Security Associate

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.

Background – UNMAS Iraq

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). 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).

The UNMAS Iraq programme 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. UNMAS is supporting multiple layers of operations under the UNMAS Iraq Strategic Plan which focuses on three main components:  1. Explosive Hazard Management; 2. Capacity Enhancement, and 3. Risk Education.

Under the direct supervision of the Secuirty Officer (SO), the Security Associate (SA) is responsible for the following assigned tasks:

• Assists SO in collecting, updating and communicating information regarding the security situation in the country;
• Assists in maintaining the Security Plan, including updating staff lists;
• Supports the SO with the assessment of Minimum Operational Security Standards (MOSS) for the duty station;
• Assists in reporting online security incidents affecting UN staff, offices and assets;
• Assists in ensuring residential (Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards – MORSS) and office safety, and security preparedness;
• Assists in preparing country Security Risk Assessment (SRA), Premises Security Surveys, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP);
• Provides general administrative assistance to the SO.
• Maintains a statistical database of all security incidents in the country and analytical charts;
• Maintains a database on contact details in relation to host country security authorities;
• Helps to assess the security situation at the duty station and ensures adequate gathering and verification of security information that may be required for a proper analysis of the situation by the SO;
• Maintains regular contacts with Security Focal Points of UN agencies;
• Provides support in organizing and conducting training courses on security awareness and preparedness, and providing security orientation to newly assigned staff members. Conducts security briefings, as required;
• Assists the SO in leading daily missions inside and outside Baghdad to various venues and to the UNMAS operations in Fallujah, Ramadi and any other areas as required;
• Assists the SO in managing the drivers and operational vehicle in there daily tasks; 
• Assists the SO in managing the UNMAS Operations room and monitoring of mission in the field and UNMAS facilities;
• Maintains routine and confidential correspondence files/documents;
• Performs other security-related tasks assigned by the SO.

• Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Legal Studies, Politics, Public Administration, Social Administration, Social Policy or any other relevant field with one (1) year of relevant experience OR
• First level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in Legal Studies, Politics, Public Administration, Social Administration, Social Policy or any other relevant field with three (3) of relevant experience OR
• Secondary school diploma (High School or equivalent) in any relevant field with seven (7) years of relevant experience.

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in security related field of work, preferably in military, police context or security field work
• Within minimum experience at least two (2) years of experience in driving B6 armored vehicles on mission is required
• A valid Driver's License is required
• Experience in working as a Personal Security Details (PSD) is highly desired
• Knowledge of HF and VHF radio operations is desired
• Knowledge of host country safety codes is desired
• Prior experience with the UN system or an international NGO is desired
• Knowlegde of the UN security system is desired
• Experience in diplomatic security, protection and intelligence is desired
• Security or Personal Security Details (PSD) training is desired

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

• This is a local position, therefore only nationals of Iraq will be considered
• 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.