Chief Security Officer

Role Overview

The Deputy Chief Security Officer heads day-to-day protective services for a university and its campuses, reporting directly to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Planning and Institutional Advancement. The job combines hands-on operational leadership — attending crime scenes, directing guards and contracted firms, running investigations — with strategic work such as risk assessment, budgeting and designing crime out of new buildings. It matters because teaching, research and campus life can only continue when students, staff and visitors are safe, and when sensitive matters like examination integrity and high-profile visits are handled with discretion.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct daily security operations across the university and its campuses, attend scenes of crime, establish the dominant findings and translate them into follow-up investigations and prevention measures.
• Manage contracted security providers: set service expectations, audit their deployment and performance, and hold them accountable for the effectiveness of the cover they supply.
• Carry out risk assessments that span routine campus crime as well as broader threats such as national and international terrorism, and present findings and recommendations to senior management.
• Take accountability for the security budget, security personnel and security assets, ensuring operational services are delivered efficiently and represent value for the resources committed.
• Encourage students and staff to report every incident, analyse those reports for emerging trends, and use the analysis to guide cost-effective deployment of guards, CCTV coverage and intelligence gathering.
• Work alongside development project managers, architects and consulting engineers so that crime-reduction and 'Security by Design' principles are built into all refurbishment and new-build projects, reducing opportunities for crime.
• Partner with the Directorate of Exams, the Director of Career and Alumni Affairs, Central Catering and Accommodation Services, the Estates and Facilities Manager, and the Head of Protocol to deliver integrated security for examinations, events and important or royal visits.
• Act as the conduit between the university and the police at all levels, advise senior management on confidential or sensitive matters, handle security-related information discreetly, and coordinate security and safety training for staff and students so that unforeseen disasters do not cause major losses.

Requirements & Qualifications

Candidates may qualify through either of the following routes:

• Route one: a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant area of specialisation from a recognised academic institution.
• At least three (3) years' experience as a Deputy Chief Security Officer or in a comparable position.
• Prior service with any of the disciplined forces of Kenya or with another reputable security firm.
• A clean discharge certificate.
• A valid certificate of good conduct.
• A first aid certificate.
• A fire-fighting certificate.
• Demonstrated computer literacy.

Alternatively:

• Service as a commissioned officer in the disciplined forces at the rank of Superintendent of Police or Administration Police, or an equivalent rank in the armed forces.
• At least five (5) years' experience as a Deputy Chief Security Officer or in a comparable position.
• A clean discharge certificate.
• A valid certificate of good conduct.
• A first aid certificate.
• A fire-fighting certificate.
• Demonstrated computer literacy.