Security Specialist (SSA)

Background:

This consultancy-based role is designed for temporary short-term assignments, to support the OSCE Security Management Framework and selected Office activities, in particular missions. 

As the main OSCE institution concerned with the human dimension of security, ODIHR is tasked, inter alia, with assisting the OSCE participating States in the implementation of their human dimension commitments (Helsinki 1992). ODIHR’s monitoring mandate is based on a number of commitments (Copenhagen 1990, Helsinki 1992, Budapest 1994, Oslo 1998, Istanbul 1999, Maastricht 2003).

Delivering its mandate, ODIHR deploys a range of missions to OSCE participating States, which require the support of security services. This includes election observation missions, monitoring of specific assemblies relating to the exercise of freedom of peaceful assembly, monitoring missions in the context of the Human Rights Monitoring Fund, and any other mandated mission undertaken by ODIHR experts with requirement of security support.

During his/her assignment, the Security Specialist follows the official line of communication while providing security expertise; both managerial and operational, depending on the mandate and terms of the mission concept and conditions of the mission commanding structure, for which they are temporarily contracted. For day-to-day operations during his/her assignment, the Consultant reports to the Head of Mission or the Head of Department, which is the subject of the conditions and mission structure, and in accordance with the of OSCE Security Management Instructions (The OSCE Security Policy dated 25/02/2020 Vienna, Austria).

Objective of Assignment: 

The objective of respective assignments is the provision of safety and security to mission members and the facilitation of ODIHR missions in line with its established procedures and methodologies.

Duration of Assignment: duration of the contract is subject to length of particular deployment / and mission assignment.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

1. Information collection and analysis:

• Collects and assesses information on the situation in the country/ region of assignment with specific attention to the safety and security of mission members and how it relates or may have an impact on the OSCE operations in the country.
• Advises the Officer in Charge (Head of Mission, Deputy Head of Mission, Programme Manager etc.) with regard to all security-related matters and develops tactics, techniques and procedures in accordance with the provisions of the OSCE Security Management System for the safe conduct of daily operations in the country of assignment.
• Assesses prevailing local security conditions, identifying security trends and advising the OSCE officials and personnel,  project personnel and dependents  on potential security problems, such as mines, kidnapping, armed attacks, arrest and detention.
• Maintains ongoing evaluation of air, land and sea evacuation routes and resources for use in emergencies, ensuring the availability of vehicles, aircraft, vessels, fuel supply and accessible roads.
• Collects general and mission-specific information regarding the security situation in the country.
• Establishes and maintains emergency communication documents, as applicable for the mission set-up.  
• Provides security advice and/or training as applicable to the mission security posture, including basic advice on residential security measures such as window guards, alarm systems and locks to minimize burglar intrusions, as applicable. 

2. Physical security:

• Accompanies staff members to the field during monitoring / assessment missions.
• Provides a protection detail for senior officials as necessary/as applicable. Manage Security Assistant and Security Guards, including certifying and evaluating the results of their work, as applicable.
• Assumes responsibility for guard force management, as applicable.
• Maintains the office security covering the mission (excluding ODIHR HQ) area by conducting physical security inspections of facilities, issuance of identity cards, if possible background checks of national staff, if demanded by the senior mission management, and entry control, as applicable in which mission the consultant is contracted, as applicable.   

3. Security planning and management:

•  Prepares draft of security plan for the assignment, designated country or geographic area, including all aspects related to elaboration, development, implementation and updating of the plan.
• Conducts regular reassessments of the security of field activities and analysis of the security situation in locations where OSCE is operating or intends to operate to enable appropriate security responses with regard to safety and security of staff in co-ordination with the OSCE Security Management and Security Officials, as applicable.  
• Serves as a member of the Areas Security Management Team (ASMT) functioning in the security area, if applicable, contributing to the implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of the security plan.
• Participates in the selection of security support staff according to the established procedures, as applicable to the type of a temporary assignment.
• Conducts security training on security management system, responsibilities of Area Co-ordinators and Wardens and personal security awareness, as applicable.

4. Communication and briefings:

• Maintains continuing lines of communication with security focal points, including the OSCE Security Management, international organisations / agencies such as United Nations agencies, European Union, etc. involved in humanitarian and other missions to ensure maximum security coordination.
• Maintains dialogue with authorities and international institutions such as the Red Cross/Red Crescent in the event of natural disasters, including the government safety authorities / officials as applicable.
• Conducts security briefings for the mission members, visitors, OSCE Officials and personnel as/ and all other persons/delegations/organizations participating in the mission activity.
• Ensures availability of emergency communications system by making periodic checks to determine if system is functioning properly; arranges for necessary repairs or adjustments.

5. Fire and Safety:

• Ensures that fire detection devices and fire-fighting equipment are available on temporary office / premises used by the OSCE during the respective mission, when applicable. Maintains fire evacuation plan and conducts fire drills and training as necessary.

6. Security Investigations:

• Conducts a preliminary investigations of security-related incidents involving the OSCE officials and personnel as applicable.

Necessary Qualifications:

• First-level university degree or an equivalent professional qualification in the field of intelligence and security management, business administration, management or law.

• Extensive experience and vocational training in the area of security management e.g. vocational security training, police or military school.

• A strong background in security operations management. Previous experience from conflict / post-conflict is desirable, which in part should have been acquired in an international organization or a mission environment, ideally within the area of elections or human rights observation activity.

• Thorough understanding of security policy, principles and practices, in particular the formulation and execution of field security plans and procedures.

• Demonstrated ability to work long/irregular hours and under pressure in a sensitive political / highly volatile or hostile environment(s).

• Good interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and ability to provide guidance to OSCE officials and personnel. 

• Demonstrated ability to work in a supervisory role and as a member of a team composed of individuals of different cultural and political backgrounds, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; knowledge of other OSCE languages is an asset.  

• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

• Ability to drive vehicles in the C category class (Armoured Vehicles) is desirable.

• Hostile Environment Training (HEAT) or similar training is an asset.   

Remuneration Package:

Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.

If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.

The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization. 

Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.

Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.