Country Security Manager Iraq

, Iraq

Job Family Group:

Health, Safety, Security, and Environment

Worker Type:

Long Term International Assignment

Posting Start Date:

September 29, 2025

Business unit:

HR Corporate Functions

Experience Level:

Experienced Professionals

Job Description:

Job Purpose:

• To work with Businesses and other relevant Functions to develop and maintain a secure business environment throughout Iraq & UAE.
• To provide assurance to Shell Country Chair and Businesses that the risks to Shell assets, projects, staff, information and reputation from security threats are managed effectively to As Low As Reasonably Practical (ALARP).
• To develop and maintain a professional security capability and to continuously improve the security performance of the organization in a diverse operating environment. 

Principal Accountabilities:

• Develop and maintain a secure business environment across Shell's Business footprint in Iraq & UAE, including support and assurance of BGC security
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders (incl major embassies) to identify and assess security threats to Shell's business footprint in order to deliver proactive actionable advice on appropriate mitigation measures.
• Implement the Shell Group Security Standards (GSS) across Shell operated entities in the region, ensuring full compliance with the security requirements in the SEAM framework.
• Ensure that appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place in order to reduce Shell's exposure to security risks to 'As Low As Reasonably Practicable' (ALARP) and that fit-for-purpose and cost-effective security policies, plans and procedures are implemented.
• Provide support to project teams scoping business opportunities in country and, as appropriate, supporting capital projects as they develop
• Assist in the planning and execution of crisis and emergency response exercises and manage/support Shell's response to any security-related incident or crisis.
• Drive collaboration with other Functions to optimize the effectiveness of security risk management and collaborate to ensure an understanding of emerging business opportunities and possible security risks.
• Maintain a record of security spend across Shell Iraq & UAE, and reduce security costs to the Business by identifying and implementing cost reduction measures in security provision, whilst ensuring that contracts with commercial security providers are managed effectively and in line with VPSHR.
• Functionally manage and develop the wider Security skill pool in Iraq & UAE to ensure adequate and timely provision of security support and advice to all Shell businesses.
• Enhance security awareness and vigilance of staff and contractors through visible leadership and engagement sessions
• Act as an integral member of the Shell Iraq & UAE leadership team
• Provide in-country management support to the SISBV Facilities Management (FM) and logistics contracts for SISBV in Iraq

Required Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• High calibre security professional with extensive security experience at a middle/senior level.
• Experience managing security in high-risk locations, including use of private armed security
• Given the unique security environment, experience working in Iraq and knowledge of the regional dynamics advantageous
• Resilient and calm under pressure, borne from experience managing challenging security incidents
• Has the professional and personal stature and credibility to interface and influence a wide variety of stakeholders, including senior Shell business and functional leaders
• Excellent communication skills – able to brief from tactical to strategic, capable of producing high-quality written reports and security briefs
• Experience managing large contracts desirable
• Fluent English given the working language and stakeholders, and Arabic an advantage
• Proactive individual, displaying initiative, flexibility and diplomacy to achieve agreed targets.

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Key Challenges:

• Keeping up to date with a dynamic threat environment in order to optimize security support, maintaining a balance between enabling business activities, managing security costs and mitigating risks to As Low As Reasonably Practical.
• Maintaining vigilance and preparedness so that leadership are prepared for high impact, low likelihood events. 
• Effective management of high value and business critical contracts
• Provide leadership, care and support for a very small in-country team working in challenging circumstances – including ensuring personal security and safety for the team and the individual in an isolated environment
• As the sole senior representative of Shell in Baghdad, there is a need for the incumbent to cover a range of other disciplines (facilities management, etc) to ensure smooth running of operations

Dimensions:

• The position will support all Shell Business operations in Iraq & UAE.
• The incumbent provides direct support to the Country Chair (CCh) and Country Coordination Team, and is line-managed by the Regional Security Manager (RSM) MENA.
• The position will be based in Iraq, on 28/28 expatriate terms rotation with a "back to back" (B2B).
• The position will have a significant impact on the further professionalization of the Security Function across Iraq & UAE.  The incumbent will provide security functional management and development support to various security contractors and security service providers.
• The incumbent will have responsibility for the oversight and influence of all security costs to the organization in Iraq & UAE, requiring detailed budget planning.

DISCLAIMER:

Please note: We occasionally amend or withdraw Shell jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to the advertised closing date. Before applying, you are advised to read our data protection policy. This policy describes the processing that may be associated with your personal data and informs you that your personal data may be transferred to Shell/Shell Group companies around the world. The Shell Group and its approved recruitment consultants will never ask you for a fee to process or consider your application for a career with Shell. Anyone who demands such a fee is not an authorised Shell representative and you are strongly advised to refuse any such demand. Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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