The Safety Abroad Officer is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of international safety education, training, protocols and communications. This role serves as Safety Abroad’s lead systems manager for the team’s processes through WI’s Client Relationships Management (CRM) software system acting as a subject matter expert, holding responsibilities for developing standard operating processes and procedures, implementing quality management practices and continuous improvements to ensure efficient and effective use of this system. They will also be responsible for compiling the information required for high-risk travel requests and creating Travel Safety and Security Plans. This role leads data analysis and prepares data requests. This role includes evening and weekend on-call emergency incident monitoring and participates in emergency response efforts.

Safety Education and Training

• Informed by best practices, current research, institutional data and feedback, the Officer is responsible for the development, delivery and monitoring of international travel safety education and training for students, staff and faculty going abroad
• Remains informed on current standards and best practices through participation in external communities of practice (Canadian Bureau of International Education) and travel safety and security webinars
• Seeks opportunities to educate the Faculties, the Student Success Office, Co-operative Education and other units on safety abroad requirements and processes
• Manages traveller tracking and travel safety compliance in the CRM

University-wide resource

• Acts as a University-wide resource related to international travel safety best practices and processes
• Provides expertise and support to ensure programs, activities and actions are conducted according to the University’s travel safety requirements
• Oversees the accuracy of international travel data in the CRM
• Responds to requests for international travel data from University stakeholders
• Advocates proactive and responsive programming on behalf of the University based on research-informed best practices

CRM/Technical Systems Support and Management

• Serves as the lead Systems Manager and System Administrator for the Safety Abroad team’s customized CRM
• Is a key internal resource and subject matter expert for developing CRM system workflows and troubleshooting systems
• Maintains the Safety Abroad team’s Standard Operating Procedures in the CRM
• Oversees traveller compliance as per University travel safety requirements in the CRM
• Manages quality management practices (audits) between the CRM and the University’s travel safety and security provider
• Acts as the key contact and liaison with outside CRM consultant(s)
• Support the Safety Abroad Coordinator with problem-solving in CRM

High-Risk Travel Requests

• Coordinates the high-risk travel approval process by compiling documents required for high-risk approval requests to be considered by the Vice-President Academic and Provost
• Provides risk mitigation review and suggestions for review by the Vice-President Academic and Provost
• Creates Travel Safety and Security plans for approved high-risk travel requests

Protocols and Process

• Responsible for the collaborative development and monitoring of safety protocols for students, staff and faculty while abroad
• Maintain accurate standard operating procedures for the CRM and the international travel safety and security provider
• Reviews incident alerts and initiates communications with students, staff, faculty, partners, etc., if events or incidents take place that create safety concerns per Standard Operating Procedures
• Ensures the development and consistent implementation of processes to support safety abroad for the University community
• Works collaboratively with the Safety Abroad Officer and Manager, Safety Abroad to ensure these processes’ effective operation, both internally and externally
• In the absence of the Manager, Safety Abroad works with the University’s insurance partners and Travel Safety and Security Provider to establish processes
• Utilizes a continuous improvement approach to ensure best and promising practices are implemented in incident management, documentation, and systems approaches

Emergency Response

• Participates as a member of the on-call international emergency response team
• Monitors safety and security events taking place worldwide and reviews incident alerts
• Demonstrates knowledge of emergency response procedures; problem-solves, uses resources, and acts quickly in difficult situations
• Follows established emergency response processes and collaborates with stakeholders and University travel safety and security provider to provide timely and appropriate assistance
• In the absence of the Manager, Safety Abroad liaises with Travel Safety and Security Provider
• Acts as a key liaison with internal stakeholder during emergencies

• Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Canadian Risk Management Designation (CRM) or equivalent professional designation is preferred
• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health Duty of Care training or equivalent is preferred
• 4+ years of experience in the development and delivery of safety education and training in international travel and risk assessment to a diverse audience
• Experience with initiating and coordinating an emergency response process
• Experience building relationships, collaboratively, with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience with a Client Relationships Management (CRM) or Business Process Management System to manage interconnected systems
• Experience developing and maintaining LEARN, or equivalent, online teaching modules
• Demonstrated experience with identifying risks and creating measures put in place to mitigate or eliminate these risks
• Critical attention to detail
• Excellent written communication skills
• CRM subject matter expert
• High degree of accuracy and accountability
• Prioritize, adapt and react quickly to rapidly changing sensitive situations, calmly and effectively
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
• Experience in a university environment preferred
• Experience with intercultural and/or international issues is required
• Advanced MS Office user with experience utilizing Excel, Access/databases; internet; student information systems and SharePoint
• Benefit training in mental health first aid

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the

Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.