Assistant Director for Global Risk, Health and Safety, Office of Global Engagement, UGA

Posting Number: S09022P  www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/277532

About the University of Georgia:  

Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 40,000 students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 18 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

The Office of Global Engagement consist of multiple offices offering services to university partners and stakeholders in the areas of International Initiatives, Global Education and risk management for international travelers, Immigration Services, International Centers Abroad, and Finance and Operations.

Position Summary:

The University of Georgia, the flagship university of the state of Georgia, is seeking an Assistant Director of Global Risk, Health and Safety. Reporting to the Director for Global Education, the Assistant Director for Global Risk, Health and Safety will facilitate the development and implementation of a UGA global health and safety strategy that is student-facing, supportive of faculty and staff, and resource-driven. In collaboration with key stakeholders, the Assistant Director will develop, manage, and champion a comprehensive travel preparedness and response strategy which promotes the safety and well-being of UGA students, faculty, staff, and others traveling abroad under University sponsorship. In addition, the Assistant Director will develop systems to identify, evaluate, mitigate and monitor international risks for UGA global education.

The Office of Global Engagement serves as the hub for the University’s global engagement. It is a comprehensive unit whose offices carry responsibilities related to all facets of campus internationalization. The success of OGE rests on its ability to work effectively across the campus with academic units and other UGA offices involved in oversight, planning or execution of international activities on campus and abroad.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Emergency Preparedness 30%

• Provide strategic planning and guidance about the management of the University’s international risk, health and safety efforts Continuously assess University international risk, health and safety practices in group and individual programs and activities, and arrange for systematic evaluation and audits Maintain risk assessment protocols and related communications Conduct on-site risk assessments, when needed Review and provide input to programs abroad and individual travel plans and recommend steps to mitigate risk and improve balance between safety risks and academic objectives

Emergency Management 30%

• Serve as the lead and manager of international incidents involving UGA students and faculty/staff In collaboration with key stakeholders, serve as first responder for crises involving UGA students abroad Monitor worldwide events, issues, legal decisions and trends that may affect UGA interests abroad, and disseminate alerts and announcements according to standardized protocols Use Locator Search tools in the StudyAway Portal to monitor travel and issue timely communication, as appropriate Maintain and monitor the online incident reporting tool for study abroad

Policy and Compliance 15%

• Review study abroad program proposals, current programs, and travel plans, recommending steps to mitigate risk and improve balance between safety risks and academic objectives Serve as primary insurance contact for study abroad: explain policy; develop and maintain online resources; triage questions and issues; determine course of action; and report feedback on provider services Provide reports to stakeholders on matters of global risk, health and safety, including Clery reporting Assist with planning the OGE Risk Management Advisory Committee meetings and implementation of policies and procedures resulting from the committee’s decisions

Training, Presentations and Resources 15%

• Oversee annual risk management training for faculty and staff involved in study abroad programs Provide regular risk management training for Global Education staff Develop and deliver training for high-threat and high-frequency situations in study abroad Provide expert advice on global health and safety to the OGE leadership, committees, program directors, and individual faculty, students, and staff Participate in pre-departure orientations for students studying abroad Contribute to plans, student and program director guides, web pages, etc., to provide clear safety and emergency guidance

Outreach and Other Duties: 10%

• Maintain regular contact with UGA campus partners (Office of Emergency Preparedness, Police Department, Export Controls, MarComm, the University Health Center, CAPS, Legal, Pride Center, ISL, EOO, Dean of Students, Student Care and Outreach, and Student Conduct) Assist with the development of effective partnerships with key education abroad program providers, non-governmental organizations, corporations, and government agencies in the areas of global risk, health and safety Foster productive relationships with external experts and resources including those at the US Department of State, Center for Disease Control (CDC), Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC), University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Forum on Education Abroad, and other relevant groups Develop and maintain a reliable network of support and shared resources among institutional peers (e.g., USG, SEC) in the areas of international health and safety Other duties related to Global Education as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

Experience in global safety, security, emergency, or risk management or overseas program management for a university, governmental or non-governmental organization, and/or international business.

Knowledge and interpersonal skills to work effectively with faculty and staff, students, parents, police and government agencies; experience living, working, or studying abroad. Able to communication clearly, effectively, and persuasively both verbally and in writing; work well and form productive alliances with all kinds of people at all levels of the organization. Well organized, able to balance conflicting priorities, remain calm under pressure and in crisis situations. Handle confidential and personal information with discretion. Computer skills including MS Office.

Minimum Qualifications:  

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field.  Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Previous position in higher education with relevant and progressively responsible experience in international risk management and analysis; experience coordinating across administrative units and working with faculty or senior staff. Working proficiency in a foreign language. Graduate degree in international education or business, law, communications, mental health-related fields, risk-analysis or related field of study. Proficiency with computer software, data management, and social media.

Demonstrated knowledge of multi-dimensional approaches to global safety and security management, applicable to a wide range of activities, situations, and locations. Candidates whose primary safety experience is in executive protection or physical security should demonstrate expertise in other approaches more relevant to university activities. Ability to help travelers and decisionmakers make their own balanced consideration of tradeoffs between safety considerations and other important objectives.

Physical Demands: Standard for a normal office environment.

Condition of Employment:

This position is the primary on-call incident leader for international emergencies and will be available to share 24/7/365 emergency coverage (by cell phone) with other qualified personnel. Occasional domestic and international travel for conferences and training, site assessment, and/or emergency response. Travel may be required on short notice to manage an emergency. Environmental conditions can be stressful especially in the event of an international emergency.

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

PLEASE NOTE: On December 7, 2021, the federal District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued a preliminary injunction against enforcing the vaccine requirement for
Federal Contractors pending further review. As a result, the requirements of the Executive Order and associated guidance, including the vaccination requirement for covered contractor employees, are currently not in effect.

The University of Georgia is a Federal Contractor as defined by Presidential Executive Order 14042 and subject to the requirement that Federal Contractors must ensure that all covered employees, including those working remotely, are fully vaccinated by January 4, 2022. You may be required to show proof of your fully vaccinated status at the time of your start date, or have received a medical or religious exemption from the fully vaccinated requirement at the time of your start date. For more information regarding the Federal Contractor fully vaccinated employment requirement please visit https://coronavirus.uga.edu/executive-order/ or call (706) 542-2222.