National Security Officer

The duties and responsibilities of the National Security Officer (NSO) in India Country Office include the safety and security of all UNDP staff, eligible dependants, eligible partners and contractors, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects in addition to promoting, enabling and supporting UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility while ensuring compliance with all United Nations security policies, procedures and regulations.

The post is expected to provide security support and services towards ensuring safety in the UN House premises, coordinate with inhouse agencies for day to day security related operational activities and support major events and executive protection for visiting dignitaries.

The primary objective of the deployment of the UNDP NSO is to provide support for the protection of, and minimizing the risk to, UNDP staff, eligible dependants, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility. This will be achieved through: 

Providing UNDP security support in the programming process at the country office level as well as in the case of each individual project, from project identification, planning, budgeting, implementation and right through to monitoring and evaluation; Strengthening the security arrangements of UNDP and maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel.

In terms of functional matters related to UNDP security, the NSO will report to the UNDP Security Office through the Sub Regional Security Advisor, who will serve as the secondary supervisor. 

At Headquarters level, UNDP BOM/Security Office (SO) will, through the Regional Security Office, provide policy and technical advice to the UNDP NSO regarding the safety and security of UNDP staff, eligible dependants, property and operations within the context of UNDP’s development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UNDSS’s mandate and role, and working within the UN and UNDP security policy and framework.

At the Country Office level including states, the NSO will be supervised by the Operation Manager, who will serve as the primary supervisor. In rare instances where a Field Security Specialist is also present in the duty station, the NSO will report to them.  

Summary of Key Functions:

• Security assessment in Programme
• Threat and Risk Assessment
• Security Plan and Business Continuity
• Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS)
• Information Management
• Funds Management
• Office and Residential Security
• Security automation system assessment

Security Assessment in Programme

• Provide security policy guidance through the UNDSS to the Country Office (CO) management team to enable effective programme planning, implementation and delivery within the framework of all UN security policies and procedures.
• Support the review of potential impact of current as well as future potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery, as well as the possible impact that programme design might have on the stability and security, ensuring that possible support needs are identified, and improvements are implemented.
• Liaise and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority.
• To support UNDP to protect and minimize the risk to UNDP staff, project personnel, property and    operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout;
• Maintain a security network of international and national security personnel;
• Participate as a member of the security cell established by DSS in country.

Threat and Risk Assessment:

• Conduct a threat and risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented, identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Provide inputs to UNDSS in preparing a comprehensive threat and risk assessment of the country to include all locations where UNDP staffs, dependants and equipment are present.
• Provide inputs to the Security Management Team on policy guidance related to air travel.

Security Plan and Business Continuity:

• Support the Security Focal Point in ensuring that UNDP procedures conform to the UN Security Framework.
• Provide inputs and assist UNDSS to establish, maintain and update the country specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Field Security Handbook (FSH). 
• Support the Security Focal Point in ensuring that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective duty stations, (including all UNDP offices housing staff covered under the security umbrella) to be prepared by UNDSS.
• Update the UNDP component within the country-specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with UNDSS.
• Train UNDP wardens and follow up according to their specific needs for both international and national staff.
• Provide security related contributions to the CO Business Continuity Plan, with guidance from the SRSA.
• Ensure all staff covered under the security umbrella have appropriate security clearances when travelling in security phase areas.

Minimum Operating Security Standards:

• Oversight of UNDP personnel and equipment for MOSS compliance.
• Support the provision of and training in the proficient use of, safety and security equipment, including communications equipment, vehicle emergency equipment and personal security safeguards required for work in the field.
• Establish internal communication systems so that UNDP communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System.
• Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security (vehicles, telecommunications equipment, CCTV and access control systems)
• Provide advice on the security of transportation and logistics.
• Provide orientation and training to international and national staff members on security guidelines, communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and existing restrictions in movement, such as curfews, restricted and dangerous areas.
• Coordinate with DSS 24-hour response to all security related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents. 

