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.

Field Security Adviser

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Field Security Adviser takes on the role of leading, coordinating and providing appropriate guidance related to security management within an office.

The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, implementing partners, government partners in the area to facilitate the operation.
The incumbent directly supervises general service staff in the office, and reports to the Head of Office.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Country operations receive practical and well-reasoned security advice and support toward helping ensure an appropriate level of safety for UNHCR¿s staff and operations and compliance with security guidelines and procedures.
- UNHCR benefits from effective relationships with host country law enforcement agencies and the UN Security Management System.
- Staff are aware of threats/risks and how to respond to 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 periodic security assessments in close co-operation with UNHCR senior staff members and interagency partners, analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
- Evaluate existing security measures to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement.  Follow up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements.
- Assist in ensuring compliance with standards established through the Security Risk Management process.
- Assist in the development of plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies. 
- In cooperation with UNHCR senior staff members, ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
- Participate and support in activities to advise on programme criticality assessment process.
- 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 relationships with security-related actors, including host government law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders to ensure effective information sharing; provide regular feedback and analysis to country managers.
- Maintain close co-operation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), ensuring UNHCR's understanding of applicable requirements, cooperating in security assessments and planning and supporting UNDSS understanding of agency requirements.
- 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 country-relevant security advice and training to UNHCR staff, and where appropriate, to staff of NGOs and implementing partners in areas including, inter alia, preparation for and conduct of  road  missions, radio telecommunications  and  responding to specific threats within the environment.
- Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that staff are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency.
- Prepare periodic analytical reports on security in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and FSS.
- Maintain linkages with the Staff Welfare Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
- Undertake other security-related functions or responsibilities 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
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) with a focus on Security Management and/or related disciplines (Business Administration, Political/Social Science, International Relations) plus minimum 6 years of previous work experience relevant to the function  including 2 years security risk management experience in an international capacity. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Also relevant would be military or police academy degree (at Officer level).
- Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

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

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR 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 FSA 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, FSA 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.
FSA 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 FSA 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 armoured vehicles. UNHCR mission in Libya is developing rapidly and extending its areas of operations. the selected FSA 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.

Please note that the closing date for vacancies in the Addendum 4 is Thursday 28 February 2019 (midnight Geneva time)