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Security Adviser, P-4, Fixed Term, Nairobi, Kenya, Post# 113249

Nairobi

  • Organization: UNICEF - United Nations Children’s Fund
  • Location: Nairobi
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Security and Safety
  • Closing Date: Closed

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

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, Security

In Kenya the economic growth has been steady but moderate, and poverty reduction too slow. Access to electricity is improving and renewable energy shows great potential - but cost remains a burden. The ICT sector is growing, further increasing the high rates of internet access and financial inclusion. Poor transport infrastructure limits productivity and poses a health threat.

Youth employment is improving, yet almost a fifth are unemployed and most work is informal. Urban poverty is increasing, and it is concentrated in the informal settlements. More than half of all children are poor, rural children are worse off in all dimensions. Gender-based, physical, and sexual violence is common.

Hopelessness among youth breeds radicalization and violent extremism. Lack of economic opportunity and limited social integration make young people in Kenya vulnerable to manipulation by politicians, criminal gangs, and terrorist groups. Kenya continues to face a direct threat from acts of terrorism perpetrated by Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen – commonly known as Al-Shabaab.

Climate crisis accentuates resource-based conflicts, and migration for pasture and jobs. Competition for scarce resources cause conflict around refugee camps, women and girls go insecure. Kenya is affected by irregular migration and trafficking, risking its stability and security. Transnational organized crime continues to pose serious threats to rule of law, security, and development.

How can you make a difference?

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Security Advisor, level 5, the position will have primary responsibility for leading
security analysis in ESAR, contributing to strategic management of regional security operations and providing guidance and assistance to country level managers and security focal points. Furthermore, the position will be responsible for supporting the Regional Security Advisor in coordinating a cohesive approach to security risk management throughout the region.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Security Analysis and Reporting

  • Under the supervision of the Regional Security Advisor, the position will plan, develop, and coordinate procedures and modalities relevant to the collection, collation and analysis of security information in support of the UNICEF operations.
  • 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 situation that may affect the safety and security of UNICEF staff, premises and assets throughout the Region and that may also impact programme delivery.
  • Monitor the security situation and provide independent and comprehensive analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and resources.
  • Monitor and analyze political and security trends that have the potential to impact on UNICEF operations, by developing early warning indicators to be used as a decision-making planning tool by Senior Regional Management and drafting of Regional Security updates
  • Provide analysis to understand country, and sub-regional, level dynamics, particularly when addressing issues of armed conflict, terrorism, inter-tribal conflict and population movements. Ensure the analysis addresses environmental, socio-economic and political factors that make geographical areas difficult to access and have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes, particularly in areas deemed security compromised.
  • Consolidate reporting from Country Offices 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 in coordination with the humanitarian section and/or country focal point.
  • Advise the Regional Security Advisor 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.
 
2. Security Risk Management
  • Support the Regional Security Advisor in evaluating, and reviewing security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participate, and undertake security risk management tasks and assessments as directed by the Regional Director and/or the regional Security Advisor
  • Support the Regional Security Advisor in ensuring that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their safety and security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the UN Security Plan as it relates to UNICEF.
  • Support the Regional Security Advisor with Security Planning and Emergency/Crisis Preparedness in accordance with country and regional specific situation and security requirements.
 
3. Security Networking and Partnership Building
  • Under the coordination of the Regional Security Advisor, establish contact and maintain networks with all UNSMS/NGOs security advisors, research organizations (think tanks), humanitarian, developmental and security research institutions and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
  • Under the coordination of the Regional Security Advisor, and relevant Country Representative, provide advice and support to I/NGOs, Consultants or Organizations working as UNICEF implementing partners, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.
 
4. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building
  • Introduce technological innovations and approaches to security analytical reporting, procedures and systems. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
  • Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.

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

  • An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) or recognized equivalent is required.
    *A first level university degree in combination with 10 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  • A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in security analysis and security risk management.
  • Demonstrated understanding of analytical processes and techniques is required.
  • UN and/or international security management experience is highly desirable.
  • Experience in humanitarian response and emergency contexts is an asset.
  • Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official languages is an asset.

 

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

· Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (3) · Works Collaboratively with others (3) · Builds and Maintains Partnerships (3) · Innovates and Embraces Change (3) · Thinks and Acts Strategically (3) · Drives to achieve impactful results (3) · Manages ambiguity and complexity (3)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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:

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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

 

This vacancy is now closed.
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