Director, Health, Safety & Security Global Partnerships and Support

This effort includes: Overseeing effective health, safety and security training for University units and personnel engaged in University-sponsored activities abroad; Developing and delivering effective health and safety pre-departure orientations for Study Abroad program participants and other BU-sponsored international travelers, both in-person and remote; Providing regular updates and emergency response training for Global Programs staff, including at international sites, including annual refreshers and role-specific training; Serving as a subject matter expert to advise faculty and graduate student researchers and other BU travelers as needed; Representing Global Programs on several health and safety committees, including the Enterprise Risk Management Advisory Council, and chairing the Global Travel Risk Assessment Committee (GTRAC). This includes: Active risk assessment of various locations, which includes monitoring of travel policies, local health conditions, and other key factors impacting international travel and safety in the locations where BU has a presence or sends travelers; Timely risk assessment communication to University stakeholders; Proactively developing and maintaining key relationships with government and international organizations and professional membership groups such as the Pulse International network to stay abreast of global health and safety trends and communications and to ensure the University’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies; Sharing content expertise and providing operational support to inform the work of the Global Travel Risk Assessment Committee (GTRAC); Serving as Global Programs contact for Clery Act reporting.

Global Programs advances Boston University's global strategy and serves as a champion for global initiatives at home in Boston, abroad, and away from the Boston campuses. We work to support a stronger, larger, and ever more diverse portfolio of global activities that builds on BU's strengths: academic excellence; entrepreneurial ideas; a professional approach including financial, legal, and ethical responsibility; and a commitment to being a good global citizen wherever we work. Global Programs consists of a multi-national study abroad/study away and experiential learning operation enrolling more than 2,300 students annually with approximately 400 administrative and instructional staff members in Boston and throughout the world at eleven BU staffed Study Abroad sites. 

 

The Director of Health, Safety, and Security reports to the Managing Director of Global Partnerships and Support and coordinates Global Programs' international health and safety strategy and response.They serve as a resource for all University students, parents, faculty, staff, and administrators regarding health, safety, and security abroad, and primarily for our study abroad/study away, and experiential programs with an eye toward comprehensive emergency planning, response capability, and operational resilience. In collaboration with key stakeholders, the Director is responsible for the development, refinement, and implementation of policies, procedures, and activities associated with global travel and emergency preparedness, crisis management and international incident response for BU students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad for any University-sponsored or sanctioned activity as defined by the University's International Travel Risk Policy and is a key point of contact for that University policy. The Director also represents Global Programs on several University committees related to risk and emergency response.

The Director supervises the Health, Safety and Security Manager and supports their professional development. The Director works closely with colleagues across Global Programs, and specifically with the Global Programs leadership team.

Key Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions

I. Preparedness, Planning and Policy Development (35%)

The Director will provide strategic planning and guidance for the management of the University’s international health and safety efforts, serving as a resource to in-country Study Abroad site staff, BU affiliates, BU travelers, and University leadership. This includes:

• Guiding the development and maintenance of emergency preparedness and response plans;
• Assessing Study Abroad site readiness through annual review of emergency plans, documenting gaps, recommending corrective actions, and tracking implementation in collaboration with site and Global Programs leadership;
• Implementing and ensuring adherence to the University’s International Travel Risk Policy;
• In collaboration with senior leadership, reviewing and making recommendations for any modifications to the policy;
• Developing and overseeing a plan for conducting audits and assessments of University-sponsored sites and programs, and maintaining and sharing assessment protocols;
• Overseeing systems for reporting worldwide safety and security incidents;
• In partnership with the Managing Director, Global Partnerships and Support and Health, Safety and Security Manager, maintaining a travel risk management system for travel tracking, risk intelligence and traveler assistance;
• Serving as a primary insurance contact for Study Abroad operations: communicating with insurance representatives and international assistance provider, triaging questions and issues; and reporting feedback on provider services;
• Coordinating with the Office of Risk Management and other stakeholders across campus to ensure that travelers are identified, insured and prepared for emergencies abroad;
• Leading a cross-functional Global Programs Safety Management Team to regularly review incidents and plan for emergency response.

II. Outreach and Training (25%)

The Director will lead the development and implementation of health, safety, and security education programs for students, faculty and staff involved in study, service learning and research abroad. Working closely with the Health, Safety and Security Manager, Study Abroad site leadership, and relevant University partners, the Director ensures that outreach and training meet or exceed University policy requirements and industry best practice. This effort includes:

• Overseeing effective health, safety and security training for University units and personnel engaged in University-sponsored activities abroad;
• Developing and delivering effective health and safety pre-departure orientations for Study Abroad program participants and other BU-sponsored international travelers, both in-person and remote;
• Providing regular updates and emergency response training for Global Programs staff, including at international sites, including annual refreshers and role-specific training;
• Serving as a subject matter expert to advise faculty and graduate student researchers and other BU travelers as needed;
• Representing Global Programs on several health and safety committees, including the Enterprise Risk Management Advisory Council, and chairing the Global Travel Risk Assessment Committee (GTRAC).

III. Research, Risk Assessment and Monitoring (20%)

The Director will monitor world events, issues and trends affecting global programs across higher education and disseminate this information to support safety and risk-related decision making across the University. This includes:

• Active risk assessment of various locations, which includes monitoring of travel policies, local health conditions, and other key factors impacting international travel and safety in the locations where BU has a presence or sends travelers;
• Timely risk assessment communication to University stakeholders;
• Proactively developing and maintaining key relationships with government and international organizations and professional membership groups such as the Pulse International network to stay abreast of global health and safety trends and communications and to ensure the University’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies;
• Sharing content expertise and providing operational support to inform the work of the Global Travel Risk Assessment Committee (GTRAC);
• Serving as Global Programs contact for Clery Act reporting.

 

IV. Crisis Management and Emergency Response (20%)

In the case of emergencies abroad and away from the Boston campuses, and working closely with the senior leadership of Global Programs, the Director will serve as BU's point person for emergency incident response and lead the Global Programs Safety Management Team activities. They provide strategic leadership for response and post-incident assessment. This role includes:

• Developing, disseminating, and updating incident response protocols for the range of potential emergencies abroad;
• Serving as a designated first responder and senior incident coordinator, as appropriate, for crises involving BU travelers abroad;
• Fulfilling the role of an Authorized Person for the University’s emergency assistance provider, being available on call on a rotating basis with other team members;
• Communicating with academic or global units and appropriate BU officials in case of emergency;
• Guiding active support to academic or global units for evacuation or repatriation efforts with the University’s assistance provider and insurers, local staff on the ground, and the student or staff member's family;
• Leading incident debriefings and after-action reviews after major incidents that impact health, safety and security; and draft appropriate reports and recommendations.

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree required in relevant field; Master's or JD degree strongly preferred.
• At least 8 years of progressive professional experience in fast-paced international operational environment.
• Experience in global safety, security, emergency, or risk management or overseas program management for a university, governmental or non-governmental organization, and ability to develop and implement global health and safety operational strategies.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office products or other analytical tools and data management.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others, advise senior leadership, lead cross-functional decision making during rapidly evolving situation, and establish strategic priorities across a complex organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation and intercultural skills, including an ability to clearly and persuasively communicate concepts and ideas, garner respect and confidence of leadership, build productive relationships and produce results in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated command of writing across a broad spectrum of platforms.
• Ability to set and monitor priorities to meet deadlines, and with ability to champion innovation and act with urgency in service to BU's vision and mission.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and remain solutions oriented.
• Ability to travel on short notice if necessary.

**Cover letter required for all applicants **

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. 

Required Experience