Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 
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.

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 Purposes

Under the strategic guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative Deputy Resident Representative Operations (DRR), the Field Security Specialist (FSS) provides leadership support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout a large and/or complex country within the framework of UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in covered locations.  The FSS ensures the mainstreaming of security and costs into all programming processes at the country office level as well as for individual projects; and maintains a security network of international and national security personnel. 

The FSS may supervise the Country Office GS security team and/or staff; and works in close collaboration 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide leadership support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout a large and/or complex country within the framework of UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in covered locations:
  • In consultation with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in the Country Office, support and conduct security risk management for the UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes. Ensure the mainstreaming of security and security costs into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects, programmes and costs; and provide innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions in complex situations where required under guidance of Senior Field Security Specialist or DRR. 
  • Contribute substantively to the UN SMS-wide security risk management process in designated/security area. Ensure security support needs are identified and provided based on review of possible impacts of potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery as well as the possible impact of programme design on stability and security.  
  • Conduct security risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented; and identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures. 
  • Support implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches where security assessments and resultant security measures and procedures are guided by a nuanced evaluation of specific threats or vulnerabilities in a country facing conflict, political unrest or other volatility.   
  • Assist and provide substantive inputs to UNDSS in preparing the security risk management process and other country security documents of country/areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present.
Work in collaboration with the UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS) and assist in leading the country office security team to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework:
  • Provide inputs and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating country specific security and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM) as well as providing security related contributions to updating emergency business continuity plans for the country office in concert with the UN Country Team business continuity plan and guidance from the Regional Security Advisor. 
  • Ensure that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective country offices being prepared by the UNDSS, which will include working in collaboration with HR and other relevant units to maintain and incorporate in those Security Plans an updated list of all UNDP personnel.
  • Formulate and test UNDP specific security and contingency plans and support the testing of CO Business Continuity Plans.
  • Develop and deliver security orientation and training to UNDP personnel on security guidelines and procedures, and security awareness in a country. 
  • Coordinate with UNDSS in implementation of fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members. 
  • Monitor security compliance of UNDP personnel, operations and equipment and advise on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment.

Monitor and oversee security compliance of UNDP premises and international staff residences:

  • Support the implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises, and as requested, participate in ensuring security management oversight of common premises.
  • Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advise on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements, solutions and implementation. 
  • Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies in the country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations. 
Provide timely and accurate security advice and briefings to UNDP Management and Personnel and collaborate with key security partners internally and externally to ensure a constant flow of information on important security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the Country Office and its personnel:
 
  • Produce security reports as required by the Country Office and the Security Office in a timely and efficient manner.
  • For all security related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents, coordinate with the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) on 24-hour response, and immediately report such incidents to the UNDP Security Office (or Senior Field Security Specialist if present in the duty station) and UNDSS in the country.
  • Establish and/or implement internal communication systems and ensure UNDP communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System. 
  • Liaise with and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority. 
  • Maintain a security network of international and national security personnel. Participate as a member of the security cell established by DSS in the country and participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.
  • Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.
     

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 CO GS security team and/or staff

Competencies
  • Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

  • Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment
Business Direction & Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
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
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
Required Skills and Experience

 
Education:
  • An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in social sciences, management, or  related security field is required, or a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with two years of qualifying work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree, or
  • A formal multi-year education in security management, such as military or police Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full-time) with senior level command experience. 
  • Formal training in security risk management is required.
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree or formal multi-year security management education) of relevant security or development experience. 
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP is an asset.
  • Previous experience working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset. 
  • Previous experience working for a United Nations organization with knowledge of the UN Security Management System as well as UNDP business, operations and programming cycle and Country Office structure/roles and responsibilities is an asset 

Languages: 

  • Proficiency in oral and written French language is required.
  • Proficiency in oral and written English language is an asset 
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 
Disclaimer

 

 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

 
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.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

 
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