Senior Field Security Adviser

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 Security Adviser

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The post of Senior Field Security 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 Security 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 in compliance with standards established through the Security Risk Management process; 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 Security Service at Headquarters according to established procedures.
- Maintain linkages with the Staff Welfare Section, and 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) plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience relevant to the function including 5 years security risk management experience in an international capacity. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Also relevant would be military or police academy degree (at Officer level) at the equivalent of a Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) specifically successful completion of the Command and General Staff at a recognized military staff college or police equivalent.
- Strong drafting skills.
-       Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
- Proven competences in security analysis.
- Negotiating skills.
- Organisation management.
- Proven training skills.
-      Knowledge of additional UN languages.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR Senior Field Security Adviser positions. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates. 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 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

UNHCR mission in Libya is developing rapidly and extending its areas of operations. the selected SFSA should have expertise in the particular and dynamic area of operation (Libya). The Candidate should have a military background, preferably in the field of military security and analysis, and must possess enhanced technological skills. The possess of the UNHCR E-SAPP: Security Analysis Process & Practice should be recommended.
Libya is still a very fragmented reality with multiple actors and stakeholders, the candidate should already have the proper expertise of the Country in order to immediately assist the Staff conducting Field missions in remote and difficult areas. Due to the fact that the mission is expanding and opening different facilities, the candidate should possess the expertise to conducted physical security inspections of the new facilities and advise for implementing the security mitigating measures when required.
In addition, due to the amount of security reports produced by the Unit, the candidate should possess a great deal of independent research,  initiative, self-motivation and a wide range of skills. He should be a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail.
Due to the high volume of missions to be conducted outside the s.c. Tripoli Radius, SFSA should be ETB (Emergency Trauma Bag) trained in order to promptly assist the staff in case of needs, with great knowledge of the areas in order to grant/deny clearance for ground movement. By attending Security Cells meeting, he should possess the UNHCR Security Certification Programme ¿ SCP and Security Management Team (SMT) certificate in order to properly represent UNHCR in closely working with the Country DO. and CSA.
the incumbent will be required to prepare overviews of the security developments in Libya, including an analysis of their impact on the security and military situation in the country and the safety of UNHCR's personnel, PoCs, assets and programs.
SFSA is required to prepare the overview in form of a written document and a Power-Point Presentation that includes maps and other visual tools such as graphs, and pictures, to enhance the mission leadership's situational awareness and decision-taking. The task requires the ability to collect all-source information, including through contacts with International Community organizations, through active involvement within the UNSMS Security Cell meeting (official and unofficial meetings) and expanded network within the security community, to validate the veracity of the information, to prepare early warning notes and predictive analysis, as well as to present the findings in a user-friendly manner. Given the very dynamic environment of Libya's security and military situation, the SFSA is requested to provide analysis and evaluations on a short-term basis, such as military and security incident analysis, day-to-day updates on developments in Libya, early warning notes and predictive analysis and assessments of threats to security and takes appropriate actions to ensure safety of staff.
In addition, make security an integral part of operations. Maintain UNHCR FSU as a positive influence within the SMT- UNSMS by enabling and positively influencing decision making through strategic alliances based on sound security assessment.
Promotes an understanding of UNHCR`s concerns, objectives and priorities by providing information or expertise to interested parties, including donors.
- Sound understanding of the culture and hierarchies of relevant external organizations.
- Application of UNHCR`s mandate, policies and priorities to the development of country strategies.
- Build consensus to move work forward; identifies key players to gain support for new initiatives.
- Maintain UNHCR as key player in operational forums within the SMT - Contribute to an atmosphere of trust and confidence within the security team and with all staff (National and International); put in place the conditions needed for staff to be able to contribute their best.
- Actively delegate significant responsibility and works to develop a sense of trust and develop team members.
- Demystifies security by providing regular training or security subjects that are relevant and practical.
- Motivates team members through appropriate actions; fairly rewards achievements and efforts and gives proper credit and recognition.
- Appraises the performance of the staff honestly, fairly and consistently, respecting UNHCR guidelines on applying the appraisal process.
- Guide staff in understanding operational priorities for the period in question and agrees objectives with them which reflect these priorities.
- Make sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member.
- Use performance management processes honestly and fairly to reinforce key performance messages.
- Create an atmosphere of trust and confidence in which others can talk and act without fear of repercussion.
- Make decisions in a transparent manner.
- Gender and cultural awareness is reflected in daily work. Libya has, for generations been both a country of transit and destination. Yet, in the wake of more than seven years of conflict, political turmoil and widespread human rights violations and abuses, the magnitude of protection challenges and needs has exponentially increased. Overall in Libya, amidst a population of 6.5 million, the UN estimates that 1.1 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, of which 0.5 million are internally displaced or returnees. In addition, Libya continues to host some 50,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly Syrian, Iraqi and Palestinian nationals; as well as an estimated 700,000 migrants, predominantly from western Africa, contributing to one of the most complex mixed-migration situations in Northern Africa. Chronic human rights violations and abuses in the context of armed conflict, violence and insecurity, and disregard for the minimum standards of international humanitarian and human rights law characterize the absence of effective protection for large numbers of civilians in Libya. Forced displacement and family separation with the associated tearing of the social fabric have resulted in a high-risk environment for persons living in Libya, with children being particularly vulnerable. In addition, increased economic hardship as a result of the protracted crisis, coupled with a liquidity crisis, contributing to a collapse of the national infrastructure, social cohesion and the country¿s economy, have impaired access to safety, basic services, humanitarian aid and livelihoods, and compounded the protection risks of the population, refugees and migrants, in particular vulnerable groups. The present situation in Libya is unstable and the outlook uncertain. This creates ongoing pressures at work and in daily life as priorities are frequently upended for other urgent ad hoc tasks. The incumbent should be prepared to work under very challenging conditions and be able to manage stressful situations. The position is based at the Country Office Tripoli. In view of the volatile security situation, international staff are accommodated at a designated compound from which free movement in/around Tripoli is restricted.
Movement and travel of international staff in Libya is permitted only with armored vehicles. UNHCR mission in Libya is developing rapidly and extending its areas of operations. the selected SFSA should have expertise in the particular and dynamic area of operation (Libya). The Candidate should have a military background, preferably in the field of military security and analysis, and must possess enhanced technological skills. Arabic desirable

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).