UNDP AFG - Regional Local Security Associate (GS6)- 7 positions

Background

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. Under the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in close coordination with other UN agencies, UNDP is supporting Afghan people’s aspiration for peace, prosperity, and sustainability. UNDP is currently implementing its flagship crisis response programme, ABADEI (Area Based Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives), as part of the ongoing UN-led response to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and the breakdown of Afghanistan’s economy following the August 2021 shift in power.

The UNDP Security Unit, based in Kabul, has a mandate to ensure the safety and security of all UNDP staff and their eligible partners, contractors, resources, assets, facilities, programmes and projects. The Security unit, with its personnel, will enable and support UNDP Programme delivery in the current Afghanistan context while guided by UNDP and UNSMS Policies and procedures.

In this context, the  Designated Area/Region Local Security Associate (RLSA) will work across the Region with UNDP’s ABADEI program and be responsible for providing technical security support to all regional activities. S/he works under the guidance and supervision of the Designated Area/Region Area Field Security Specialist (the FSS in Kabul and in close collaboration with regional team members. The Area RLSA will also work closely with UNDSS, partners, UN Agencies, technical advisors and experts and civil society to help implement ABADEI activities. S/he will be based in the assigned geographical location with regular field visits.

The incumbent will have to demonstrate knowledge of the UNSMS (United Nations Security Management System) in applying Security Risk Management solutions in conjunction with the Area Field Security Specialist and the FSS. The ability to think innovatively and to remain agile and focused on UNDP’s programmatic delivery will be one of the key functions of the incumbent in this post. This will require strong social skills in engaging and partnering with stakeholders and beneficiaries.

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Country Office (CO) SFSS and under the direct supervision of the Area FSS, the Regional Local Security Associate (RLSA), with technical assistance from the Senior National Security & Defacto authorities (Dfa) Liaison Officer (SNSGLO), the Security Associate will work closely with UNDSS to undertake her/his duties and responsibilities which includes the overall safety and security of all UNDP personnel and their eligible family members, eligible contractors, resources, assets, facilities and programs in the relevant region. The RLSA will be promoting, enabling and supporting regional programme delivery throughout the Designated Region while ensuring compliance with all UN safety and security policies, procedures and regulations. 

This will be achieved through:

• Advising that UNDP security support should feature prominently in the programming process at project and Country Office level
• Knowledge of the UNSMS (United Nations Security Management System) in applying Security Risk Management solutions in conjunction with the Area Field Security Specialist and the SFSS
• Strengthening the security arrangements of the project and UNDP and maintaining a security network with international and national?security personnel, as well as relevant local counterparts
• Undertaking assessment missions throughout the assigned region.

Duties and Responsibilities

ONLY CURRENT AFGHANISTAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WILLING TO TRAVEL IN KABUL AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN, ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

The incumbent will be responsible of the following duties:

• Enable Designated Region Project Activity
• Security Risk Management and SRM Compliance
• Security Plan and Business Continuity
• Information Management
• Security Related Training

1. Enable the Designated Region Project Activities 

• Provide security management support to enable effective project planning, implementation, and delivery within the framework of all UN security policies and procedures. 
• Support the review of the impact of current as well as future potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, project design and delivery, as well as the possible impact that design might have on the stability and security of prgrammes.
• Contribute to protecting and minimizing the risk to UNDP personnel, project personnel, property, and operations in all locations and at?the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the country.  
• Access coordination and support in collaboration with the Designated Area FSS. 
• Maintain a security network with relevant international and national security counterparts.  
• Participate as a member of the Security Cell and ASMT established by UNDSS in country. 
• If required, identify options for office and accommodation locations in areas where UNDP Designated Region might be expanding. 
• The RLSA will, in consultation with the Designated Area FSS respond to requests from the DO/UNDSS, to perform UN system-related security tasks.  
• Crisis, incident and post-incident coordination and support in collaboration with the Designated Area FSS. 
• Any other security-related tasks assigned by the Designated Area FSS. 

