Field Safety Advisor

UNOPS works with multiple partners including the Governments of Somalia, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes. UNOPS is particularly interested in strengthening its coordination and liaison capacity with relevant Government institutions, Government led mechanisms and emerging trust fund instruments.

• Advise the Country Director and all Project Managers on all safety and security-related matters and the possible impact on project design, implementation and funding;
• Make substantive safety and security recommendations in line with UN and industry best practice enabling project implementation without compromising UNOPS personnel safety and security;
• Develop security risk assessments outlining potential risks and recommended mitigation strategies regards project implementation taking into consideration relevant and existing assessments;
• The incumbent will act as the Single Agency Security Officer and therefore operate within the framework of the UN Security Management System and co-ordinate directly with the local UNDSS office;
• In addition to liaising with UNDSS, the incumbent will ensure that appropriate and effective coordination is maintained with other UN security officers and other regional security services so as to enhance coordination and implementation of the security arrangements across the respective Operation Centre;
• Provide support to business development with a view to creating a well-established and respected Product Line of security services to clients in Somalia;
• Report all security-related incidents across Somalia that may have an impact on UNOPS’ projects or programmes to the Country Director;
• Establish security as an integral part of Somalia’s programme and budget planning and operations, in particular for effective delivery of projects
• Prepare an annual security work plan including budget for all aspects of Somalia security including full MOSS / MORSS compliance and training needs;
• Submit monthly reports to the management on security issues and performance to the annual work plan / budget;
• Review all new project proposals from a security perspective and provide comments to ensure security concerns are addressed.  Conduct field assessments if deemed necessary;
• Brief all new personnel/project managers on security concerns specific to their projects;
• Review all aspects of convoy procedures and medical evacuations as relevant;
• Review security arrangements for all field offices in the Somalia and maintain copies of all the relevant instructions such as security and evacuation plans;
• Ensure staff adherence and compliance to the various UN security advisories as issued by the Designated Officer, in particular: compliance with directions related to security phases; warden systems; minimum operating security standards (MOSS); minimum operating residential security standards (MORSS), etc.;
• Ensuring all UNOPS personnel receive briefings upon initial arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security;
• Maintaining up-to-date instructions for personnel of the precautions they should take in relation to the implementation of security plans, including a comprehensive listing of emergency supplies they should have on hand and guidance on action taken during emergencies, including natural disasters and political crises;
• Reporting all cases in which personnel of the organization have been involved in a security incident  and submitting the required reports on such cases to the Country Director;
• Assume the leadership in case an emergency  has been declared by activating and managing UNDSS and UNOPS evacuation and extrication policies ensuring a smooth and efficient evacuation of UNOPS staff members and dependent's;
• Ensure by supervising the process, that timely submissions of staff travel security clearance requests are carried out;
• 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;
• Maintain accurate multi-sourced country files on current and projected-security issues (assessments, security plans, etc.) and brief the necessary staff across the region when required;
• Provide heightened security awareness training to staff, beyond the required security and emergency procedures, if necessary;
• Define, manage and account for the use of security equipment including communications equipment;
• Organize and carry out training and proactively develop training programmes with regard to Security Risk Assessments within the area of operation. Ensure that all personnel in Somalia are provided with security training and briefings;
• Ensure that safety and security is a core component of all programmes at the duty station and that appropriate funding is provided based on actual needs;
• Must be contactable/on call 24/7 to assist in all security issues (including traffic accidents) in relation to UNOPS projects and staff;
• Act in an advisory capacity to the Country Director on any security-related issues in Somalia;
• Carry out other assigned tasks as directed by the Country Director;
• Keep in close contact with and share information with the UNOPS Chief of Security at HQ.

• Advanced university degree in social or political science, law, public administration, business management or security management
• Bachelors degree with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may substitute for the requirement of an advanced degree
• Secondary education with additional 6 years experience in civilian police/military may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in the fields of security and/or safety.
• Experience of working in East Africa is desirable;
• Experience in Security Risk Assessment is an asset;
• Experience in Crisis Management and Evacuation Coordination is an advantage;
• Direct experience with the United Nations Security Management System is an advantage;
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures an advantage;
• Ability to produce Standard Operating Procedures/Security Plans in accordance with UNDSS methodology is an advantage;

• 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.
The UNOPS East Africa Hub is located in Nairobi, Kenya and manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established operations center in South Sudan, an office in Somalia and a portfolio of multiple transactional, procurement and infrastructure projects in Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several Atlantic and Indian Ocean island states.