Local Security Associate

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. 

Jerusalem Office – UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence

Since the opening of the Jerusalem Office in 2006, UNOPS has significantly strengthened its operations in Palestine. Our expert knowledge, skills and management systems contribute to the sustainable development of public infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank, including Area C and East Jerusalem.

In recognition of its ability to affect and lead positive change, the Jerusalem Office  has been named the UNOPS Project Management and Infrastructure Centre of Excellence.

The Jerusalem Office is the first UN office to receive the Level 4 P3M3 Maturity Model certification in project management by APMG. This certification demonstrates the well-structured, standardized and defined project management processes and methodologies applied to projects, generating the best results desired by our partners.

This achievement is part of a broader agenda to increase the Office’s impact on development projects, by improving our services and adding value to the outcomes of our partners’ works. The office has benchmarked its capabilities against international industry level standards and through this has achieved several prestigious certifications, including ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety), ISO 14001 (Environment Management) and Level 4 P3M3.

The mandate of the Office of the Quartet is to increase Palestinian economic and institutional development and empowerment, as a support towards achieving a two-state solution. In the event of a resumption of final status negotiations, the OQ would support Quartet members in their efforts to realize a successful outcome.  The following strategic principles will guide the OQ’s work (in the areas of energy, water, rule of law, movement and trade and information/communication technology as well as economic mapping), to support the parties and ensure alignment with the strategic objectives of the Quartet members and donors to the Office. The Office’s work is undertaken in keeping with the following broad guidelines:

1. Playing a catalytic role in working towards sectoral solutions in partnership with other actors, while taking on direct responsibility for specific elements of those solutions (when the office is well positioned and requested to do so). Particular attention is paid to policies and projects that have a multiplier effect – that is an outcome which extends beyond the narrow output of the policy or project; 
2. Focusing on implementation of agreements reached and announcements made by the parties, to ensure that they are translated as quickly as possible into results that have a positive impact in people’s lives; 
3. Bridging between the parties and providing creative solutions that enable progress on the ground; 
4. Maintaining the vertical depth of our work from the most granular, technical level to the strategic and political level while engaging the broad array of actors required to make progress, including the parties, members of the international community and others;
5. Ensuring complementarity of the OQ’s work with that of other key actors, including those which also play a convening role, including UNSCO, the Netherlands, Norway, the World Bank and the Local Aid Coordination Secretariat more broadly;
6. Continuing support to the Quartet Envoys, including their work to enable greater Palestinian sovereignty over its own affairs and to realize a final status agreement.

The Local Security Associate leads in the implementation of security operations and all matters relating to the management of safety and security for staff members and OQ facilities in the country or in the region of assignment.

The Local Security Associate reports to the Head of Mission (reporting can be delegated to the Chief of Staff) and is guided by the policies & guidelines of the United Nations Security Management System and will have technical line of reporting to the DO through the UNDSS Chief Security Adviser Israel, West bank and Gaza.

Duties and Responsibilities within delegated authority, the Local Security Associate is responsible for the following duties:

• Provides for the security and safety of delegates, staff, visiting dignitaries and other visitors to the Office of the Quartet;
• Provide technical advice to Chief of Staff on security related issues
• Coordinates and Liaise with UN DSS on all security related matters, insure information and security incident report sharing;
• Provide for the security of OQ facilities and all security-related equipment and installations;
• Interacts with relevant parties involved in the preparation of security engagements, including external and internal meetings & conferences, provision of support to visiting close protection missions and VIP’s;
• Serves as a representative of the Head of Mission on the works related to the Security Management Team for Israel, West Bank & Gaza (I,WB&G), contributing to preparation, implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of the security plan (including attendance of working groups aimed at the preparation of the relevant Crisis Management Plans and the Business Continuity Plans);
• Participate in Security Cell, and participate as the observer in the SMT meetings
• Prepares, monitors and maintains safety and security standard operating procedures and systems, emergency preparedness and crisis management, as well as conducts security risk assessments;
• Manages all human resources, finance, budget and logistical matters for his/her team;
• Provides standardized and specialized training for staff and security personnel;
• Liaise and coordinate with the local government security organizations’;
• Develop agency specific Security Plan based on the UN SMS plans approved for the designated area, including regularly updating staff lists;
• Identifies the needs and facilitate the procurement for necessary security equipment in line with the recommended preventive and mitigation measures based on the security risk management process;
• Identify Emergency Communications equipment needs (MISTS);
• Conduct security evaluations and providing advice on security measures for the staff and offices in coordination with UNDSS;
• Organize briefings and training courses on security issues/awareness and preparedness in coordination with DSS; Ensures the compliance with all mandatory security training;
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures for the guard force; provide necessary related guidance to the Office of the Quartet;
• Managing the day to day activities of the OQ Safety and Security Guard Force;
• Other security tasks assigned by the Chief of Staff.

Detailed and Additional Functions:

• Ensure all security arrangements are in place in case of emergency.
• Assist in the preparation office/building fire safety plans and building evacuation plans, conduct drills related to building evacuation;
  • Maintain direct contact with Chief of Staff to inform him/her of any security related incident or information.
  • Ensure all OQ security arrangements are in place under the supervision of the management.
  • Evaluate and Implement OQ access procedures, intruders’ control and pass and ID system;
  • Ensure the implementation of weapons policy.
  • Ensure the maintenance of appropriate logs and registries (such as daily handover book, visitors’ log; OQ vehicle movements, others)
  • Assist in emergency evacuation from the OQ building if needed and assist with the emergency drill exercise that will be conducted periodically each year with specified tasks for the guards.
  • Coordinate and Liaise with police and visiting security teams.
  • Assist with any building evacuation, staff marshaling and building search or clearance operation.
  • Maintain direct contact with UNDSS to inform them of any security related incident or information.

Assist in all security related requirements when requested

• Be prepared to work in shifts and double shifts if required.
• Assist with administrative related tasks if requested.
• Perform back-up transport and driving duties, as needed.
• Perform all other duties as requested by the Chief of Staff.

a) Education

• Secondary education. University Degree desirable, but it is not a requirement.

b. Work Experience

• 6 years’ experience in safety and security related, preferably in the military, police or commercial context or related field of work. Prior experience with the UN system or an international NGO is desirable.

c. Languages

-       Fluency in both written and oral English and Arabic required.

-       Working knowledge of Hebrew is required

• 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.