National Security Officer

The duties and responsibilities of the National Security Officer (NSO) 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 primary objective of the deployment of the UNDP NSO is to advise on 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:

• Advising that UNDP security support feature 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.

At the Field Level, the NSO will be supervised by the Country Director (CD), who will serve as the primary supervisor.

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

At Headquarters level, UNDP BMS/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.

Programming:

• Provide security policy guidance and security management support to the Country Director (CD) and CO management team to enable effective programme planning, implementation and delivery within the framework of all UN security policies and procedures;
• Ensure the mainstreaming of security into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects and programmes providing innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions where required, with the guidance of the DRSA. Serves as permanent member of project appraisal committee (PAC);
• Review the 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 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 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;
• Assist/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;
• Assist/provide inputs to the Security Management Team through the UNDP Country Director (CD);
• Assist local UNDP travel managers with risk assessments related to air travel.

Security Plan and Business Continuity:

• Ensure 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);
• Ensure 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 DRSA;
• Facilitate security clearances for all UNDP staff covered under the security umbrella when travelling in areas where required.

Minimum Operating Security Standards:

• Oversight of UNDP personnel and equipment for MOSS compliance;
• Ensure that Country Office management is briefed sufficiently on security requirements in order to take decisions and provide adequate resources so that staff members are provided with; and proficient in the 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, etc.);
• 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;
• In coordination with UNDSS, and on behalf of the CD, ensure appropriate professional liaison with local authorities responsible for security, law and order, counterparts in diplomatic missions and municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders.

Information Management:

• Provide timely and accurate security advice 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, maintain updated UNDP staff lists, 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;
• Formulate and manage the annual work plan and related budget, initiates 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;
• Ensure that UNDP premises and international staff residences are MOSS and MORSS compliant.

General:

• The NSO will, in consultation with the RSA/DRSA, respond to requests from the DO/DSS, to perform UN system related security tasks;
• Any other security related tasks assigned by the RSADRSA (or FSS, if present).

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.

Professionalism:

• An ability to work in a calm, competent and committed manner; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Respect for Diversity:

• An ability to work effectively, respectfully, and inclusively with people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives.

Core Competencies:

Communications:

• Clearly and effectively speaks and writes, tailoring language, tone style and format to different audiences; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; 

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.

Planning & Organizing:

Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusting priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.

Accountability:

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

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.

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Demonstrates resourcefulness by finding new solutions to address operational or strategic problems.

Commitment to Learning:

• Keeps abreast of new occupational/professional developments; Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; Provides constructive security advisory, training, coaching and feedback for others.

Managerial Competencies:

Vision:

• Clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. 

Leadership:

• Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support.

Empowering Others:

• Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Building Trust:

• Operates with transparency; Places confidence in colleagues, staff members and clients; Treats sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Judgment/Decision Making:

• Identifies key issues in complex situations; Considers potential positive and negative impacts of decisions on others and on the Organization; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. 

Education:

• University Degree (Bachelors’ Degree or Equivalent), preferably in social sciences, management, or a related security field, or formal multi-year education in Security Management, such as military or police, Junior Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full time) qualification with command experience;
• Formal training in security risk management an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of relevant security and development related experience (2 years if applicant is in possession of an Advanced University Degree in a relevant security field). Formal multi-year education in Security Management, such as military or police senior Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months’ full time) qualification, with command experience at senior level, is considered equivalent to an Advanced University Degree;
• Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset;
• In-depth knowledge of security management and risk management;
• Knowledge of UN/DP business, operations and programming cycle an advantage. Knowledge of UN/DP Country Office structure; roles and responsibilities of the Resident Coordinator, CD, DO, SMT, UNDSS and UN Security Management System.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic is required.

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS 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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