Regional Security Advisor - Peace and Security Cluster (ICS-11)

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) within the Global Portfolio Services Office is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

One of the main objectives of the Peace and Security Cluster is to rapidly deploy project personnel to the field. To accomplish this, it has established a Pool of Experts, from which it deploys and re-deploys personnel in order to fulfil personnel vacancies.  A Pool of Experts is a roster of specialists whose technical knowledge and personal suitability has been evaluated and approved in advance, allowing them to be deployed on short notice and in short order.   Pool members can be deployed on any of UNOPS contract modalities: FTA, TA, or I-ICA (International Individual Contractor Agreement).

• Act as the primary focal point for strategic security issues within the defined area of responsibility.
• On a Regional level, develop and maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the mine action operational environment scope and scale of operations, and of the planning and conduct of tasks and activities at the national level.
• In close coordination with the respective Project Managers and the respective country Field Safety Advisors, assist in the planning and advice on all security and safety matters, this should include advice to staff on training and security policies and guidelines.
• Provide regional security analysis and reports and disseminate these to the Chief of Programme and Project Managers as necessary.
• Analyze security factors and levels of risk related to staff and dependents in the countries of the region as well as security of the organization’s assets and property through frequent security missions to all duty stations and make written recommendations for improvements in both physical safety and operational security.   Follow up on these recommendations to ensure their implementation.
• Report security matters directly to the Chief of Programme and as necessary the respective Project Managers.
• Maintaining continual liaison with UNDSS, Host Governments and other actors in the region to promote UN Security Management System policies and procedures in all UNMAS operations through regular inter-agency consultations, networking, mutual support, and information sharing.
• Conduct regular missions to countries in the region to assist project managers to, inter alia, ensure MOSS compliance, review and revise country-specific Security Risk Assessments, review and revise UNMAS  operational plans vis-à-vis security.
• Disseminating security guidelines, policies and procedures issued by Headquarters and the monitoring of their implementation.
• Ensuring that organizational programme and security objectives are reconciled, and that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development.
• Provide security advice to Project Managers on Emergency Response and Security Plans and in an emergency situation, ensure that appropriate level of security measures to support programme delivery, staff safety and security of organization property. Develop specific security strategies and operational procedures and establish contingency plans for all countries in the region.  This should include viable medical evacuation plans.
• Advise Project Managers and Field Safety Advisers in the assessments on security of premises.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Chief of Programme.

• Leadership – Proven supervisory ability and/or technical leadership. Ability to maintain effective working relations both as a team member and team leader.
• Teamwork Skills – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Organising and Quality Orientation – Ability to manage, organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.
• Decision Making – Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills.
• Communication Skills – Strong spoken and written communication skills.
• Creativity and Innovation – Strong analytical and problem solving skills and ability to handle a range of management and coordination issues. 
• Ability to Learn – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments.
• Change Orientation - Understands the role of technology and business processes and constantly strives to better utilise these for achieving organisational / departmental goals.
• Lives and Breathes UNOPS Values – Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments.

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or a First Level University Degree (Bachelors Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience; or Military Experience (or relevant Police Experience) at the Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or Officer level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience;
• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in the sphere of international security management, law enforcement and/or military experience;
• A minimum of two years’ experience at the professional level within the UN system is a requirement;
• Experience in security management and evaluations for mine action programmes, and/or in military engineering and/or a UN/NGO context is highly desirable;
• In addition to previous UN experience, experience in security planning with a National or International Organisation(s) is highly desirable;

• Fluency in spoken and written English;

  or fluency in spoken and written French and intermediate fluency in English;

  or  fluency in spoken and written Spanish and intermediate fluency in English;

  or fluency in spoken and written Arabic and intermediate fluency in English