Travel and Security Risk Manager

EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. EDC designs, implements, and evaluates programs to improve education, health, and economic opportunity worldwide. Collaborating with both public and private partners, we strive for a world where all people are empowered to live healthy, productive lives. EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace.

EDC has an opening for a full-time Travel and Security Risk Manager, reporting to the Director of Global Safety and Security, in Washington, D.C.  This position will be remote until EDC’s U.S. offices re-open.  Once they re-open, a D.C. office location is preferred, but other remote locations will be considered.  Applications that include a cover letter detailing their interest in this position and in EDC will be given preference.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will provide global travel and security risk support and enhance EDC’s duty of care as it relates to business travel, incident response and management, and staff security training.  This role offers a candidate who understands international travel planning and/or logistics and a passion for creating practical and sustainable systems the opportunity to assist and lead initiatives that will contribute to EDC’s organization-wide safety and security programs and international operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The person in this position is expected to communicate clearly; to develop and maintain positive relationships with consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies and procedures.  As a new position, please note that this job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

The Travel and Security Risk Manager, in close collaboration with the Director of Global Safety and Security, will provide technical support to project staff and stakeholders in the US and abroad, including:

• Providing safety and security services to US and international EDC business travelers via pre-travel briefings, staff training, travel risk app guidance, and post-travel debriefs. 

• Managing relationships and coordinating with EDC’s travel management and medical and security evacuation partners to ensure accurate and timely itinerary information sharing, monitoring of EDC’s traveler tracking, and troubleshooting travel and emergency-related issues as they arise.

• Proactively monitoring travel risks, country travel advisories, analyzing major events in areas where EDC operates, and liaising with EDC’s Director of Global Safety and Security and security focal points to provide recommendations that mitigate security, operational, and travel risks.

• Creating and updating EDC safety, security, and travel management plans in collaboration with US Operations, Information Technology (IT), Communications, US and international divisions, and other stakeholders.

• Engaging with EDC domestic US and international project teams to enhance ongoing COVID and non-COVID related event planning, travel risk management, and capacity development.

• Managing travel security compliance with related policies by regularly auditing travel booking systems and data and onboarding new business travelers.

• Overseeing the creation and/or maintenance of an EDC SharePoint site dedicated to travel risk management resources and information that is accessible to all EDC staff.

• Assisting the Director of Global Safety and Security with business development requests, including security assessments, budgets, plans, and identification of in-country points of contact to support proposal development.

The Travel and Security Risk Manager:

• Serves as a primary liaison with EDC’s travel management partner(s) and is the first point of contact for issues and questions related to supplier-provided web-based travel registration tools.

• Serves as primary coordinator for assistance to EDC travelers experiencing routine incidents, working with EDC’s contracted international assistance provider and relevant EDC offices to ensure timely responses and notifications.

• Provides training and guidance or technical direction to business travelers based upon destination risk levels.

• Coordinates logistical and other practical steps, as determined by the EDC crisis management structure, for assisting travelers experiencing an emergency.

• Promotes security department initiatives, drafts organization-wide communications, including all-staff emails, documents such as one-pagers, user guides, and training manuals, and webinars.

• Troubleshoots complex problems, proposes initiatives and recommends or negotiates solutions with input from key stakeholders.

This position requires exemplary communication skills; demonstrable initiative, creativity, and flexibility; ability to work independently and effectively in groups; excellent writing skills; and strong organizational skills. Specific requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and experience

• 4-6 years related experience in travel risk management, security management, or international operations

• Willingness to work Eastern Time Zone (EDT) business hours and flexible hours that accommodate international staff and travelers, as needed     

• Strong analytical skills and aptitude for details

• Experience developing and/or delivering training to diverse audiences

• Ability to meet deadlines and set priorities, particularly if there are time constraints

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

• International travel experience is preferred

• Professional proficiency in French or Spanish is preferred

Applications that include a cover letter detailing their interest in this position and in EDC will be given preference.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.