Head, Security Operations Center at Unified Payment Services Limited

Unified Payment Services Limited is a group of companies operating across banking, payment schemes, financial technology, digital commerce, value-added services, payment solutions, and software solutions.

Unified Payments is a principal member or licensed acquirer of American Express, Mastercard, Visa, and UnionPay and has contributed to the development of infrastructure supporting Nigeria’s modern payments ecosystem.

Job Overview

Unified Payment Services Limited is seeking an experienced Head, Security Operations Center to provide leadership across information security operations, cybersecurity risk management, compliance, and security governance.

The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing security risks associated with projects, technologies, applications, service providers, IT changes, and new business initiatives. The role will also support enterprise security architecture, technology selection, regulatory compliance, and the development of a strong security and risk culture.

Job Objectives

• Deliver information security risk reports and support relevant security certifications.
• Ensure business operations comply with applicable local and international certifications and standards.
• Communicate security and risk metrics to management.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to conduct project risk assessments and appraisals.
• Develop competent security professionals who can take on managerial responsibilities.
• Review operational approval requests.
• Ensure security approvals and controls adequately protect business assets.

Key Responsibilities

Information Security and Risk Management

• Conduct information security risk assessments for projects, new technologies, applications, service providers, IT changes, and new business initiatives.
• Provide subject-matter expertise on enterprise security architecture.
• Establish and promote a strong information security risk culture across the organization.
• Ensure identified risks are managed within the organization’s approved risk appetite.
• Ensure risk management processes are properly documented, implemented, and maintained.
• Ensure relevant personnel understand their security and risk management responsibilities.
• Communicate security risk metrics and reports to management.
• Participate in project risk appraisal and security-related decision-making.

Security Operations and Technology

• Participate in the selection of appropriate security technologies and tools for business operations.
• Research emerging business technologies and assess their suitability for improving business operations and security.
• Support effective information security operations and incident response within a complex organizational environment.
• Provide technical guidance on network and systems security, threat detection, and endpoint protection.

Compliance and Standards

• Ensure continuous compliance with applicable PCI requirements.
• Maintain compliance with VISA CVP requirements.
• Ensure compliance with MasterCard GVCP requirements.
• Ensure compliance with CUP PSP requirements.
• Support the organization’s adherence to applicable cybersecurity frameworks and information security standards.

Leadership and Governance

• Develop and mentor security officers and other relevant personnel.
• Build security capabilities that support succession and managerial development.
• Review security-related operational approvals to ensure adequate protection of business assets.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to strengthen cybersecurity governance and risk management practices.

Requirements and Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Security, Cybersecurity, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.

General Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of experience managing information security operations or incident response.
• Experience working within complex organizations and environments involving business and financial operations.
• Experience in IT project operations and management.
• Strong understanding of information security risk management and cybersecurity operations.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in network and systems security.
• Experience with Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS).
• Knowledge of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technologies.
• Experience with malware analysis.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF).
• Experience working with Unix/Linux and Windows operating systems.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking.

Professional Certifications

Candidates should possess relevant professional certifications such as:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
• Similar recognized information security management certifications.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal Head, Security Operations Center candidate should have extensive experience in cybersecurity operations, information security risk management, incident response, compliance, and security governance. The candidate should also demonstrate strong technical knowledge, leadership capability, risk awareness, and the ability to work effectively with stakeholders across a complex organization.

Salary and Benefits

Not Specified.

Application Closing Date

30th September 2026

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to mercy.joseph@up-ng.com using “Head, Security Operations Center” as the subject of the email.