Regional Security Advisor, (P-5), Fixed Term, Amman, Jordan (Regional Office), #22329

Under the overall supervision of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Director and the technical supervision of the Principal Security Coordinator (matrix Management), the Regional Security Advisor (RSA) will be responsible for assisting in the strategic management of regional security operations and for providing guidance and assistance to the MENA Regional Director and CO Representatives on all elements of their respective responsibilities in accordance with the UN/UNICEF Security Framework of Accountability.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Safety

Under the overall supervision of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Director (RD) and the technical supervision of the Principal Security Coordinator (PSC) (matrix Management), the Regional Security Advisor (RSA) will be responsible for assisting in the strategic management of regional security operations and for providing guidance and assistance to the MENA RD Country Office (CO) Representatives on all elements of their respective responsibilities in accordance with the UN/UNICEF Security Framework of Accountability.

Furthermore, the RSA will be responsible for coordinating a cohesive approach to security throughout the region and providing technical support to CO Security Advisers within the Region and liaising with the Principal Security Coordinator on the application of UNSMS Policies and Procedures. He/She will liaise closely with UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) Country Security Advisors (CSA)/Security Advisors (SA) and other UN Security Personnel within the MENA Region as well as Host Country Authorities as required and will collaborate with the Regional Chief of Operations and Regional Chief of HR and Regional Chief of Emergency. 

How can you make a difference?

Specifically, the RSA is responsible for performing the following key functions:

1. Security Coordination

• Provide advice and assistance to the MENA RD, the Regional Advisor Emergency and other MENA senior management staff primarily the Representatives on all aspects of security coordination throughout the region;
• Monitor developments in the region related to safety and security of UNICEF personnel and programme delivery and update the RD accordingly;
• Advise the Regional Director and MENA senior management on steps needed with regard to multi-country or regional geo-security environment and key political dynamics that have the potential to impact on programme delivery;
• Provide feedback to CO Representatives on security aspects of sitreps and the potential impact on the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and programme delivery;
• Update the UNICEF PSC through the Operations Center (OPSCEN) on security and political developments in the region. Inform that PSC directly if the situation requires immediate attention;
• Participate in selection of security advisors, assistants, guard services and related security services. Provide guidance on training requirement.
• Assist Heads of Offices and Operations Officers who have direct oversight of security personnel and guard services at CO level and support them on matters related to recruitment and performance evaluation;
• Assist the RD and Representatives on determining financial and human resources required for ensuring the safety and security of personnel, premises and programme delivery;
• Establish favorable working environment with UNDSS CSA/SA, Field Security Coordination Officers (FSCO), UNICEF Representatives, Security Focal Points and Operations Officers as well as Security Advisors from other Agency Funds and Programmes and Host Country Authorities as required.

2. Security Risk Management and Analysis

• Assist Representatives and Heads of Offices to prepare security risk assessments of UNICEF’s Country and Field Offices and undertake specific Security Risk Management (SRMs) as required;
• Proactively monitor situations and events in the Region and gather and analyze information with the aim of identifying emerging trends and providing early warning of any potential threats that may affect the safety and security of UNICEF staff, premises, assets and impact programme delivery;
• Consolidate reporting from CO and provide an analysis in the regional context, highlighting the potential impact this may have on programme delivery and particularly, in L2 and L3 locations;
• Work closely with key RO advisors and existing think tank networks within the region and globally with the objective of sustaining and strengthening the internal security risk management and analysis processes.

3. Security Planning

• Monitor situations and events in the Region and gather and analyse information with the aim of identifying emerging trends and providing early warning of any potential situation that may affect the safety and security of UNICEF staff, premises and assets throughout the Region and that may also impact programme delivery;
• Consolidate reporting from CO and provide an analysis on the implication this may have regionally and the potential impact this may have on programme delivery and particularly, in L3 locations;
• Participate in selection of staff security officers or assistants, guard services, etc. and ensure adequate training is provided.

4. Crisis Management

• Immediately inform the RD, Deputy Regional Director (DRD), and other senior Regional Office staff of any significant incident pertaining to security;
• If so requested by the RD, establish a regional crisis center as needed, able to communicate with OPSCEN and the countries involved and monitor developments;
• Assist the RD and CO Representatives with Security Planning and Emergency/Crisis Preparedness in accordance with the country specific situation and security requirements including the effectiveness of UNICEF’s Emergency Communications System and business continuity capability;
• Ensure that MENA Representatives in a sub region affected by the crisis are kept informed of key security issues, as well as other relevant stakeholders such as the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) Agencies, Funds and Programmes (AFP) and/or authorities depending the situation and in coordination with the CO’s;
• Ensure appropriate communication with COs that are involved in the crisis and coordinating the support requirements;
• Represent UNICEF in interagency security support missions as delegated by the PSC and agreed by the regional Director;
• Upon the RD’s delegation of power, and in coordination with the PSC and the legal office at HQ and UNDSS, ensure the follow-up on any cases of arrest or detention.

5. Compliance Monitoring

• Monitor that country offices comply with and periodically exercise security procedures/protocols and guidelines including: SRMM, building evacuation plans warden system, security awareness and briefings, fire safety and communication plan;
• Review proposals for countries Security Risk Management (SRM), RSMs and security local cost shared budget (CSB) and SMT minutes and provide advice when warranted.

6. Security Training

• Provide briefings and presentations to MENA managers with security responsibilities on current and new UN security policies and guidelines and tools;
• Identify training needs for security professionals in the region. Coordinate with the OSC nomination of security personnel to UNDSS/TDS and other AFPs training courses;
• Provide security awareness training to UNICEF and implementing partner’s personnel.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in social or political science, or a discipline related to Risk Management, International Relations, conflict analysis and resolution or equivalent formal training in security and risk management such as military and/or police senior Command College.
  *A first University Degree in a relevant field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, with at least two (2) years field experience of the UNSMS, proven crisis management and strong background in political and security analysis ideally in a regional context.
• Experience in working in crisis/humanitarian response locations enabling programme delivery is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish), Arabic in particular, or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The functional competencies required for this post are:

• Coping with Pressure and Setbacks
• Analyzing
• Applying technical expertise
• Relating and networking
• Deciding and Initiating action
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

* Priority and due consideration will be given to internal staff and Talent Group members.

* Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

* Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.