Director, Global Health, Safety & Security / Study Abroad Travel Security Admin/S

Working/Functional Title

Director, Global Health, Safety & Security

Position Summary

For over 25 years, Michigan State University (MSU) has been recognized among the top U.S. institutions for education abroad, supporting more than 7,000 travelers each year across 300 programs in over 60 countries and all seven continents. The Office for Global Health, Safety and Security (GHSS) supports all MSU global travelers’ health, safety, and security.

Reporting to the vice provost and dean of international studies and programs and working in close partnership with the associate dean for research and strategic partnerships in International Studies and Programs (ISP), the director of global health, safety and security (director) will identify best practices and provide strategic leadership, planning, and operational management to the University and its constituents on matters of global health, safety, and security. In collaboration with key stakeholders around the University, the director will develop, manage, and champion a comprehensive travel preparedness and response strategy to promote and protect the well-being of MSU students, scholars, faculty, staff, and others traveling abroad and domestically under University sponsorship, and the University’s global teaching, outreach, and research efforts. The director will actively identify, evaluate, mitigate, and monitor global risks for MSU.

ISP is currently operating under a hybrid modality structure, with staff working three days in person and two days remotely. This structure is subject to change at any time.

This position is the primary on-call incident leader for global emergencies and must be available to share 24/7/365 emergency coverage (by cell phone) with other qualified personnel. Travel to support ISP programs will be required as needed; travel is not a significant component of the role, as the director is expected to lead the response and support of global health and safety concerns on campus.

Strategy, Policy, and Practice

• Lead a collaborative strategy-development and implementation process, with participation and buy-in from a range of University stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain practical and effective global health and safety standards, expectations, policies, and guidelines for MSU programs, activities, and independent travelers.
• Partner with officials across campus to build consensus, facilitate implementation, and collect feedback. Make connections among units with common needs.
• Continuously assess University-wide global health and safety practices in group and individual programs and activities and arrange for systematic evaluation and audits.
• Provide risk management analyses and recommendations, provide on-going proactive general assessment of risk at locations worldwide, and provide data tracking and analyses.
• Serve as the lead University spokesperson on health and safety issues impacting the University’s interests abroad.

Crisis Management

• Develop general and specific emergency plans, oversee emergency response, train emergency support responders, and directly manage complex emergencies. Share 24/7/365 coverage for global emergencies with Global Safety Coordinators and maintain the on-call schedule. Conduct after-action reviews following major incidents.
• Respond to global traveler incidents. In the case of students, work with relevant units such as the Office of Student Support and Accountability, Office of General Counsel, Office for Education Abroad and academic colleges as needed to develop individualized response plans.
• Oversee and participate in operation of the 24/7 International Emergency Assistance line with MSU Police department. Train individuals responsible for answering line; provide regular updates to ISP and global emergency contacts and procedures; offer training on mitigating risk to the MSU community.
• Manage and participate in continuous monitoring of worldwide events, issues, legal decisions and trends that may affect MSU affiliates abroad and disseminate alerts and announcements according to standardized protocols.
• Coordinate in-depth risk forecasting and analysis (political and security), when needed.
• Utilize university systems for student incident reporting.

Expertise, Consulting, and Communication

• Provide expert advice on global health and safety to the University leadership, committees, program leaders, and individual faculty, students, and staff. Interpret relevant rules, policies and protocols.
• Recommend local structures for safety management and develop “best practice” roles and responsibilities.
• Coordinate, set agenda, maintain web site and carry out directives of Risk and Security Assessment Committee (RSAC), including the facilitation of waiver requests. Conduct incident debriefings and after-action reviews after major incidents that impact health and safety; draft appropriate reports and recommendations.  
• In collaboration with the Office for Education Abroad and ISP Communications, provide messaging to media inquiries.
• Work closely with IT staff to oversee, improve and promote the use of on-line Travel Registry resources, including collection, travel tracking, incident reporting, compliance and related processes.
• As needed, review program and travel plans and recommend steps to mitigate risk and improve balance between safety risks and academic objectives.
• Alert the University leaders to major safety concerns, whether systemic or particular. Identify and address areas of limited expertise, engaging MSU faculty, experts and outside consultants as needed.
• Develop and maintain risk assessment protocols, including protocols suitable for high-threat environments.
• Conduct visits abroad for on-site risk assessments and to assist with emergency response.
• Write/draft plans, guides, web pages, etc. to provide clear safety and emergency guidance.
• Write reports and proposals as requested.
• Maintain and foster productive relationships with external experts and resources including those at the US Department of State, Overseas Advisory Council (OSAC), the FBI, University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA), NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the Forum on Education Abroad, and other relevant groups.
• Represent MSU nationally and internationally in the areas of health and safety.

