Field Security Officer

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

D

Non Family with Residential Location

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR3

Professional

* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-10-13

November 9, 2023

Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Field Security Officer reports to the manager, who may be, according to context, the Representative/Chief of Mission or Head of Office within a country operation, the Senior Field Security Officer; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; the Chief, Security Operations Section at Headquarters, or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.
The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security, providing sound, well- reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.
The incumbent may directly supervise security personnel at the international or national level. The incumbent may, depending on the context, be expected to monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.
The Field Security Officer may, depending on the context, be expected to travel on mission to multiple duty stations to provide advice and support to the local manager as agreed in mission terms of reference.

All UNHCR personnel are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, personnel are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Advise and support the manager on all aspects of security risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness with regard to maintaining the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, operations, and facilities.
- Undertake security risk assessments/ ad hoc Security Risk Managements (SRM) analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
- Participate in the development or update of the SRM process for designated areas.
- Evaluate existing Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement. Follow up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements.
- Monitor compliance with standards established through the Security Risk Management process.
- Ensure gender considerations are included in the SRM processes and that SRMMs are appropriate. At a minimum these must include security briefings, travel advisories and the development and update of the Aide Memoire for Response to Gender-Based Security Incidents
- Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contributing to the UNSMS plans and planning for relocation/evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies test plans in exercises or drills. to ensure that personnel are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them effectively in an emergency.
- Ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
- Coordinate and assist in management of critical incidents and post-incident processes reporting to manager, regional security coordinator and FSS.
- Participate in and support activities to advise on Programme Criticality assessment process.
- As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
- Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including Host Government law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders to ensure effective information sharing.
- Maintain and enhance lines of communication with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UNSMS Security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood. Actively contribute to the Security cell and support the UNSMS.
- Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens.
- Provide country-relevant, security advice and training which is gender inclusive to UNHCR personnel, and where feasible to staff of NGOs and Partners in areas In line with UNSMS and UNHCR standards. Coordinate training with security management training unit of the global learning development centre.
- Prepare periodic analytical reports on security issues in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and as relevant the regional Senior Security Coordinator and FSS.
- Maintain linkages with the Psychosocial Well Being Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
- Undertake other security-related functions or responsibilities as delegated by the supervisor.
- Assist in building the capacity of national field security personnel by providing mentoring, on the coaching and other forms of guidance.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Security; Security Management; Business Administration;
Political Science; Social Science; International Relations;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Security Management,

Security Risk Management,

Security and Safety certification,
WSAT ToT

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable
Proven competences in security analysis. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working within or with humanitarian NGOs. Experience in implementing gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes.
Relevant training (first aid, WSAT, SSAFE, presentation skills, training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience of effectively handling gender-based security incidents.
Experience of delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills
*FS-Security Risk Management
*FS-Field Security Operations
*FS-Security Planning
*FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management
FS-Security Analysis
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The desired candidate must have experience with UN/UNHCR and UN management systems and must demonstrate a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of security management. Must have the ability to work with partners. Must be keen to monitoring the security sector component of the office and have good reporting skills.

French

,

,

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The DRC hosts 519,819 refugees, including 200,000 Rwandans & 40,000 Burundians. Of the 5million IDPs, North & South Kivu host some 3m. The SO Goma comprises 5 offices. North Kivu is host to refugees & IDPs and their hosts; returnees; and populations at risk of statelessness, many of whom have similar needs. The directions provided by the Global Compact and the CRRF, the WHS and the nexus approach are important in an environment where emergency needs are expected to continue, and where local actors lead responses. The DRC President announced a state of siege in North Kivu and Ituri provinces on 6 May, and appointed Military Governors in both provinces. Since then, State of Siege has been extended several times by the Parliament. Operations have commenced but insecurity continues. Indeed, armed incidents involving ADF are reported almost daily in North-Kivu, while incidents involving Mai-Mai militias continue to affect both Provinces, causing the death of civilians and destruction of houses, as well as insecurity on roads used for humanitarian access. The security situation in Grand Nord territories is deteriorated following the movement of ADF into previously untouched territory in the case of FARDC operations. DDR programming is slowed by a number of factors. In addition, the recent volcanic eruption of Nyiragongo, forced the populations of Goma to flee temporarily; the Military Government has taken an active hand in coordinating the response. The FSA will be based in Goma with supervision of Goma town, Petit Nord (Nyiragongo, Rutshuru, Masisi and Walikale territories), Beni town and Grand Nord (Butembo and Lubero territories). She will be assisted by SAFSA in Goma and AFSA in Beni. The role requires experience: ' Advancing operations in increasingly fragile security environments; ' Work in areas where security is at times determined by armed militia; ' Collaboration with AFPs in a UN Mission context where DSS is integrated into the mission architecture; ' Providing and contributing to changing analysis on security and criminality and on the appropriate mitigating measures; ' Working closely with protection monitoring and other non-security actors on 'community acceptance ' analysis and subsequent discussions with other UN Entities as to the impact on mitigating measures.

Living and Working Conditions:

Goma is the capital of North Kivu province, bordering Rwanda, est pop: 1 million. Goma is an important gateway to eastern DRC, but remains isolated from other DRC cities due to poor road infrastructure. Boat are used extensively to commute with other towns bordering the Kivu lake. The city sits on the Nyiragongo volcano, which erupted in May 2021, an event which together with the earthquakes that followed forced the evacuation of a portion of the town. The volcano remains active; the previous eruption was in 2002. Staff reside in private accommodation. Medical facilities are equipped to deal with moderate medical cases. Air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life threatening emergencies during daytime. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. The climate is classified as tropical wet and dry, although temperate as the city sits at altitude. There are banking facilities in Goma. There is an acceptable access to communication means, such as internet, telephone sim cards etc.. Despite all the security measures, UN staff remains at risk due to rampant and persistent criminality fuelled by economic hardship, ill-paid police and military personnel, and presence of armed groups. Staff members are exposed to house break-ins, ambushes, car-jacking, and violent crimes. Strict adherence to security measures will be advised to all staffs in order to preserve them from being victims of serious security incidents and enable a smooth and secure conduct of UN operations. A government imposed curfew of 10pm is in place. Goma is currently a security level 3 duty station. The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller 's checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels and some supermarkets in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), it is recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and payments will be processed in cash. In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FO-Complex field emergency operations, FS-Blast Assessment/Blast Mitigation, FS-National Security Forces, FS-Security Analysis, FS-Security Risk Management, MD-First Aid Training, MG-Office Management, PR-Country Operations applying the Cluster Approach, RM-Risk Management, TR-Training - Virtual and face to face

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Military, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Police Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science

Certifications

Safety and Security - Other, Security Management Learning Program - Other, Security Risk Management - Other

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B - October 2023

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance