Field Security Officer

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

E (most hardship)Non Family with Residential LocationDanger PayNairobi (CO), KenyaPR3Professional

* 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 AssignmentNo2023-11-07November 28, 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.

• At least 6 years experience in an international organization in field security and related roles, including in emergency/conflict settings;
• Demonstrated capacity to undertake timely and detailed security analysis and assessments;
• Familiarity with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) Framework of Accountability for Security, Security Policy Manual (SPM) and the Security Management Operations Manual (SMOM);
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional and constructive relationships with key security stakeholders from different UN agencies and armed forces/groups/factions;
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate effectively with a diverse team, as well as other internal stakeholders in other Field-Offices and the Country Office;
• Demonstrated experience managing critical incidents;
• Good knowledge of UNHCR operations both in a country office and in the field is an asset;
• Familiarity with IASC coordination architecture is an asset;
• Knowledge of English and Arabic is essential, whereas knowledge of French is an asset.Arabic

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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 operational context in Sudan changed drastically when, on 15 April 2023, armed conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The ongoing conflict is the latest development in Sudan’s stunted transition to democratic governance following the military takeover on 25 October 2021. The conflict has dramatically worsened the humanitarian conditions in Sudan, exacerbated pre-existing intercommunal and ethnic tensions, and triggered massive displacement. As of 29 October 2023, over 5.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict, including 4.2 million internally and over 1 million who fled outside the country in search of safety and security. Current interagency estimates for internal displacement are higher than the recorded IDP movements of the last four years combined, highlighting the largescale humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan and which continues to affect its neighbouring countries. The inter-agency Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Sudan estimates that the number of people in need in the country increased from 15.8 million in November 2022 to 24.7 million in May 2023, mainly because of the ongoing conflict.

Sudan has historically hosted one of the largest refugee populations in Africa. Prior to the conflict, Sudan hosted 1.1 million refugees, majority of whom resided in Khartoum State. Since the start of conflict, UNHCR and partners have been able to map the internal movement of refugees within Sudan. An estimated 187,000 have moved towards safer areas. As of end-July 2023, an estimated 963,400 refugees and asylum seekers remain in Sudan.

Despite the conflict, UNHCR remains committed to stay and deliver inside Sudan. International and national staff are present in eight locations across the country, delivering protection and assistance to the forcibly displaced population both in response to the emergency and in line with UNHCR’s regular programmes. UNHCR Representation in Sudan has continued presence in five main regions of Darfur, Kordofan, East Sudan, White Nile Kosti, Blue Nile and the Country Office, which was initially based in Khartoum, has been strategically restructured into three separate locations Port Sudan, Gedaref, Nairobi to better facilitate its oversight functions. New field offices have been established in Northern state and Jazirah state, Wadi Halfa Field office and Wad Madani Sub Office respectively.

Sudan has experienced sustained and destructive conflict since 15 April 2023, characterized by wide ranging breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL) and large scale displacement.  Darfur has been particularly negatively impacted by the escalation of conflict, which has intersected with and exacerbated pre-existing intercommunal tensions.  As a result, the already considerable humanitarian needs across Darfur have dramatically increased.  Darfur hosts approximately 1,8 million people newly displaced [340,000 in North Darfur] as a result of the ongoing conflict, alongside a significant protracted IDP caseload, often displaced multiple times over the years.  The Darfur region also hosts some 185,000 refugees [ 24,000 in North Darfur], mainly from South Sudan, Chad and CAR. They are hosted in camps and (urban) settlements in 4 out of 5 Darfur States. Conflict has impacted on their protection and assistance situation, compelling refugees to displace to safer areas or cross borders. Further displacement in Darfur is anticipated as the security context remains highly complex, volatile and dynamic. 

The Field Security Advisor provides support and advice on all security related aspects of field operations including staff, premises and asset security, and administration.  The Field Security Advisor is expected to be well versed in all aspects of the UN security management system and concept of saving lives together. As an advisor to the Head of Sub Office for Darfur operations, the incumbent is expected to enable the Head of Sub office to make objective decisions based on in-depth analysis and understanding of the operational environment in Darfur and in relation to the cross-border operation(s).  

The incumbent is supervised by the Head of Sub Office Darfur who defines work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent will work closely with the (Senior) FSA for Sudan, security staff in the 5 Darfur states, and takes an active role in the security cell for North Darfur. The incumbent also maintains regular contact on a working level on routine issues with other UNHCR staff members, security professionals from other UN agencies, NGOs, implementing partners, security forces, local authorities, armed groups and other stakeholders directly impacting on security issues in the area to facilitate the operation.

As UNHCR is currently implementing a cross-border response into West, Central and North Darfur from eastern Chad, encompassing both the cross-border movement of personnel and of aid supplies.  The incumbent will support and work closely with the cross-border security staff to ensure quality detailed and timely security analyses, enriched through collaboration between West and North Darfur’s security team, security professionals from other UN agencies participating in the interagency cross-border team. 

In the event of a stabilization of the context in North Darfur, the Field Security Advisor would be required to support or participate in security assessments of structures and premises that may be utilized by UNHCR and other UN agencies to ensure MOSS compliance.

Living and Working Conditions:

All five Darfur states were under evacuation/self-relocation status for the six months following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023.  Static UN presence has not yet been re-established in Darfur, due to the ongoing conflict.  For the above outlined reasons, the incumbent will be roving in the country at different duty stations, until access in Darfur is attained and physical presence granted, the incumbent will be providing support for the Darfur Operation remotely. When working remotely, the incumbent must ensure adequate communication and internet access at all hours in order to perform his/her duties.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

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

Add. 1 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 - Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance

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