Security Officer

Organizational context

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes, and  advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural transformation.

Post's organizational accountability

Under the overall supervision of the Director, Administrative Services Division and the direct supervision of the Senior Security Officer, within delegated authority, the Security Officer supports the coordination of IFAD security operations worldwide. He/she will support the development and adaptation of existing UN/IFAD security policies, -guidelines and -standard operating procedures and represent IFAD on security issues as necessary, participating in joint activities with other UN agencies as required. The incumbent has a leadership role, both technical and supervisory.

The accountabilities/key results include supporting the Senior Security Officer in providing:

• Senior-level Security Advice
• Security Information Management, advisories and alerts
• Security Risk Management/Reporting
• Corporate Business Continuity Management Plan coordination
• Managerial and supervisory functions

Key results expected / Major functional activities

Senior-level Security Advice: 

• Advise the Senior Security Officer and the Director, Administrative Services Division on all aspects related to the safety and security of IFAD personnel, their eligible family members as well as premises, assets and operations worldwide.
• Within delegated authority advise and assist the Regional Division Directors, IFAD Representatives, Country Directors and Country Programme Managers and IFAD business units on all safety and security matters, including, but not limited to response to critical security incidents and emergencies as required.

Security Information Management, advisories and alerts:

• Ensure that the Director, Administrative Services Division and IFAD Management are kept regularly updated in a timely manner on security developments, providing briefings and reports when required; ensure that all IFAD personnel have access to and receive timely security training and updates, alerts and warnings when the security situation warrants it.

Security Risk Management/Reporting:

• Support the monitoring and  implementation of IFAD and the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) policies and procedures on safety and security in all locations worldwide where IFAD has staff and property; oversee adherence of IFAD personnel to all applicable security training requirements, policies and procedures, including but not limited to Security Risk Management and emergency security plans, promoting understanding and support for security requirements.
• Within delegated authority conduct and/or oversee regular missions to ICOs and IFAD project areas to assess prevailing local security conditions, conduct Security Risk Assessments and make recommendations aimed at improving the safety and security of staff and assets; assist programme managers to, inter alia, ensure compliance with security standards and requirements,  review and revise IFAD operational plans vis-à-vis security.
• Introduce analytical reports on changes in the security environment and threat level, draft situation reports, maintain statistics of security incidents to staff and property and ensure proper follow-up to security incidents to staff and property.

Corporate Business Continuity Management Plan coordination:

• Support the management of the Corporate Business Continuity Management Plan(s) in order to ensure the preparedness of all elements of the emergency procedures in IFAD worldwide and staff awareness in accordance with the IFAD Business Continuity Management System.

MANAGERIAL FUNCTIONS: The incumbent is typically a team leader with accountability for integrity, transparency, and equity in the management of IFAD resources. This includes People Management through recruitment, performance and career management of staff as well as learning management establishing learning plans and ensuring staff supervised meet their development needs while meeting the needs of IFAD; Resource Management by providing strategic and data inputs into the divisional budget preparation exercises; Knowledge and Content Management by ensuring (1) knowledge content within functional area is continuously updated and available to colleagues and clients (2) best practices are continuously identified, documented and distributed and (3) appropriate and up-to-date information and learning tools are available to the Fund’s managers, supervisors and staff; and Information Technology Management through leveraging ERP functionality for improved business results, simplification of transaction and reporting processes and improved client services.

The accountabilities may include:

• In close coordination with the Senior Security Officer, manage the  activities of the Security Team under his/her supervision; support budget administration and management of human resources as well as assets, contractor management and provide advice on identification and procurement of security equipment and services (vehicles, driving services, telecommunications equipment, etc.).
• Plan, coordinate deliver and/or oversee the organization of Security training , ensuring that staff, both in the field and HQ, have clearly defined roles in security management as per United Nations Framework of Accountability, and have the awareness, knowledge and skills to work in a challenging security environment with attention to their safety and security. Act as Duty Officer and conduct security drills as required.
• Perform any other related duties as required.

Impact of Key results / Key performance indicators

Recognized in the field of work internal and external to the Fund, the impact of work performed by the Security Officer at this level is innovative and the incumbent of the post is the originator of new ideas and new approaches that impact directly on the field of work within the Fund as well as indirectly on the profession within the greater scope of external partnerships.

Security Officers at this level perform work that can be characterized as authoritative and requiring expertise in their field of work; they typically function as a Team Leader or Unit Head and supervise a team of specialists and analysts in the provision of corporate level services considered as intricate in terms of the policies, rules and regulations applied. They lead one occupational specialization at the corporate level with accountability for policy, procedures and administration or for managing a range of occupations within the field of work in “one-stop” service to assigned client base.

Representation / Work relationships

Representational functions of the P-3 Security Officer primarily concern the provision of authoritative advice to IFAD's Management in the development of new or modified policies and practices within their area of specialization.  Recommendations for solutions to problems involve discussion with management, staff and other specialists.  The advice and recommendations provided are normally considered technically accurate and are provided to senior managers inside and outside the Division or Unit.  External contacts include: counterparts in Host Country Security apparatus, other United Nations organizations in order to exchange information on approaches to security services problems, etc. and inter-agency groups such as UNDSS to provide information on the Fund’s security policies and practices and negotiate the adoption of common system practices.

Work relationships are established and maintained with security counterparts including senior government, UN and IFI security officials. The outside interaction is significant but typically limited to the area of expertise.

This includes:

• Within delegated authority maintain continuous liaison with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), other Agencies Funds Programmes and Organizations (AFPOs) security actors to promote UN Security Management System policies and procedures in all IFAD operations through regular inter-agency consultations, networking, mutual support, and information sharing. Act as Alternate Security Focal Point and attend meetings of the IASMN, SAG for Italy, as and when required.

Competencies

Organizational

• Strategic thinking and organizational development: Personal influence (Level 1)
• Demonstrating Leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change (Level 2)
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Continuously seeks to learn, shares knowledge and innovates (Level 2)
• Focusing on clients: Focuses on clients (Level 2)
• Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates sound problem solving and decision making ability (Level 2)
• Managing time, resources and information: Manages own time, information and resources effectively (Level 2)
• Team Work: Contributes effectively to the team (Level 2)
• Communicating and negotiating: Communicates effectively: creates understanding between self and others (Level 2)
• Building relationships and partnerships: Builds and maintains effective working relationships (Level 1)

Technical/Functional

• Authoritative knowledge of physical and personnel security operations and systems.
• Ability to research and apply best practices/lessons learned and develop regulations, rules and standard operating procedures to meet evolving Fund security requirements.
• Ability to manage, coach and mentor a team of security guards and operational personnel.
• Excellent analytical ability in order to validate, organize and document findings.
• Communication skills to establish effective work relationships and deal with the general public with tact and discretion. Excellent writing skills to document processes, practices and procedures, and to draft official documents and reports.
• Database and integrated information management system skills and knowledge to maintain and design/administer reporting requirements.

Minimum recruitment qualifications

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in military science, law enforcement, disaster or emergency management,  public administration, social/political science or related area. A first-level university degree in any of these fields, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree at IFAD's discretion.

Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in corporate security management, preferably in a multi-cultural organization or national organization providing security services management and support on a global scale. Professional Security Management experience and training certification in the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) as well as field experience in developing countries are assets.

Language requirements:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of another official language (Arabic, French, or Spanish) is desirable.  Working knowledge of Italian is an asset.

Other information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD, and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD.

In the interest of making most cost effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.

IFAD is committed to achieving diversity and is seeking a balanced workforce from its Member States. Women are particularly encouraged to apply.