Senior Field Security Officer at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was created in 1950, during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. We had three years to complete our work and then disband. Today, over 65 years later, our organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees around the world.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Senior Field Security Officer

Job ID: 28080
Location: Abuja
Salary Grade: P4
Hardship Level: C
Family Location Type: Family

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

• The Senior Field Security Officer reports to the manager, who may be, according to context, the Representative/Chief of Mission or Head of Office within a country operation; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; or the Chief, Security Operations Section at Headquarters.
• The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security, providing sound, well-reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.
• The incumbent supervises and or supports management in supervising security personnel at the international or national level. The incumbent will monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.
• The incumbent is expected to travel on mission, sometimes to multiple duty stations, to provide advice and support to the local manager as agreed in mission terms of reference.

All UNHCR personnel are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, personnel are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Provide practical and well-reasoned security advice, coordination and support to the designated manager(s) in managing the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, Partners, operations, premises and refugees or other persons of concern.
• Monitor situations and events in the designated region, country or duty station, gather and analyse information with the aim of identifying emerging trends and providing early warning of any potential threats that may affect the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, premises, assets and impact programme delivery.
• Provide security analysis and reports to UNHCR managers and the Field Security Service at Headquarters (FSS) when required.
• Undertake overall contextual analysis, identify security-related priority needs, and develop an annual work plan for addressing them.
• Ensure gender considerations are included in Security Risk Management (SRM) processes including in Security Risk Assessments, security briefings, travel advisories and the Aide Memoire for Response to Gender-Based Security Incidents
• Conduct regular missions and assessments, providing gender-inclusive security advice, training and coaching, as determined by the SRM process.
• Develop operational plans for implementation of security risk management measures for areas under their responsibility, identifying resources and ensuring they are factored into budgeting planning.
• Monitor security events and intervene when and where appropriate to ensure that security-related goals are achieved.
• Advise the manager on the reconciliation of humanitarian and security objectives in the region/country/duty station of responsibility, and on integrating security measures into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development.
• Provide regular reporting on security-related incidents and events to the manager, the Bureau and FSS at Headquarters.  Provide input on security aspects of situation reports and the potential impact on the safety and security of UNHCR personnel and programme delivery.
• Maintain effective liaison and relationships with UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) to include active participation in the country or area Security Cell. Maintain active liaison with Host Government law enforcement and other actors in the region/country/duty station, to ensure effective and responsive partnership and support in support of UNHCR¿s security and other needs.
• Within their security role, proactively reinforce a working environment where all personnel feel safe, heard, equipped and empowered to speak up; demonstrate no tolerance for sexism, gender inequality, discrimination of any kind, abuse of power, harassment or sexual harassment; foster ongoing dialogue on those matters; take seriously all issues of inappropriate behaviour and actions reported, whether formally or informally; and seek guidance and support as necessary to ensure that appropriate follow-up is taken, working on the basis of zero tolerance for any form of misconduct.
• Provide training and coaching to staff and, as appropriate partners, both on mission and within the duty station of assignment, aimed at developing skills to plan and conduct operations safely within the specific security environment.
• In coordination with FSS and the Global Learning and Development Centre (GLDC), assist in the identification of training needs, and planning and delivery of security training organized within the region.
• Assist in maximising the capacity of national field security staff by assisting in their recruitment and selection, providing coaching, mentoring, training and other forms of advice, identifying their further training needs, and assessing their potential for undertaking greater responsibilities.
• Maintain liaison with Medical and Staff Counsellor personnel in the region/country/duty station, referring cases as required.
• Manage and support critical incidents
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience:

• For P4 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate Degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Field(s) of Education:

• Security; Security Management; Business Administration;
• Political Science; Social Science; International Relations; or other relevant field. (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk are essential).

Certificates and / or Licenses:

• Security Management, Security Risk Management, Safety certification (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk are essential).

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in security risk management.
• Proven competence in security risk management security planning and critical incident management.
• Demonstrated competency in security analysis.
• Training/facilitation/learning development.
• Experience of implementing gender sensitive and inclusive responses and approaches.
• Experience in team management.
• Experience working in multi-cultural environments.

Desirable:

• Exposure to and experience in UN or humanitarian field operations, especially in high risk duty stations, and emergencies in an international capacity in various geographical locations.
• Relevant training (first aid, WSAT, SSAFE, presentation skills, training skills).
• Experience of effectively handling gender-based security incidents.  Experience of delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills:

• FS-Field Security Operations
• FS-Security Analysis/Information Management
• FS-Security Planning
• FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management
• Security risk management (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk are essential).

Language Requirements:

• For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
• For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
• For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Position Competencies

• C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
• C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
• C003L3 - Communication Level 3
• C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
• C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
• C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
• M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
• M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
• M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
• M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
• M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
• M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
• X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
• X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
• X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
• X004L3 - Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Level 3
• X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3.

Application Closing Date
13th July, 2021.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.
• All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
• As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
• This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
• The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.    
• Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).