Reporting to the Associate Director of International Safety & Security (IS&S) in Global Support Services (GSS), the Security Specialist serves as the security, research, and intelligence analyst for the IS&S team. This includes advising on risk mitigation strategies for University affiliates in 160+ countries annually. Routinely collect, analyze, and disseminate information about worldwide incidents and threats. Perform data collection, analysis, and reporting for the IS&S team and, as necessary, for the University International Emergency Management Team (IEMT). As a member of the IS&S team, provide analytical and administrative support; assist Program Managers with communications, outreach, and training; and conduct global risk assessments to inform staff, students, and faculty who travel overseas and participate in international research, study, and programs. Collaborate with GSS staff, clients, and University stakeholders to support international travel, security, and operations.

• Monitor international intelligence and media feeds. Analyze, examine, corroborate, and disseminate data promptly to relevant personnel.
• Coordinate with the IEMT to communicate and exchange information before, during, and after incidents. Write and edit advisory messages, using your subject matter expertise to synthesize advice from internal and external advisors.
• Assist the Senior Program Manager for Security Operations in monitoring travel tracking and communication systems, uploading data, and training system users.
• Write, compile, and edit analyses for specific trips, programs, or countries, using multiple sources and professional judgment regarding threats and vulnerabilities.
• Work with the Senior Program Manager for Security Operations to make ad hoc recommendations and bi-annual changes to Harvard GSS’ Travel Risk Ratings, and communicate rating changes to GSS, the IEMT, and applicable University stakeholders.
• Help review international emergency protocols and procedures, including tracking compliance with the University’s pre-travel requirements for Harvard’s Schools and units.
• Maintain risk assessment protocols for high-threat environments.
• As needed, assist the Senior Program Managers with education and training for international program organizers, trip leaders, and individual travelers; topics include travel safety and risk mitigation, including high-threat situations.

Secondary Duties

• Maintain accurate records and enter travel, security, and client data into data management systems.
• Assist with University-wide outreach, presentations, and communications for GSS, including occasional off-hours events.
• Evaluate University-wide international health and safety practices and within individual programs and activities.
• Collect data for international safety and security benchmarking and vendor assistance.
• Collaborate with Assistant Director of Communications and Strategic Projects to create and update content on the GSS website, and manage the IEMT Portal.
• Prepare daily intelligence briefs, and write and disseminate weekly traveler reports and monthly global situation reports to the IEMT.
• Collaborate with public and private higher education and intelligence groups to pursue best practices on relevant safety and security issues.

• On-Call: Must be available 24/7 by phone, email, and digital device during defined on-call periods (typically one week/month) and during emergency response situations.

  Travel: Occasional domestic and international travel for conferences and trainings, site assessments, and/or emergency response.

Bachelor's degree and at least three years' experience in safety, security, risk management, international programs, or related areas.

Enthusiastic communicator with strong writing and public speaking abilities. Able to quickly analyze large quantities of information and effectively convey the same in high stress environments. Technically savvy. Self-motivated and demonstrates initiative, works well independently and with others, and appreciates working in a diverse environment.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel
• Experience using social media platforms
• Higher education experience, including work with faculty or students, preferred
• Experience with travel tracking, website content management, email marketing, and client relationship management systems

Emergency Status Designation: Critical Operations Personnel. Member of the International Emergency Management Team (IEMT) with on-call responsibilities for University emergencies.

Harvard GSS is for students, faculty, staff, and academics who are studying, researching, working, or traveling abroad. Our services span safety and security, health, culture, outbound immigration, employment, financial and legal matters, and research center operations. These include travel briefings and registration, emergency response, guidance on international projects, and managing in-country operations. We support affiliates before and during their travels, and help Schools, departments, and centers conduct their international activities.

Our responsive, experienced team brings expertise and professional connections to nearly every area of international travel and operations, making us a single point of contact for one-time engagements and longer-term collaborations.

We’re a strategic, full-service office with a truly global perspective. Since 2011, we have helped the Harvard community minimize risk, manage complexity, and feel confident about their international travel and activities. Learn more about GSS.

About Harvard University and its international footprint

Harvard is a large, diverse, and highly decentralized university with campuses in Cambridge and Boston. It consists of 12 degree-granting schools, a central administration division, and numerous research institutes, research centers, museums, affiliated hospitals, and affiliated overseas entities. Each School and unit are largely independent of one another. The University has more than 25,000 full- and part-time degree candidates and nearly 18,000 employees, including more than 2,200 faculty members.

Harvard’s international engagement runs deep: The international population has grown to more than 10,000 students and scholars. With a known annual travel population of 10,000+ individuals to more than 160 countries, Harvard’s international footprint is unlike most universities. The University funds or enables a significant amount of independent travel in addition to organized group travel. Students, faculty, academics, and staff travel abroad to study, work, conduct research, attend conferences, compete, and perform. Graduate and undergraduate students account for nearly 80% of known travel. The University also has more than 20 research centers abroad.

General Administration

USA - MA - Cambridge

358056 Admin Pro/Indiv Contrib

Global Support Services

Full-time

056

00 - Non Union, Exempt or Temporary

Criminal, Education, Employment, Identity

Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.