Training and Outreach

• Develop, manage, and coordinate communications and outreach to promote global safety initiatives and practices at all levels of the organization. Create and deliver presentations to various audiences.
• Develop training for program organizers and program leaders, including training for high-threat situations as appropriate. Provide guidance and content for local training and pre-travel orientation programs.
• Partner with MSU units and administrators (such as University Physician/Travel Clinic, Counseling Center, Office of General Counsel, Office of Risk Management and Insurance, Department of Police and Public Safety,  Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (IDI), and Student Life and Engagement (SLE) to facilitate health and safety education through access to information, expertise and resources, and to protect students, employees, and the University itself against safety risks abroad.
• Develop effective partnerships with key education abroad program providers, non-governmental organizations, corporations, and government agencies in the areas of international health and safety. Manage vendor and contractual relationships.
• Supervise Global Safety Coordinator staff.

Compliance

• Lead the development and implementation of consistent global health, safety and compliance communication.
• Assess whether existing precautions, plans and policies are adequate to reduce potential risk and meet applicable Federal, State and University compliance responsibilities.
• Develop workflows and business processes to meet emerging federal regulatory requirements for export compliance and research security.
• Serve as mandatory reporter for incidents of sexual harassment/violence occurring during university sponsored global travel.
• Serve as a campus security authority and work in coordination with the Clery Act Compliance Coordinator on Clery Act compliance matters. 

Professional Development

• Contribute to the development of the global health and safety risk management field through professional development, national committee and board service, presentations and publications.
• Develop and maintain a reliable network of support and shared resources among institutional peers (e.g., CIC) in the areas of international health and safety.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge normally acquired by completing one to two years of post-baccalaureate degree work with at least three years of progressively responsible professional experience in global safety, international studies, international programs, security, emergency or risk management, or overseas program management within a University, government, NGO, or international business setting is required. Extensive knowledge of international program safety and security, strong interpersonal skills for working with diverse stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, parents, police, and government agencies), and proven written and oral communication proficiency are necessary for the role.

Desired Qualifications

The successful candidate should have the following capabilities and attributes:

• Advanced degree, experience in higher education or a similar educational environment, and proficiency in technology and data management.
• Demonstrating political savvy, diplomacy, and an inclusive leadership style to foster collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• Supporting faculty and students in crisis situations with strong risk management awareness.
• Communicating nimbly, empathetically, and with cultural sensitivity while building and nurturing relationships across internal and external networks.
• Developing and managing data collection, tracking, and reporting systems with technological proficiency in global risk and support tools.
• Leading institutional committees, guiding policy development, and supporting faculty and students in an academic setting.
• Responding proactively, industriously, and with a strong orientation toward learning and continuous improvement.
• Exercising discretion, sensitivity, and strong judgment while maintaining a composed and patient approach.
• Navigating complex institutional systems, integrating best practices, and ensuring strong follow-through.
• Ensuring cultural competence and inclusivity by addressing diverse program needs with care and thoughtfulness.
• Understanding international education, large decentralized organizations, and global program administration while maintaining strong connections to professional networks (OSAC, NAFSA, Forum on Education Abroad).

Additional Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to remain calm under pressure and in crisis situations.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and belonging

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Work Hours

This position is the primary on-call incident leader for global emergencies and must be available to share 24/7/365 emergency coverage (by cell phone) with other qualified personnel.

Website

HTTPS://GLOBALSAFETY.ISP.MSU.EDU/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends March 4, 2025 at 11:55 P.M.