Field Security Advisor

Peace and Security Centre

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (PSC) 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 Centre 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 Centre Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Centre on behalf of its clients.

One of the main objectives of the Peace and Security Centre 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). 

Background – UNMAS

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) was established in 1997, by the General Assembly, and as per the UN Policy on Mine Action and Effective Coordination (A/53/496, 1998) is the established coordinator of mine action within the United Nations system. UNMAS supports the UN's vision of "a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies."

UNMAS is a unit within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates. UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of Explosive Hazard (EH) mitigation to 18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of Improvised Explosive Devices and (IED) Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM).

Background – UNMAS Iraq

UNMAS deployed an initial assessment team to Iraq in March 2015 and has since expanded to offices in both Baghdad and Erbil and supporting multiple layers of operations.

The UNMAS Iraq programme (“UNMAS Iraq”) was formally established in June 2015, at the request of the UN Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq, to lead the UN efforts to mitigate explosive threats in the country, as well as to support the enhancement of national and regional mine action capacities.

The presence of explosive hazards and explosive contamination in areas ‘retaken’ from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) occupation in Iraq continued to impede security and stability efforts across Iraq. UNMAS has implemented a comprehensive response to address the problem of explosive remnants of war (ERW) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in areas newly retaken from ISIL occupation. Iraq is heavily contaminated with large volumes of recorded and unquantified ERW through protracted ground fighting and aerial bombing.

• Prepare an annual security work plan including budget for all aspects of UNMAS Iraq security including full MOSS / RSM compliance and training needs;
• Make substantive safety and security recommendations in line with UN and industry best practice enabling programme implementation without compromising personnel safety and security;
• In line with UN Security Management System (UNSMS) methodology, develop as required security risk assessments outlining potential threats, their risks levels and recommended mitigation strategies regards project implementation taking into consideration relevant and existing assessments;
• Review the UNMAS Iraq Business Continuity Plan and revise/update as needed;
• Review security arrangements for all UNMAS Iraq offices in the country and maintain copies of all relevant instructions such as security and evacuation plans and telephone trees;
• Maintain accurate multi-sourced country files on current and projected security issues (assessments, security plans, etc.) and brief necessary staff across the programme when required;
• Ensure that all personnel receive briefings upon initial arrival, local and UNMAS required security and medical training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security;
• Maintain up-to-date instructions for personnel of the on precautions they should take in relation to the implementation of the security plan, including comprehensive listing of emergency supplies they should have on hand and guidance on action taken during emergencies, including natural disasters and political crises;
• Ensure personnel adherence and compliance to the various UNSMS advisories, in particular compliance with directions related to minimum operating security standards (MOSS),  residential security standards (RSM), travel;
• Ensure that the fleet of vehicles is MOSS compliant and equipped as required;
• Plan, manage and monitor own (UNMAS) supported Personal Security Detail (PSD) convoy movement to high risk areas;
• Conduct Security Risk Assessments (SRA’s) for missions, to respond to changes in the security environment and discuss the SRA with the Senior Programme Manager (SPM);
• Conduct regular inspections of all UNMAS office premises to ensure compliance to Compound-MOSS requirements;
• Ensure that Mission Security Clearance Requests (MSCRs) are prepared, submitted and processed in a timely and accurate manner;
• Provide heightened security awareness training to staff, beyond the required security and emergency procedures, if necessary;
• Ensure, by supervising the process, that timely submissions of staff travel security clearance requests is carried out;
• Ensure that fire safety arrangements (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, etc.) are present and functioning in all UNMAS Iraq premises;
• Perform security assessments, both routine and exceptional, as required, to ensure optimal safety standards are in place for staff traveling across the area of operation;
• Acts as the UNMAS focal point for networking with other sources for security related information and compiles, processes and disseminates information within UNMAS Iraq as determined by the Senior Programme Manager (SPM);
• Define, manage and account for the use of security equipment including communications equipment;
• Immediate reporting of all security-related incidents involving personnel to the Senior Programme Manager, UNDSS and UNOPS Chief of Security where appropriate;
• Carry out other assigned tasks as required and/or directed by the SPM. 

Education and Years of relevant experience:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social or Political Science, Law, Public Administration, Business Management or Security Management  or any other related field with 5 years of experience or
• First level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in Social or Political Science, Law, Public Administration, Business Management or Security Management  or any other related field with 7 years of experience or
• Military /Police training with 11 years of relevant experience

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years relevant security management experience in a senior command or leadership role is required
• Demonstrated experience and exposure in the international security arena dealing with security-related issues is required
• Computer literacy is required
• Experience with the United Nations Security Management System is desired
• Experience operating as a security officer in Iraq or the region is desired
• Experience in developing standing operating procedures/Security Risk Assessments/Security Plans in accordance with UNDSS methodology is desired

Language:

• Fluency in English (reading, speaking and writing) is required
• Knowledge of Arabic is highly desired
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.