Field Safety Adviser

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the IOM-FOM issued for this Compendium / Fast Track exercise, as well as the  Revised Policy and Procedures on Assignments (UNHCR/HCP/2015/2 refers). Field Safety Adviser

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The Field Safety Adviser takes on the role of leading, coordinating and providing appropriate guidance  related to security management within an office.
The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, implementing partners, government partners in the area to facilitate the operation.
The incumbent directly supervises general service staff in the office, and reports to the Head of Office.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- Country operations receive practical and well-reasoned security advice and support toward helping ensure an appropriate level of safety for UNHCR¿s staff and operations and compliance with security guidelines and procedures.
- UNHCR benefits from effective relationships with host country law enforcement agencies and the UN Security Management System.
- Staff are aware of threats/risks and how to respond to them, understand and comply with guidelines and procedures.
- Security management is efficient, well-coordinated and consistent with policies and procedures.

Responsibility

- Advise and support the Representative or Head of Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR staff, partners, operations, premises and refugees or persons of concern.
- Undertake periodic security assessments in close co-operation with UNHCR senior staff members and interagency partners, analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
- Evaluate existing security measures to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement.  Follow up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with Minimum Operational Safety Standards (MOSS) and Minimum Operational Residential Safety Standards (MORSS).
- Assist in the development of plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies. 
- In cooperation with UNHCR senior staff members, ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
- Participate and support in 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; provide regular feedback and analysis to country managers.
- Maintain close co-operation with staff of  the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), ensuring UNHCR's understanding of applicable requirements, cooperating in security assessments and planning and supporting UNDSS understanding of agency requirements.
- Support UNHCR staff 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 to UNHCR staff, and where appropriate, to staff of  NGOs and implementing partners in areas including, inter alia, preparation for and conduct of  road  missions, radio telecommunications  and  responding to specific threats within the environment.
- Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that staff are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency.
- Prepare periodic analytical reports on security in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and FSS.
- Maintain linkages with the Staff Welfare Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
- Undertake other security-related functions or responsibilities as delegated by the supervisor.

Authority

- Provide security-related advice, in written and oral form, to the manager and other staff
- Advise on, and upon approval, implement, needed mitigating measures.
- Participate in criticality assessments.
- Represent UNHCR in interagency working groups and attend SMT or ASMT meetings as an observer.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- University Degree with a focus on security management and/or related disciplines (business administration, political/social science, international relations). Also relevant would be military or police academy degree (at Officer level).
- Minimum 8 years of previous relevant job experience including 2 years security risk management experience in an international capacity.
- Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language.

(In offices where the working language is not English, excellent knowledge of UN working language of duty station ans working knowledge of English)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Proven competences in security analysis.
- Excellent communication skills, written and oral
- Negotiating skills
- Relevant training an asset C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 The Field Safety Adviser should possess strong analytical, communication, team-building and coordination skills; including ability to guide and coach staff under her/his supervision in national professional officer (1 staff) and general service categories (2 staff). In addition to excellent functional competencies, the FSA should also be expected to possess proven managerial skills as the incumbent supervises three staff members plus security guards contracted under Group 4 Security Services arrangement that provide security to the offices and staff guest houses as well as to manage the SPP project assuring security services in the camps and to the whole humanitarian community in the Kakuma and operation. A pro-active, mature, and performance oriented attitude are crucial to keep such a large workforce together and focused on the goals of the unit.  He/she will also be required to provide periodic refresher security trainings/drills to all staff under his/her area of responsibility, including the mandatory SSAFE training, ETB training etc. Considering the above-mentioned security related sensitivities, previous police or military background would be an asset, including ability to perform well under stress (both work and security wise). The ethnic dimension of the ongoing conflict in South Sudan has led to continued new arrival from South Sudan to Kakuma camp in Kenya. On average 300 new arrivals are registered in Kakuma camps. A proactive approach to peacebuilding activities in the camp is therefore crucial, to promote peaceful co-existence. To ensure effective response and sustainability, it is also important to empower the refugee leadership to promote self-management and conflict resolution in their communities, including efficient case management, monitoring and continued follow-up.

In June 2015, the Government of Turkana County allocated some 1,500 hectares of land for a new refugee settlement in Kalobeyei. With the influx from South Sudan since December 2013 and continued new arrivals from the Great Lakes region, the existing camp could no longer accommodate the increasing number of refugees. Land that would allow for expansion was crucial. UNHCR and the (then) Department for Refugee Affairs  agreed with the Government of Turkana that the land would be used to develop a settlement that would promote the self-reliance of refugees and host communities, by providing them with better livelihoods opportunities and enhanced service delivery. This effort is ongoing and has significantly advanced, with the support of a broad spectrum of actors, including development partners and the private sector.

The Operation endeavours to mobilize the required resources to adequately and comprehensively address the needs of the refugee populations residing in both Kakuma and Kalobeyei, towards appropriate and progressive interventions.

The Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS) is the main government counterpart. The Kakuma Sub-Office has 15 Implementing Partners (including three local NGOs) and 9 Operational Partners. The Sub-Office currently has 15international staff, 85 national staff and 80 affiliate workforce. Staff members live in accommodation provided within the Sub-Office compound. The staff are accommodated in houses with toilet and bathrooms. The houses are equipped with TV sets, 20 international and national channels and have access to good internet with large bandwidth. In addition to 1.4 km track around the compound, a gym with fitness equipments is available. Staff cafeteria offer three meals a day although most staff prefer to cook for themselves in their houses. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available in the local market. With 28 partners, Kakuma operation is sustained by large humanitarian personnel from various backgrounds and nationalities. Religious structures are available in Kakuma and accessible to staff members. Subject to funding, five flights of one and half hours connect Kakuma and Nairobi: three times a week by UNHAS and two times a week by ECHO-financed planes. In addition to these, there are regular commercial flights between Nairobi and Lodwar, a town near Kakuma. Most of the year the climate is characterized by hot and dry weather, while the rainy season may result in some flooding and bring to the surface crawling reptiles and insects.  There are limited medical facilities in Kakuma that are not equipped to deal with serious medical cases.  Evacuation opportunities are limited. Air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life-threatening emergencies, but only during the day.  Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised.  Banking facilities are available in Kakuma. Unlimited access to communication means (the internet at 50 Mbps, PAMA, mobile phones and so forth) is available.

As general advice, applicants for the post should be psychologically prepared for the aforementioned context. The Office is of the view that, all things being equal, the two year SAL should be upheld to avoid burnout. Kakuma is a Security Level 3 duty station with difficult living conditions. The Kakuma Operation is largely shaped by the security situation, which remains tense and unpredictable, with daily reports of various security incidents in the County and environs. As a consequence, staff movements are restricted. Given the environment, the incumbent should demonstrate the ability to overcome hardships, have sound security awareness and, most importantly, be able to adapt to fast-changing security situations. The incumbent should also have experience in working in stressful conditions. S/he should also be sensitive to social, cultural and religious norms. The complex nature of the Kakuma Operation requires the incumbent to receive a full orientation at the UNHCR Country Office in Kenya, to ensure that s/he takes up the function with sound knowledge of the overall strategic priorities of UNHCR Kenya, key operational issues, major pressing issues in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, and reporting requirements.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add. 3 to March 2017 Compendium is Thursday, 3 August 2017 (midnight Geneva time).