Country Safety and Security Manager / Focal Point (CSSFP)

As a valued employee of the British Council, you already help us deliver our mission to support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For over 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. You are part of our organisation in over 200 countries and territories and where we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire. Further Information * Number of positions: 1 * British Council Pay Band: 7 * Employment Type: Indefinite Contract Local * Salary: 65,800 UAH * Location: Ukraine * Deadline to receive applications: 7th September 2026. Role Purpose: To deliver 1st line of Defence country or cluster level Safety, Security, Business Continuity, Fire Safety or Environmental Health support to risk owners as the regulatory environment, business prioritiy or threat level dictates. The role will supplement the Geographic Safety and Security Advisor (GSSA) and other 2nd line of Defence SS&C functions. This delivery will include facilitating compliance, participation in internal and external working groups, advising risk owners and implementing cost effective SS&C strategies, programmes and operating models. The CSSFP will input into counry level SS&C returns and plans and work alongside the GSSA and Global Business Continuity Manager (GBCM) to facilitate incident and continuity exercises and planning. Main Accountabilities: Leadership & Management * Lead country level networks and provide confident advice to peers and those of a higher grade. * Functional management of the country or cluster level SS&C function. Strategy and/or Planning * Support the development of strategies, policies and processes that promote safety and security compliance. * Support the delivery and co-ordinate planning exercises, training and compliance reviews, that promote a positive safety and security culture and ensure the business are prepared for incident management. * Support the planning, delivery and review of emergency preparedness activities, including evacuation drills, shelter-in-place drills, air-alert response exercises, communication cascade tests and staff check-in procedures. * Support the design and coordination of safety and security training for staff and teams, delivered directly where appropriate or through qualified external providers. Sector/Subject expertise * Confident PR actioner level experience in Health and Safety and / or Security Managements the location demands. * Monitor country or cluster level compliance against global SS&C frameworks. * Provide direction and advice to the SS&C leadership on local legislation and cultures relevant for SS&C. * Contribute SS&C expertise to country and regional Incident Management Teams. * Assist the RSSA in investigations, inspections and audits as required in relation to SS&C. * Monitor and deliver country or cluster level reports for SS&C. * Monitor and assess the local security environment using official alerts, local authority updates, reputable media, air-alert systems, verified public sources, relevant social media channels, diplomatic and NGO security networks, and other appropriate sources. * Identify emerging threats and patterns relevant to British Council operations, including missile and drone attacks, infrastructure disruption, movement restrictions, curfews, crime, civil unrest and other security risks. * Conduct and review practical safety and security risk assessments for premises, staff travel, partner locations, events, exams, training and other programme delivery in Ukraine. * Support staff movement monitoring for approved travel or higher-risk activity, including check-in arrangements, arrival confirmation and escalation of missed check-ins. * Maintain practical emergency readiness arrangements, including evacuation, sheltering, fire response, medical emergency response, incident escalation and lessons identified from drills or incidents. Relationship and Stakeholder Management * Participate in meetings and workshops as required. * Maintain good strong internal relationships with: * * Safety, Security & Continuity Team. * Country and cluster level risk owners. * * ‘Front of House’ security teams and safety practitioners * Country and cluster level HR, Safeguarding and counter fraud teams. * Country and cluster level members of the Global Estates and facilities teams. * Support Functions including Global Estates, HR, Legal and Comms. * Maintain good strong external relationships with: * * Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO) * FCDO OSM network (Overseas Security Manager) * NGO personnel as appropriate Additional job requirements * The role is based primarily in Kyiv. * Regular travel within Ukraine will be required, subject to risk assessment and British Council approval. * The postholder must be willing and able to work flexibly, including outside standard working hours during significant incidents, periods of elevated threat or urgent operational need. * Professional fluency in Ukrainian and English is essential. Russian language capability is desirable where operationally relevant. Role specific knowledge and experience: Minimum/essential: * Proven experience of working in a security and safety risk practitioner role in Ukraine or another complex, high-threat or war-affected environment. * Strong Health and Safety background. * Experience of organisational security issues and can demonstrate working in a challenging environment. * Supporting security/safety strategies, including for projects. * Delivering security/safety related training at Country or cluster level. * Proficient knowledge of security and safety solutions and systems. * Experience conducting or reviewing practical risk assessments for travel, premises, events, training, exams, public-facing activity or partner-led delivery. * Experience supporting incident response, staff check-in procedures, emergency communications, drills, exercises or staff preparedness activities. * Practical understanding of first aid readiness in a high-threat environment, including the need for appropriate trauma-awareness training delivered by qualified providers. * Proficient knowledge of security and safety solutions and systems, including access control, guarding, visitor management, CCTV, alarms and emergency access. * Balancing safety and security with needs of the business. * Track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, and holding others to account for their practices. * Report writing for stakeholders. * Ability to monitor, verify and interpret publicly available information, official alerts, local-language reporting, reputable media and relevant social media channels to support operational decision-making. * Track record of analysing potential risks, promoting risk awareness, holding others to account and producing clear reports for stakeholders. Desirable * Previous experience supporting an international organisation, diplomatic mission, NGO, cultural organisation, education provider or humanitarian/development organisation in Ukraine or any other high risk environment. * Working with security information * Auditing security and safety systems * Occupational Health * Environmental health (as appropriate) * Fire Safety management as appropriate * Experience of managing security in high-risk environments Language The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required” Qualification: Relevant university degree or equivalent professional experience in safety, security risk management, emergency management, crisis management, civil protection, law enforcement, military, occupational safety, fire safety or another relevant field. Professional fluency in Ukrainian and English. Requirements: Please note that candidates must have the pre-existing, legal right to work in the Ukraine Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. British Council supports working in new ways such as hybrid working, subject to full approval by line management and conditional upon our ability to provide the appropriate level of service. This may not be appropriate for all roles but can be explored at interview. Please note that all applications should be submitted in English only. It is advisable to apply in advance to avoid any technical issues at the last moment. A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities. Safeguarding Statement The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children. If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org