The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world's population sees AP journalism every day.
The Associated Press seeks an industry-leading journalism safety and security leader for the role of Director of International Safety and Security (High Risk). We’re looking for a nimble and creative thinker to support the development of an industry-leading safety and security framework. The successful candidate must have an abundance of enthusiasm and drive to make AP a leader in high-risk environments while ensuring a commensurate level of risk management is applied for all our journalists operating globally.
The overall aim is to keep AP journalists safe in the face of war, civil unrest, online attacks, identity-based violence and other evolving threats within the modern media landscape. You should be passionate about helping colleagues break major news by mitigating the risks they encounter while being dispatched to the world’s biggest stories.
Responsibilities: Reporting to – and occasionally deputizing for – the Vice President of Global Safety and Security, you’ll assist with the implementation of a wide range of programs for physical and digital security, threat analysis, incident response planning and crisis management. You will manage vendors who safeguard our personnel, facilities, systems and mission critical equipment, while supporting the wider Global Safety and Security team. You must possess the highest editorial standards, upholding the AP’s commitment to preserving the integrity and impartiality of our news reporting.
We’re looking for someone who will:
- Work to make AP an industry leader and develop strategic plans to reduce risks to all AP staff operating internationally, ensuring that deployments comply with current and future Associated Press high risk policy and procedures.
- Design, develop and lead high risk editorial risk management for the Associated Press. This will include positive engagement with editorial leaders across all regions internationally to understand editorial plans and objectives.
- Engage with journalists in the field on a regular, often daily, basis, to ensure robust security management is in place relative to the risk.
- When strategically imperative to support editorial leads – and when there is a need to cover significant breaking news stories – deploy as appropriate to lead on in-country contingency plans, operational support and logistics. You will act as lead in-country crisis manager during critical incidents.
- Engage with the implementation of security and risk assessments, effectively and persuasively communicating security-related concepts to a broad range of technical and non-technical staff at all levels.
- Assess, evaluate and synthesize a large volume of information and intelligence – often from afar – and swiftly provide strategic direction on mitigating threats, including criminal and terrorist activity directed at AP.
- Maintain operational paperwork and processes, including high risk equipment and training standards.
- Support the development of innovative ideas to support the design of future hostile environment, public order, first aid training and resilience courses that will empower field journalists to report more safely in difficult and dynamic conditions, both online and offline.
- Collaborate closely with the information security department to implement and champion policies and protocols that ensure the safety of AP journalists and their sources, online and offline.
- Partner with colleagues in the Human Resources and Legal departments to address sensitive security issues, including investigating security breaches and assisting with disciplinary and legal matters as necessary.
- Build and maintain relationships with key law enforcement, military, intelligence and security officials and agencies across specific regions, as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience working within news organizations, preferably in a similar risk reduction role, with significant high-risk exposure.
- Transferable experience from working within supplementary roles within security, safety, military, law enforcement or intelligence will be considered; however, an understanding of media safety is preferred.
- Significant experience in decision making, with an instinctive understanding of risk/reward balance in high-risk management.
- Strong and empathetic communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence at every level. We're looking for an independent thinker who can confidently – and diplomatically – challenge accepted practice. You must have excellent briefing skills and a sharp eye for detail.
- A proven history of guiding, mentoring and supporting staff.
- Energy and enthusiasm to facilitate responsible journalism in the most challenging environments.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, including excellent verbal and written communication across cultures and quick responsiveness across time zones.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple projects.
- A commitment to actively supporting a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment.
- Advanced-level professional competency in written and spoken English. Fluency in at least one other language is preferred.
- Authorization to work in the United Kingdom will be mandatory.
We’ll consider strong candidates who do not meet every listed qualification. You may use a cover letter to describe the unique qualifications you would bring to this role.
We will review applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled, but applications received before February 14 will be prioritized.
AP seeks to build an inclusive organization grounded in respect for differences. We support all aspects of diversity and provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or status as a veteran. We encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply.
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