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Senior Field Security Adviser

Ankara

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Ankara
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Security and Safety
  • Closing Date: Closed

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.

 

Given the nature of the operation the incumbent needs to have demonstrated managerial, leadership, analytical and communication competencies as s/he will be dealing with complex situations where analysis and advice for sound decision making will be essential. 

The incumbent must be able to synthesize information. Proven political awareness as well as security analytics and excellent drafting skills are essential.

Due to the complex and fluid political situation, political sensitivity is paramount. 

Significant experience and the interpersonal and diplomatic skills in interacting with the UN SMS system, UN agencies, NGO partners as well as Senior Security and Government officials are key requirements.

The incumbent needs a level of maturity required to lead, mentor and coach a security team in a complex environment. Demonstrated experience and skills in training development and delivery for the local context are required.

Proven interpersonal and team leadership skills are required taking into consideration multicultural, multi-ethnic and gender considerations in security management.

The incumbent must be field oriented, able to provide advice and find solutions which are principled yet pragmatic and capable of being implemented keeping UNHCR staff and assets as safe as possible while ensuring that UNHCR can deliver on its mandate and obligations toward persons of concern. Thus, a solid understanding of UNHCR's protection mandate, and an ability to find solutions that improve safety of both staff and persons of concern, is essential as well as demonstrated knowledge of current policies and procedures of the UNSMS. Turkey continues to host the largest refugee population in the world, providing protection to some four million refugees and asylum-seekers by the end of 2018. With close to 3,6 million Syrians granted temporary protection by the Turkish Government, Syrians constitute the largest refugee group. In addition, Turkey hosts over 370,000 refugees and asylum-seekers of other nationalities. The refugee response in Turkey is government lead, based on a comprehensive legal framework for international and temporary protection. The refugee response is supported by UNHCR, UN sister agencies and other partners, and in close cooperation with relevant government ministries and institutions at national and local levels.  In light of the situation in the region, regular contingency and preparedness planning, in which security is an important consideration, are a necessity. Overall security and political conditions in Turkey have improved in the past years, however the context remains tense and unpredictable. This is expected to remain unchanged in a short to medium term.  This concerns the domestic situation as well as the impact generated by the neighbouring situations of Iraq and Syria.  Possible terrorist activities, socio-political demonstrations and violent criminal acts with political motives continue to be threats. Internal and external security operations against a number of non-state actors including various violent militants and groups throughout Turkey are also expected to continue. It is assessed that despite the strong inhibiting context provided by the Turkish security forces there is a likelihood of residual capacity from armed groups to conduct armed attacks on police and military personnel and installations. Collateral military hostilities, deliberate armed attacks against security forces - mainly in the South, Southeast and Mediterranean Region, IED attacks, arson attacks and other violent acts involving armed groups can continue to occur at a sporadic unpredictable tempo.  Targeting of highly visible public places (such as major touristic locations, airports and other major transportation hubs, places which host foreigners) remains a real concern.

A more UNHCR-specific situation relates to that of persons of concern who approach the offices, which can result in frustration on the part of heavily traumatised persons and has led to a number of self-harm security incidents which may occur also in future.

The SFSA needs to have the skills and capacity to manage these situations in a coordinated fashion with his/her team and units potential affected by this in a manner that respects safety of assets/staff and security guards but with understanding for and respect for the dignity of these persons of concern. 

UNHCR in Turkey currently covers the whole country from North to South, East to West, through field offices in 6 locations plus Ankara which counts staff in three different buildings.  There are over 400 staff currently working in-country to cover five different operations, each with their own operational context/requirements:  Syria, Iraq, Mediterranean, Case Management and Cross-Border. Ankara is an A duty station. The access to accommodation, supply and transport facilities is at high level. The incumbent is expected to find an accommodation independently or as in most cases assisted by real estate agents. The post requires regular overnight missions to field locations.  
Current operational circumstances require long working hours and being available any time required including during official holidays/weekends/at night if security events occur. Ankara enjoys a relatively calm context underscored by a low crime rate. The Turkish Security Apparatus is experienced, well-resourced and effective. Burglary, petty theft are the most common crimes in the city. However, compared with recent years, there has been a relative decrease in street crimes. There is no direct crime threat against the UN in the Region. The current security levels in all of Turkey were raised in early 2016, however, Ankara duty station is Level 2 (low). There are no known direct threats towards the United Nations and its staff in the area but it is a potentially rapidly changing security environment There has been a significant increase in the number of Civil Unrest-related incidents in country wide owed to socio-political issues and it is assessed that this is also linked the recent developments that sees Turkey increased involvement in the Syrian crisis. UN staff in Ankara are advised to take the necessary precaution in line with established security measures in general.  Area Security plans and Security levels are being updated.  As a result good security awareness is needed by individual staff members. The incumbent will need to be able to work in close coordination and `good entente¿ with the UN Security Management apparatus in Turkey, including through his/her active and professional participation in the Security Cell.

While it is clear that accountability for safety and security rests with the Representative, the incumbent must be able to provide a constant timely flow of professional advice and guidance based on a thorough and realistic analysis of the national situation as well as of the UNHCR operational priorities combined with thorough knowledge/understanding of the UN Security System.

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

This vacancy is now closed.
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