Background

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background and Organizational Context

As the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. The organization help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP’s work is concentrated in three focus areas: sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience.

In DRC, UNDP aims at supporting the government in its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in all its forms and to reduce inequalities and the vulnerability of the population. To this end, an integrated approach to three main priorities has been adopted: i) promotion of governance: which aims to improve the legal and institutional environment necessary to strengthen the inclusion of target populations in decision-making and promote their well-being; ii) economic transformation: which aims to support the achievement of a structural transformation towards a sustainable and inclusive green economy using a human development approach; and iii) stabilization and resilience: which targets support to fragile and conflict-affected regions through a comprehensive and integrated package of support.

Country Office success in its delivery of UNDP programmes is dependent on ensuring an adequate security framework is in place. The Host Government has primary responsibility for the security and protection of personnel employed by United Nations Security Management System organizations, their eligible family members, and property. The Country Office security team, in collaboration with UNDP Security Office and regional security staff, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UNDP programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments. Specifically, the security team ensures the integration and mainstreaming of security risk management into Country Office operations, including incorporation of security considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all country office projects and programmes.
Position Purpose

Under the guidance and supervision of the Field Security Specialist (FSS), the Country Office Security Associate (COSA) assists in providing security management support to the protection of and minimization of risk to UNDP personnel, property and operations in all locations of the country while at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the country and/or established project areas. 

The COSA may supervise the Country Office GS security staff and interacts with UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS), security partners in other UN agencies, national and local security counterparts, counterparts in Diplomatic missions, NGOs, municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders to exchange information and implement security programs.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Key Duties and Accountabilities
 
  1. Assist in providing security management support and provide guidance on relevant security policies and regulations to enable effective programme delivery throughout the country while protecting and minimizing those risks to UNDP personnel and operations. 
Example of Duties:
  • Contribute to and conduct security risk management for UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes in designated areas. Assist in mainstreaming security and its costs into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery by monitoring assigned projects and programmes, under guidance of more senior security staff in the country or region.  
  • Working closely with more senior security staff in country or region, review the impact of security factors on UNDP Programme design and delivery as well as the potential impact that programmes might have on stability and security. Make recommendations regarding possible security needs and improvements. 
  • Working in close coordination with more senior staff in the country or region, assist in conducting of UNDP security risk assessments, and advise the CO management on security measures for UNDP offices and projects in all locations to address security risks and support their implementation.
  • Support the implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches to address specific threats or vulnerabilities in alignment with security assessment results and procedures. 
  • Provide inputs for UNDSS in preparing country security documents covering areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present. 

2.)   Support the Country Office in implementing the Country Security Plan, Contingency Plans, Business Continuity Management, and the UN Security Framework. 
Example of Duties:
  • Coordinate with UNDSS to provide guidance to the Country office security team to ensure availability of updated and adequate procedures for dealing with emergencies involving UNDP staff and operations, in consultation with or guidance from senior security staff in country or region.
  • Ensure coordination with the HR Unit in the maintenance and ongoing provision of updated Staff Lists to UNDSS to ensure that all UNDP personnel are covered by relevant Security Plans.
  • Formulate and test UNDP specific security and contingency plans in the country office, as needed, and the Country Office Business Continuity Plans.
  • Coordinate with UNDSS in implementation of fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members. 
  • Organize and support delivery of training, briefings and courses on security issues/awareness and preparedness; and provide security orientation to newly assigned staff members. 
  • In coordination with HR, monitor UNDP staff security training compliance. 
  • Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment, and monitor their deployment and functionality. 
3.)   Monitor the security compliance of UNDP premises and international staff residences. 
Example of Duties:
  • Provide input to implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises. 
  • Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and provide advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions.
  • Represent UNDP security interests, when delegated, in any common premises that UNDP occupies in the country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations. 
4.)   Provide timely and accurate information and briefings to UNDP Management and advice to staff on security procedures, processes and requirements; and maintain contact with security counterparts internally and externally to facilitate the flow of information on important security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the Country Office and its personnel. 
Example of Duties:
  • Produce and provide substantive input in the preparation of security reports as required by the Country Office and the Security Office in a timely and efficient manner.
  • For all security and safety related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents, be prepared for 24-hour response in coordination with UNDSS and immediately report such incidents to UNDSS in the country as well as to the most senior security staff in the duty station or the UNDP Security Office.
  • Maintain, test and implement UNDP Country Office communication systems and processes to ensure integration with UN Security Emergency System. 
  • Coordinate with partner organizations and counterparts to ensure the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority in planning and carrying out missions.
  • Represent UNDP at security meetings, as appropriate, and in absence of Field Security Specialist or National Security Officer. 
  • Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities. 
5.)
Example of Duties:  
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise Country Office GS security staff
Requirements:
 
Education
  • Secondary Education is required. 
  • University degree (bachelor’s or master’s equivalent) in Political Science, Military Studies, Security Management, or a relevant field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement 
  • Applicable security, police and/or military training is desirable. 

 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
  • Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible experience in security, preferably in the military or police context or related field of work. Prior experience with the UN system or an international NGO is desirable. 
  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
  • Experience in the use of radio communications systems and knowledge of Country security codes is desirable.
  • Valid driver’s license is required

Language Requirements 
  • Fluency in French is required
  • Good command of English is desirable

Expected Demonstration of Competencies
Core : Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here 

Achieve Results:

 LEVEL 2:  Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work

Think Innovatively:

 LEVEL 2:  Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking 

Learn Continuously

 LEVEL 2:  Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning

Adapt with Agility 

 LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination  LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously

Engage and Partner

 LEVEL 2:  Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

 LEVEL 2:  Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies (insert up to 7 competencies) 

Thematic Area Name Definition
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 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 Operations Management
  • Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization beyond processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
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 information management
  • Analytical capabilities to process diverse security information and develop recommendations
Security Services Security risk management
  • Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test security plans
Security Services Physical/premises security design, implementation and management
  • Ability to conduct accurate premises assessments on UN facilities to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place. Ability to design, support the implementation and test physical security systems for UNDP premises
 Keywords

Security risk management

Person centered security 

Mainstreaming security

Crisis management and response

Physical security

 Dislaimer

Female candidacies are strongly encouraged.

Important applicant information

This post is subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. We strongly encourage female candidacies.

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