team at headquarters to monitor, report, and act on security changes, threats, and guidance. 
• Guide and support ongoing evaluation of resources for use in emergencies. 
• Ensure physical security of office space, staff, and resources; investigate suspicious activity and implement appropriate measures to mitigate risks. 
• Conduct regular appropriate exercises (e.g., fire drills, communications tests) to ensure staff preparedness for emergencies; provide training and guidance as needed. 
• Prepare and revise security risk assessments, draft reports on security analysis, develop and maintain a system for classifying and storing sensitive information, and map security incidents. 
• Ensure that program teams and partners are kept informed about matters affecting their security and brief new staff. Ensure that health and safety practices are followed and updated. 
• Develop and maintain contacts with national law enforcement and security agencies with a view to obtaining the best possible protection for staff and property. Co-operate closely on security issues with other international organizations operating in West Bank and Gaza. 
• Maintain regular and close contact with Global Security colleagues and other relevant stakeholders to stay abreast of security developments and best practices. 
• Ensure that the program team and partners are kept informed on matters affecting their security and brief new staff. Ensure that health and safety practices are followed and updated. 
• Provide strategic guidance to program staff in all security and safety-related issues that could negatively impact program implementation. 
• Serve as the primary point of contact for security questions and support vetting decisions from program staff and partners, including reviewing applicable regulations and internal policies. 
• Coordinate and lead security and vetting trainings. 
• Support the establishment, cultivation, and maintaining of relationships with the ecosystem of program stakeholders, including public sector entities, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, local governments, donors, and implementers, program beneficiaries, and others. 
• Contribute to activities that are gender-sensitive/transformative, align with positive youth development, and emphasize participatory and youth-led approaches. 
• Ensuring that expenses align with allocated resources and program objectives. 
• Monitor security-related expenditures, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with organizational financial policies. 
• Review and approve security-related expenses, ensuring that they are necessary, justified, and within budgetary limits. 
• Collaborate with the finance team to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting for security-related activities.  
• Other support duties as needed. 

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates. 

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship. 

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE 

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.