2. Security Risk Management (SRM) and SRM Compliance

• Provides inputs to the security risk assessments of operational locations in the districts and provinces where projects are implemented, identify, and implement appropriate risk management measures.
• Assist/provide input to UNDSS in preparing a comprehensive security risk assessment of the country to include all locations where UNDP personnel, eligible family members and equipment are present.
• Ensure UNDP personnel and equipment are Area SRM compliant.
• Ensure that personnel members are provided with; and proficient in the use of safety and security equipment including communications equipment, vehicle emergency equipment and personal security safeguards required for work in the field.
• Use and maintain internal communication systems and ensure UNDP communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System. 
• Provide advice on the selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security (vehicles, telecommunications equipment, etc.).
• Provide advice on the security of transportation and logistics.
• Coordinate with UNDSS 24-hour response to all security-related incidents involving UNDP Designated Region personnel and eligible family members.
• In Cooperation with the supervisor and the security team, ensure that appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advise on shortfalls in security preparedness.  
• Assist UNDP in implementing office security requirements for sub-offices and offices of UNDP implemented projects. 
• Establish and implement access control mechanisms (visitor/vehicle screening) as necessary for UNDP and project offices based on the security phase.
• Ensure security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies and that personnel safety and security are primary considerations. 
• Ensure that UNDP premises and international personnel residences are MOSS compliant.

3. Security Plan and Business Continuity

• Provide inputs to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework 
• Provide input and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining, and updating the country-specific security plan and?contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Management Policies and Procedures.
• Ensure that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan being prepared by UNDSS 
• Provide inputs into updating the UNDP Designated Region component within the country-specific security and contingency plans.
• Update the UNDP Designated Region warden system, train UNDP Designated Region wardens and follow up on their specific needs accordingly for both international and national personnel. 
• Provide security-related contributions to the CO Business Continuity Plan.
• Take necessary action to secure security clearances for all UNDP personnel travelling in security phase areas.

4. Information Management

• Provide timely and accurate security advice to the UNDP Management, programme managers, project managers and visiting consultants ensuring cohesiveness of information with the UNDP CO Security Unit. 
• Immediately report all security-related incidents involving UNDP to the Designated Area FSS
• Ensure that UNDP programme personnel members are provided with situation reports and other appropriate security information as required.
• In cooperation with the Designated Area FSS, maintain updated UNDP Region personnel lists, including details of visiting missions and consultants. 
• Encourage an exchange of information relative to risk management for UNDP programme implementation. 
• In coordination with UNDSS in-region, conduct investigations of death of a personnel/family member under suspicious and unclear circumstances. 
• Participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts as delegated.

5. Security Related Training

• Contribute to providing orientation and training to international and national personnel members on security guidelines, communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and existing restrictions on movement, such as curfews, restricted and dangerous areas.
• Schedule and implement fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate personnel members.
• Participation in the security trainings for the UNDP and allied UN agency personnel members.
• Any required security training.

Perform other duties within your functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:             

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Security Services - Security advice, planning and coordination     

• Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities

Security Services - Security crisis management & response

• Knowledge of crisis management and response arrangements as well as the ability to prepare for, respond to, support/manage security crisis events

Security Services - Security training        

• Ability to design, contribute to, and/or facilitate meaningful security training programmes/courses

Security Services - Safety management (including Air, Road, Fire)            

• Knowledge of air, road, and fire safety programmes/systems and ability to assess risks and identify mitigation measures

Business Management - Customer Satisfaction/Client Management      

• Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
• Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
• Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
• Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns

Business Management - Communication             

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Development - Integration with the UN             

• Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work; knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations

Required Skills and Experience

UNDP STRONGLY ENCOURAGES QUALIFIED WOMEN TO APPLY FOR AVAILABLE POSITIONS FOR WHICH THEY MEET THE STATED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Application Requirement

• All Applicants MUST complete and attach the UNDP Personal History-P-11 Form (found here) to their applications in the vacancy site. 
• Submission of personal resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) will not be acceptable and candidates who fail to attach the above required P-11 form will not be considered.

Minimum Education requirement:

• A Secondary education Diploma is required, with experience in Security, administrative support and coordination role; or related area.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Management, Security and/or Administration or in another social science field will be given due consideration

Relevant Experience:

• Minimum of six (6) years with Secondary education or three (3) years with Bachelor’s degree of experience in Security, administrative support and coordination role; or related area.

Required Skills:

• Solid computer skills at presentation level (MS Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) are required.
• Ability to travel throughout his/ her Region as and when required is a requirement.
• Ability to think innovatively and to remain agile and focused on UNDP’s programmatic areas.

Desirable Skills: 

• Security-related field experience or experience in security risk management, preferably in the military or police context or related field of work is desirable but not mandatory.
• Prior experience with the UN system or with an international organization is desirable.
• Knowledge of diplomatic protocol would be an asset.  
• Driver’s License (type B) required.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in English is required – both written and oral.
• Fluency in local language of duty station Dari and/or Pashto is required.

ONLY CURRENT AFGHANISTAN NATIONALS AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WILLING TO TRAVEL IN KABUL AND THROUGHOUT VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AFGHANISTAN, ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION. ALL OTHER APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.