Senior Field Safety Adviser (FLD)

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Senior Field Safety Adviser

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
    
The post of Senior Field Safety Adviser takes on the role of leading, coordinating and supervising all activities related to security issues within a country or operation.
The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and implementing partners to facilitate the operation.
The incumbent directly supervises  UNHCR Field Safety personnel within the operation, and reports to the Representative or the Deputy Representative.
The incumbent has a responsibility to monitor, coach, guide and support  staff within the given area of responsibility
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT.

Accountability

- Country operations receive practical and well-reasoned security advice and support, helping ensure an appropriate level of safety for UNHCR¿s staff and operations and compliance with security guidelines and procedures.
- UNHCR benefits from effective and responsive support from host country law enforcement agencies and the UN Security Management System.
- Staff are aware of threats/risks and how to manage 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 regular travel within the country, assess current and potential risks and provide timely and proactive analysis to support managerial decision making.  
- Provide specific recommendations regarding measures and procedures to ensure and improve the safety of UNHCR staff, operations, premises, partners and persons of concern, with specific attention to agency-specific needs such as camp security, refugee convoys and security issues related to urban refugees: provide follow-up support to ensure implementation.
- Develop plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies
- Provide regular and forward-looking analysis of the security environment, focusing on factors of risk with potential to impact UNHCR operations.
- Ensure that offices are MOSS and MORSS compliant; make sure that deficiencies are brought to the attention of management.
- In cooperation with senior management, ensure that humanitarian and security objectives are reconciled in the area of responsibility, and that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development.
- Conduct or participate in security risk assessments for UNHCR programme activities. Advise on programme criticality processes.
- 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 effective relationships with security-related actors including host government law enforcement authorities and other actors within the operating environment to ensure effective support and information sharing; provide regular feedback and analysis to country managers.
- Ensure UNHCR's effective participation in the UN Security Management System, by maintaining close co-operation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and security personnel of other UN agencies, ensure UNDSS understanding of agency requirements and contribute to development of policy and procedures to support these, cooperating in the development of security plans and procedures, and supporting UNHCR¿s role in security forums such as the Security Management Team. 
- 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 training and advice to staff and partners aimed at developing skills to plan and conduct operations safely within the specific security environment.
- Provide country-relevant security briefing, training and advice to UNHCR staff at all levels, and where appropriate, to staff of NGOs and implementing partners in all areas of field safety and security risk management.
- Provide security analysis and reports to UNHCR offices within the region of responsibility and the Field Safety Section at Headquarters according to established procedures.
- Maintain linkages with the Staff Welfare Section, and the Joint Medical Service, referring cases as required.
- Undertake other functions or responsibilities in the interest of UNHCR as appropriate and 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. 

- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) 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) at the equivalent of an advanced university degree (MA or equivalent) specifically successful  completion of the Command and General Staff at a recognized military staff college or police equivalent.
- Minimum of 8 years (9 years with undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS)) in previous job experience including 5 years security risk management experience in an international capacity.
- Fluency in English and another relevant UN language, including strong drafting skills.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
- Proven competences in security analysis.
- Negotiating skills.
- Organisation management.
- Proven training skills. 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

Before applying to this position, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific FAQs information leaflets which can be found  on the Intranet under Staff Resources > Duty of Care. The information leaflets are specifically designed to answer some of the key questions potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. 

¿ The candidate should have proven experience in field and urban security operations
¿ Knowledgeable on Security Budget planning and Progress in order to maintain an overview of security spending.
¿ Excellent familiarity with UN Policies and the UN Security Management System.
¿ Thorough familiarity with the SRM.
¿ Knowledgeable on the mitigation assets available to counter the various threats posed.
¿ Experienced in preparing and implementing the various Security/Continuity Plans.
¿ Providing formal and on-the-job training to staff and IPs as required.
¿ Good working knowledge of the Programme Criticality Matrix in order to best advise managers.
¿ Demonstrated analytical abilities, drafting and reporting skills in English.
¿ Ability to maintain oversight on all security aspects throughout Sudan.
¿ Good oral and liaison skills.
¿ Experience in helping to manage multiple crises;
¿ Ability to come up with innovative and creative solutions to operational challenges;
¿ Strong analytical skills in conducting local and regional media research.
¿ Motivational skills to enhance the FSS team effectiveness countrywide. ¿ This is a very challenging operation in which the population of concern of approximately 3.2 million or 40%+ of the population. Presently the figure is broken down to approximately 2.9 million IDPs and 263 thousand refugees.  The Darfur conflict, now 11 years old, continues to be the cause of the Sudanese IDP caseload.
¿ As a result of the South Sudan conflict since December 2013, there has been a continuous influx of South Sudanese, numbering presently, 96 thousand, mainly in White Nile State, East Darfur and Kordofans states.
¿ UNHCR continues to care for and protect 90 thousand, mainly Eritrean refugees in 10 camps, whose occupants are further threatened by the human trafficking gangs in the region. Khartoum is classified as `C¿ family duty station with Level II security. Khartoum features a desert climate (at times very hot and dusty), with only the months of July and August seeing significant precipitation.  Its average annual temperature is about 37.1 °C (99 °F). Particularly, staff with allergy may be affected by the dust. Medical and leisure facilities are limited.  It is possible to find decent houses and apartments with stable water and electricity supply. There are two international schools in Khartoum preferred by UN community which meet the language, cultural, curricula requirements. Security Level 2 pertains in Khartoum state.
Staff sensitivity to Sudanese dress code is very important.
Assigned staff needs to have completed the BSIF; BSIF2: ASIF modules and produce copies of certification.
Driving in Khartoum poses the greatest threat to staff safety and staff should avoid the use of Tuk-Tuk taxies.
Criminality is low in Khartoum but expat accommodation is being targeted. Accordingly international staff must ensure that their accommodation is MORSS compliant and guarded.
The prevailing economic state of Sudan may lead to civil unrest and violent demonstrations as occurred in September 2013.
Election results are expected near the end of April and may spark demonstrations throughout Sudan. Although English is the working language of the duty station, knowledge of Arabic is a strong asset. This will facilitate direct communication with the concerned local authorities especially on usually contentious protection related issues. The incumbent will be expected to coach and guide staff under her/his supervision therefore a pro-active mature attitude is required with previous experience of managing a large team. The candidate should also be able to perform well and remain calm in dynamic and stressful situations.
Some nationalities may face delay to get visa for Sudan

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2017 Compendium is Monday 6 November 2017 (midnight Geneva time).