View Vacancy - Shift Supervisor, British Embassy Tbilisi Security Team (GEO24.124) – Internal only

Main purpose of job:

The on-watch supervisors provide 24/7 oversight and quality control of the Embassy security team’s operations. The security team ensures the safety and security of Embassy staff members and visitors, as well as protecting the Embassy building, Ambassador’s Residence, and other residential properties.

The security team is split into four teams operating 12-hour shifts. Each shift supervisor provides direct line management to a team of 4 guards and oversees the on-duty performance of up to 3 additional guards during a working shift, ensuring that duties are conducted in accordance with the Embassy’s Standard Operating Procedures for security, and that discipline is maintained to the highest level. The responsibilities of the guards include oversight of security equipment, daily occurrence logs and security incident reporting, and require good communication skills in both written and spoken English.

The supervisors act as the primary interface with the Post Security Manager (PSM), the Embassy’s external security provider, the State Security Protection Service (SSPS) and any emergency H&S response (fire, medical, police). The supervisors manage the immediate response to any incident within the Embassy perimeter, at one of the Embassy’s residential properties or otherwise involving a diplomatic officer and report the incident to the PSM or Deputy Head of Mission as appropriate.  

The supervisors must therefore maintain the vigilance and readiness of their team.  Their role is critical to ensuring the physical integrity of the Embassy compound, and the health and wellbeing of staff and visitors.

The core duties of a Shift Supervisor are:

Manage Shift Operations:

• Ensure all guards on duty are fit for duty, smartly dressed and all areas are clean and tidy. Escalate issues of human resources or discipline to the PSM. 
• Designate tasks during the shift, including the rotation of guards between relevant positions within the Embassy perimeter.
• Monitor the delivery of security operations pertaining to access control, perimeter security, and incident response, as well as customer services. Ensure the guards are alert, carry out their duties correctly and professionally. Provide guidance and direction as necessary.
• Verbally brief the next shift supervisor on any threat information in relation to the State of Vigilance, visitors or events, and any testing (fire, bomb, incident) or maintenance issues which might affect shift operations.

Oversee threat and environment reporting:

• Liaise with the on-duty SSPS team at the start of each shift and throughout the day to ensure the passage of key information.
• Monitor any threat reports from the external security provider, the media or staff and escalate the information to PSM or DHM as appropriate.
• Provide staff with timely notice of incidents close to the Embassy or in the city centre that could disrupt safe travel routes between the Embassy and residential areas.
• Ensure staff are alerted to issues or outages affecting embassy operations.

Manage first line emergency preparedness and response:

• Manage the preparedness of the guard team through regular refreshers and on-shift training.
• Lead the immediate response to an emergency scenario within the Embassy perimeter or at a residential property and provide an early oral report to the PSM.
• Coordinate with the Embassy’s external security provider in the event of an emergency alarm at a residential property, and dispatch guards to conduct an in-person property check when necessary.
• Manage the initial response to staff involved in an emergency at another location. Aid, liaise with police and alert other staff to the situation, as appropriate.

Provide oversight and audit of security processes and equipment:

• Oversee the Embassy’s regular alarm testing (fire, incident, and bomb).
• Conduct ad-hoc supervisory patrols of the Embassy compound.
• Oversee the inspection of all H&S monitoring systems and equipment. Report deficiencies in any equipment and assist the PSM in procuring replacement items when necessary.
• During the period of a temporary Residence, conduct spot checks of the external provider’s guarding once a week and provide a written report to the PSM.
• Ensure communications including radio checks, and all daily occurrence and visitor logs are maintained by the guards. Complete Security Incident reporting as necessary.
• Conduct monthly ad-hoc musters of keys and security equipment to prevent loss and compromise.

Event security:

• Assist the PSM in the planning and preparation for events at the Embassy, the Ambassador’s residence, or external venues.
• Ensure that security plans are executed, and procedures are conducted in line with SOPs.
• Maintain a secure external environment during events at the Embassy or Residence.

Line Management:

• Provide effective direct line management to 4 guards, supporting them to deliver their key responsibilities, to develop their professional expertise and to take part in other aspects of Embassy life Provide regular updates to the PSM on performance and standards.

Essential on arrival:      

• Experience in security (including private sector), Police or Military forces;
• Fluency at B1 level in English and C1 Georgian;
• Line Management/leadership role experience;
• Basic IT skills in Microsoft packagesç
• Basic experience of security systems (alarms. access control, CCTV etc) and physical security checks.