Close Protection Officer

Job description: Close Protection officer

Location: Johannesburg

An Armed Close Protection Officer (CPO), often referred to as an armed bodyguard, is a highly trained security professional responsible for the safety and security of high-profile individuals, such as executives, celebrities, politicians, or high-net-worth individuals, and their families. They work in both public and private spaces, often in high-risk environments, to prevent attacks, kidnappings, and harassment”.

Core Responsibilities

• Close Personal Protection: Maintaining a close, often discreet, presence to shield the principal from physical harm.
• Armed Defense: Utilizing, carrying, and maintaining authorized firearms (handguns, rifles, shotguns) to protect the client if necessary.
• Risk & Threat Assessment: Conducting comprehensive security surveys and threat analyses to identify vulnerabilities in routines, locations, and travel.
• Advance Planning & Reconnaissance: Scouting locations (restaurants, venues, hotels) before the client’s arrival to check entry/exit points, emergency routes, and security measures.
• Secure Transportation & Driving: Acting as a security chauffeur, including defensive and evasive driving techniques to safely navigate, transport, and, if needed, extract the client from danger.
• Surveillance & Counter-Surveillance: Monitoring for potential threats, identifying surveillance efforts by hostile parties, and maintaining 360-degree situational awareness.
• Access Control: Controlling access to the client, vetting visitors, and securing residential or office environments.
• Emergency Response: Providing immediate, professional response to incidents, including medical emergencies (First Aid/CPR) or physical attacks.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Licensing & Certification: Valid armed security license or permit, along with valid firearm competency for business purposes.
• Experience: Prior experience in law enforcement, military, or specialized private security.
• Physical Fitness: High level of physical strength, endurance, and agility to handle 12–16 hour shifts and potential physical altercations.
• Technical Proficiency: Competence in using security technology, including radio equipment, GPS, metal detectors, and CCTV.
• Soft Skills: Calmness under pressure, exceptional attention to detail, discretion, high level of professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Driving: Valid, clean driver’s license, with advanced or defensive driving certifications (e.g., RoSPA/IAM) often preferred.

Working Conditions

• High-Pressure Environment: The job requires being on high alert, making split-second, life-saving decisions.
• Irregular Hours: Rarely a 9-5 job, involving long hours, frequent travel, and extended periods away from home.
• Discretion: The ability to blend into the background, operating quietly rather than drawing attention.

The member will be required to be PSIRA registered have a valid PSIRA certificate and valid SA Driving licence.

We reserve the right not to make an appointment to any advertised position. Whilst preference is always given to existing employees the choice made is purely on merit, historically disadvantaged candidates and black female candidates are encouraged and supported in the FSG team. Whilst black female candidates will be given priority as per our transformation policy subject to the above criteria.

Fidelity Services Group (Pty) Ltd supports global fair practice and business ethics on continuous development of our human capital as the key resource to our success in the markets in which we participate.

Should you not be contacted regarding this position within 10 working days from the closing date, please regard your application as unsuccessful