Information Management:

• Provide timely and accurate security advice, with guidance from the SRSA, to the UNDP Management, programme managers, project managers and visiting consultants.
• Immediately report all security-related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents to the Country Director, RSA (or FSS, if present in the duty station) and UNDSS in country.
• Ensure that UNDP programme staff members are provided with situation reports and other appropriate security-related information generated by UNDSS in a timely and efficient manner.
• In cooperation with the HR unit, ensure the UNDP staff lists are maintained, including details of visiting missions and consultants.  
• In coordination with UNDSS in country, establish good relationships with national law enforcement, military and civil intelligence authorities, counterparts in the Diplomatic Missions and municipal/civic/traditional leaders.
• Encourage an exchange of information relative to risk management for UNDP programme implementation.
• In coordination with UNDSS in country, conduct investigations of death of a staff/family member under suspicious and unclear circumstances.
• Participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts. 

Funds Management:

• Support mainstreaming of security costs. Monitors that all projects/programmes contribute resources to implementation of security measures.
• With the guidance of the SRSA, formulate and manage the annual work plan and related budget. Initiate budget revisions for approval from the DRSA.
• Monitor that allotted UNMSM funds are budgeted in ATLAS in a timely fashion.
• Ensure that costs and expenditures remain within budgeted and approved limits through the monitoring of monthly ATLAS budget reports.

Office and Residential Security:

• Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and provide advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended mitigation measures.
• Assist UNDP in implementing office security requirements for regional offices and offices of UNDP-implemented projects as required by MOSS and the local security environment.
• Establish and implement access control mechanisms (visitor/vehicle screening) as necessary for UNDP and project offices based on the local security climate.
• Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations.
• Support UNDP in ensuring that premises and international staff residences are MOSS and MORSS compliant.

Security automation system

• Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security (vehicles, telecommunications equipment, CCTV and access control systems)
• Provide analysis gap assessment, obtain the necessary approvals and feedback from various stakeholders (in house Agencies, regional centres, Headquarters, UNDSS, etc), allocation of budget from UNMSMN funds, liaise with Procurement to oversee the procurement process, advisory and monitoring at the installation stage and contract management (including maintenance of Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) 
• The NSO will, in consultation with the SRSA, respond to requests from the DO/DSS, to perform UN system related security tasks. 
• Any other security related tasks assigned by the DCD Ops or SRSA.

Impact of Results:

The NSO’s priority of support and advice should focus on Country Office and UNDP programmes and operations in high-risk areas. It is only through a rigorous support of policy understanding, risk mitigations and where necessary security training will the application of security management be fully implemented. NSO security support to the Security Office and country programmes will ensure continuous facilitation of safety and security of UNDP staff, enabling safe UNDP programme delivery and activities within the context of UNDP's development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UNDSS' mandate, and working within the UN and UNDP security policy and framework.

More specifically, the NSO is to protect and minimize the risk to UNDP staff, project personnel, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the duty station through:

Ensuring the UNDP security support is included in all aspects of the programming process at country office level as well as throughout individual project life cycles, from project identification, planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and project closure.

• Strengthening the security arrangements of UNDP offices, sub-offices, and guesthouses.
• Maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel.
• Participating as a member of the security cell as established by the UNDSS in country.

Core Values:
 

Integrity – An ability to work honestly, openly, impartially and in accordance with the values of the United Nations.

 Accountability – Adheres to organizational rules, regulations and standards; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards.

Respect for Diversity – An ability to work effectively, respectfully, and inclusively with people from diverse backgrounds and with different perspectives. 

Competencies: 

Teamwork – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise and is willing to learn from others.

Client Orientation – Provides services, support, advice, guidance to internal or external clients, and seeks to see things from their points of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect.

Professionalism - Excellent knowledge of security management combined with background of security specialization and some political and social knowledge of country of assignment; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of operations; ability to effectively deal with stress factor when encountered in security management; good technical skills to understand and consolidate the varying specializations such as electronics, communications, mechanics, and other devices encountered in security system management.

Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailor’s language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Planning & Organizing - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education:

• Master’s degree business administration, political/social science or international relations or related field, preferably with focus on security management; formal training in security risk management an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant security experience is required.
• Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset.
• Knowledge of security management and risk management.  

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and the language spoken in the duty station is required.

Remuneration package is Rs. 1,44,204/- per month (taxable).  UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance to its employees.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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