Safety and Security Manager at Green Hills Academy (Kigali, Rwanda) – Complete Career Guide 2026

 

A Leadership Role That Protects 2,400 Learners

The Safety and Security Manager role at Green Hills Academy (GHA) is not just about guards and gates. It is about creating a safe, supportive, and internationally minded learning environment for 2,400 students in Kigali.

This position combines:

• Leadership
• Risk management
• Child safeguarding
• Crisis response
• Policy development
• Collaboration with local authorities

If you are experienced in safety, security, or risk management and want a role that makes a real difference in education, this opportunity is significant.

Application Deadline: Friday, 13 March 2026 at 5:00 p.m.

About Green Hills Academy

Green Hills Academy is one of the largest international schools in Rwanda, serving approximately 2,400 students in Kigali. The school follows an IB (International Baccalaureate) philosophy that emphasizes:

• Inquiry-based learning
• International mindedness
• Student well-being
• Holistic development

This means safety systems must enable learning, not restrict it.

The Safety and Security Manager reports directly to the Operations Director and works with:

• School leadership
• Educators
• Counselors
• Facilities teams
• Security service providers
• Local emergency agencies

What Does a Safety and Security Manager Really Do? (Simple Explanation)

In simple terms, this role ensures:

• Students are physically safe.
• Staff feel secure.
• Visitors are monitored.
• Emergencies are prepared for.
• Risks are identified and managed early.

But more importantly, in an international school context, safety is about care, respect, and proactive protection.

This is a leadership position — not a guard role.

Core Responsibilities Explained in Detail

Creating a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment

The manager ensures that:

• The campus is secure.
• Child protection policies are enforced.
• Safety procedures are age-appropriate.
• The school culture promotes shared responsibility.

Real-Life Example (Rwanda Context)

If a parent raises concerns about supervision during break time, the manager investigates movement patterns, adjusts supervision zones, and strengthens visibility around playground areas.

Safety here is proactive, not reactive.

Campus Safety and Security Inspections

This involves systematic inspection of:

• Classrooms
• Laboratories
• Playgrounds
• Sports facilities
• Boarding houses
• Parking areas
• Perimeter fencing
• CCTV systems
• Emergency exits

Practical Example

During inspection, the manager notices poor lighting near a parking area. This could increase vulnerability at dismissal time. Immediate action is recommended to facilities for repair.

Documentation is critical:

• Risk rating
• Corrective action
• Follow-up tracking

This structured approach ensures accountability.

Arrival and Dismissal Supervision

School arrival and dismissal are high-risk times.

The manager:

• Design supervision plans
• Coordinates staff and security personnel
• Manages traffic flow
• Ensures pedestrian safety
• Oversees gate control

Kigali-Specific Insight

Traffic congestion in certain areas of Kigali during peak hours can increase risk. The manager must coordinate with:

• School transportation
• Private drivers
• Security staff
• Possibly local traffic police if needed

Efficient arrival systems reduce accidents and anxiety.

Supervising the Security Services Provider

The school uses a contracted security provider.

The manager ensures:

• Guards are professional and respectful.
• Staff are trained in child safeguarding.
• Service-level agreements are met.
• CCTV incidents are properly reviewed.
• Records are maintained.

Example

If CCTV footage shows improper gate control, the manager addresses it with the security company and provides corrective guidance.

Security personnel must be:

• Calm
• Culturally sensitive
• Non-threatening
• Child-centered

Transportation Safety Oversight

School buses require strict monitoring.

The manager:

• Reviews transportation policies.
• Conducts bus inspections.
• Ensures drivers pass background checks.
• Monitors emergency communication protocols.

Rwanda Insight

Given varying road conditions and traffic behavior in different Kigali neighborhoods, regular vehicle audits are critical.

Clear communication protocols must exist for:

• Delays
• Breakdowns
• Accidents

Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management

The Safety and Security Manager:

• Develops emergency plans.
• Coordinates drills (fire, lockdown, evacuation).
• Serves on the Campus Resiliency Team.
• Liaises with local emergency services.

In Rwanda, collaboration may involve:

• Rwanda National Police
• Fire brigade services
• Local health facilities

Post-incident reviews help improve systems continuously.

Risk Assessment for Events and Trips

The school organizes:

• Field trips
• International trips
• Service learning activities
• Extracurricular events

The manager:

• Conducts risk assessments.
• Advises educators.
• Balances safety with experiential learning.

In IB schools, risk is not eliminated — it is managed intelligently.

Training and Community Awareness

The role includes:

• Staff safety training
• Security personnel training
• Parent communication
• Student awareness programs

The goal is calm confidence — not fear.

Policy Development and Compliance

The manager:

• Develops safety policies.
• Aligns them with Rwandan regulations.
• Incorporates international best practices.
• Maintains documentation of drills and incidents.

Documentation is essential for accountability and audits.

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

This role contributes to:

• Strategic campus planning.
• Safety system upgrades.
• Data-driven improvements.
• Reporting to senior leadership.

This is executive-level operational leadership.

Required Qualifications Explained

Bachelor’s Degree In:

• Safety Management
• Security Management
• Public Administration
• Related field

Experience Requirement

• Minimum 5 years in safety, security, or risk management.

This indicates a mid-to-senior level professional role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Health and safety certification
• Emergency management training
• Safeguarding certification
• Experience in multicultural environments

International school experience is a strong advantage.

Key Skills That Matter

Commitment to Learner Wellbeing

This is not corporate security.
It is child-centered protection.

Calm Decision-Making

Emergencies require emotional control.

 Intercultural Competence

Green Hills Academy serves diverse families. Sensitivity is critical.

Ethical Leadership

Confidentiality and discretion are essential.

 Balancing Safety with Trust

Over-policing can harm school culture.
The manager must create safety without fear.

How to Prepare for the Interview

 Understand School Safety Philosophy

Research:

• IB philosophy
• Child safeguarding frameworks
• International school risk models

 Prepare Real Scenarios

Be ready to explain:

• How you handled a crisis
• How to conduct a risk assessment
• How did you improve a safety system

Demonstrate Leadership

Interviewers may assess:

• Communication skills
• Ethical reasoning
• Strategic thinking

Understand Rwanda’s Safety Landscape

Know local:

• Emergency response structures
• Regulatory compliance requirements
• Security challenges in school environments

Career Growth Opportunities

This role can lead to:

• Director of Operations
• Regional School Safety Consultant
• Risk Management Director
• International School Leadership Roles

With additional certifications in:

• Crisis Management
• Safeguarding
• Occupational Health & Safety

You can expand into regional or international education networks.

How to Apply

Submit:

• Brief cover letter
• Detailed CV
• Copies of degrees
• Names and contacts of three recent referees (direct supervisors)

Send to:

humanresources@greenhillsacademy.rw

Deadline: Friday, 13 March 2026 – 5:00 p.m.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is this role operational or strategic?

Both. It involves hands-on oversight and strategic planning.

2. Is school experience mandatory?

Not mandatory, but highly advantageous.

3. Is this suitable for military or police background professionals?

Yes, if combined with child-centered and educational understanding.

4. Does this role involve direct student interaction?

Yes, indirectly through supervision systems and safety culture.

5. Is certification required?

Not required but strongly preferred.

If you:

• Have 5+ years of safety experience
• Can lead calmly under pressure
• Believe safety enables learning
• Understand both structure and empathy

Then this opportunity at Green Hills Academy could define your leadership journey.

In Rwanda’s growing international education sector, safety leadership is not optional — it is foundational.

Apply before 13 March 2026 and take the next step toward impactful, mission-driven security leadership.