Snr 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.

 

In addition to the standard requirement mentioned in the job description, the incumbent should :

- Have previous experience in emergency operations/environment
- Have negotiation skills and very good interpersonal skills
- Deep knowledge of the UN security management system and the humanitarian community.
- Experience in the context of partnership building and consensual decision-making.
- Proven skills in public security, public relations and communication, and of community based policing.
- Strong analytical skills of security threat incidents with ability to compile and holistically analyse;
- Experience on conflict analysis and prevention.
- Ability to coaching and mentoring of supervisees staff
- Training and capacity building skills;
- Proficiently in French and have a very good command of English to facilitate communication with clients
        (partners, staff, local population, PoCs) Due to the geographical location, Cameroon has become the main country in counter terrorism fight with two specific areas with high security risk profile namely Boko Haram Crisis affecting the Far North Region and Anglophone crisis at South west and North West Regions. The Far North Crisis is almost transnational while the English-speaking crisis is more internal.
The situation in the northwest and southwestern regions continues to be affected by heightened levels of insecurity marked by high levels of conflict and attacks perpetrated by both the Non state armed groups and the Government armed forces.
BH/JAS resumed suicide bombings and incursions in the far North border whereas Secessionists¿ militants continued to impose ghost town observance. The latter spilled over attacks again in a locality of neighbouring West region. While suggesting that SDF are challenged to contain secessionists in the English-speaking provinces, the attacks of secessionist in neighbouring regions bears the potential to provoke a reaction of more and stronger self-defence militias.
The expected crackdown of SDF on Secessionist militants is ongoing while the Government launched a disarmament program calling all Armed Groups in the country to join the initiative.
UNHCR has increased its operational presence in these Anglophone provinces while working with key governmental and non-governmental partners. UNHCR is enhancing the identification of persons of concern with a view to providing protection, assistance and solutions to asylum seekers. Huge advocacy against forced return principle is ongoing in the Far North region. 
There is 2 international staff at P3 level based in Maroua and Buea Sub Offices. Other field offices including the last one are covered by national staffs. Yaounde is a family duty station with appropriate infrastructures/facilities:

- Very good quality accommodations (hotels, apartments, houses, studios) at a reasonable price around 800 USD to 1,600 USD per month depending on their localisation with acceptable standards are available both in the capital and in the field offices.

- Several supermarkets where local and foreign goods are available and expatriates frequent a number of restaurants offering both local and international foods.

- French and American International Schools exist. A UN dispensary frequented by staff and other medical facilities are also available/accessible by UNHCR staff and their family members.

- Several banks and ATM are available in the capital using Visa and Master cards. Travels within the country are undertaken regularly through UNHAS and CAMAIRCO (national company) flights or by road. Many international travel agencies deserves mainly Douala and Yaounde such as Air France, Ethiopian, Kenya, Turkish Airways, Asky, Royal Air Maroc. Traveling by road is also applicable in some circumstances with overnight in approved hotels. Public transport likely taxi are available but it¿s recommended to be prudent by using commonly, preferably privately.

- Variety of mobile phone operators providing equipment and internet services (Camtel, MTN, Orange, Nextel).

- Several entertainment centers exist in Yaounde: stadium, nightclubs, swimming pools, theatre, craft center, fitness rooms, center of attraction for children, etc¿

There are 2 main seasons in Cameroon : rainy (May to October), dry from November to April.

For staff coming from a country with a Cameroon representation, it¿s recommended to obtain the entry visa prior to departure. Assistance could be provided to those who are not able to obtain visa within 10 working days.
Upon arrival, staff will be assisted with proper security briefing sessions conducted both by UNDSS/UNHCR as well as the head of main units/sections. Yaounde the capital is in the SRM area named South with 4 administrative regions (South, Center, West and littoral). The security level is at 2. There is no state of emergency in force while CM Coord is in place and most of movements are escorted outside of Yaounde. National electricity and water system are available. Generators are backing up the latter in the office site and residence.
As other bordering countries, Cameroon is characterized by the blurring of transnational terrorism, organized crime and locally based movements, all thriving in spaces with limited or non-existent government control and awash with weapons. People should worry about attack by extremist or criminal groups targeting or causing collateral damages among UN staff with somehow difficulty stabilizing or promptly extricating injured personnel. Road ambush, kidnapping, other crime, including carjacking when on mission in the field.
Medical evacuation system is in place with first responders through UN Clinic and National Hospital of reference at level 2 plus.
No curfew is in force in Yaounde which remains reasonably stable.   Almost no red zone exists but staffs should reside in a certain perimeter around the concentration point.
A personnel tracking system and information sharing are in place with weekly radio check.
The activities and the presence of the United Nations are accepted by the population but when its security measures in place are weak, the UN staff can be targets of complex terrorist attacks with kidnappings in border sectors.
The defense and security forces are well represented and active.
Almost all the offices have a National security staff with an international security staff in Maroua (Far North). The country is SRM compliant except for new offices in Anglophone provinces.

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