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

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) works to ensure that everybody has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. Since 1950, we have faced multiple crises on multiple continents, and provided vital assistance to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless people, many of whom have nobody left to turn to. We help to save lives and build better futures for millions forced from home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Field Security Associate

Job Requisition ID: JR2330311
Location: Ogoja, Coss River
Job Type: Full time
Hardship Level: D
Family Type: Non Family with Residential Location
Grade: GS6
Residential location (if applicable): Accra, Ghana
Staff Member / Affiliate Type: General Service
Target Start Date: 2024-04-01

Job Description
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships:

• The Field Security Associate provides support to all security related aspects of field operations including Staff, premises and asset security.  
• The incumbent is supervised by a Senior Officer (FSA or Head of Office) who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance.
• The incumbent maintains regular contact on a working level on routine issues with other UNHCR staff members, UN agencies, NGOs, implementing partners and Host Government Security authorities (HGS) in the area to facilitate the operation.
• The duty of the incumbent is to support and monitor the management of security issues.
• All UNHCR staff members 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, staff members 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 assistance to the supervisor in evaluating the level of risk and assessing the existing security measures for the UNHCR staff, operations, premises, partners and persons of concern.
• Conduct regular security assessment missions to the field as required in coordination with UNDSS/other agencies; gather and analyse information about the security situation during field missions.
• Be aware of security protocols and procedures in place in accordance with the UNSMS policies, UNHCR Policies and the, Security Risk Management process for the designated area
•  Conduct checks for compliance and advise management on any deficiencies.
• Monitor the physical security of UNHCR premises and reports on deficiencies.
• Monitor and supervise the guard force In accordance with relevant UNSMS policies and guidance.
• Assist UNHCR Protection Colleagues in efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern.
• Provide support during implementation of security-related projects.
• Assist in the monitoring, updating and reporting of security-related events.
• Assist in the processing of administrative security issues.
• Maintain relations and cooperation with UN security management system actors, local law enforcement agencies, civil authorities and other relevant agencies.
• Provide security briefings and training to UNHCR staff, and as appropriate partner staff, on relevant security risk management processes  and measures for the country concerned to include security situation updates, , the warden system, communication notification and reporting procedures, travel planning  procedures road air and  fire safety.
• Respond to staff queries on security issues and provide immediate assistance as required.
• Provide security-related advice to the manager and other staff.
• Maintain liaison and build relationships with Host Government Security Forces and security counterparts.
• Perform other related duties as required.

The incumbent wil be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conducts functions and duties as delegated by the AFSO.
• Interface and linkages with actors within the security management structure and externally
• Warden support and coordination during initiation of Warden Tree / Headcount for National staff.
• Advising and enabling the staff compliance with the existing security procedures and requirements.
• Conducting and facilitating arrangements for required trainings and briefings as requested by AFSO.
• Maintenance and updating of staff records/reports and dissemination to DSS as warranted.
• Security Guard Services Coordination and supervision of guard service delivery. Maintain oversight over guard Logbook (Guard HO/TO, Guard Roll Call and Visitor Access).
• Follow up on staff Radio Checks – International and National.
• Initiation and coordination with UNDSS of mandatory security briefing for staff on mission or new arrivals.
• Initiating and following up (coordination) on police escort requests.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience

• For G6 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Certificates and/or Licenses:

• Security and Safety

Relevant Job Experience

• High level of knowledge in the security field is desirable

Functional Skills:

• IT-Computer Literacy
• FS-Field Security Operations
• FS-Security Analysis
• CO-Cross-cultural communication

Language Requirements:

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

Desired Candidate Profile:

• Previous working experience of minimum 3 years in a similar position with a UN organization or International Humanitarian Organization is highly desired.
• Knowledge of UNSMS security risk management process is an added advantage.
• Previous work experience with Police or Military is desired.
• Previous work experience with humanitarian organizations operating in South South and South East Nigeria.
• Proven safety & security training skills is desired.

Desired languages:

• English

Nature of Position:

• UNHCR Sub Office Ogoja covers three field Office (Calabar, Adikpo, and Taraba), and has 75 staff members disaggregated into 19 internationals (Professional and IUNVs) and 55 nationals (National officer, General Service, UNOPS, NUNV Contract holders) and reports directly to the Country Office in Abuja. The SO Ogoja is implementing the Protection and Assistance Programs and plays an important role in the coordination of Cameroonian refugees. The Field Security Associate is supervised by the Assistant Field Security Officer in Ogoja.

Living and Working Conditions:

• The duty station Ogoja hardship classification is D. A to E duty stations are rated on a scale that assesses the difficulty of working and living conditions from A to E, with A being the least and E, being the most difficult. Categories are arrived at through an assessment of the following six discrete factors: health, security, local conditions, isolation, climate, and housing.
• This assumes that staff members and their families can live in Ogoja safely and have access to basic social and economic infrastructures in the difficult living conditions:
• Basic medical facilities exist in Ogoja to manage/stabilize urgent cases (for 24h) before evacuation to Calabar (5h drive)/Enugu (3h drive) and then to Abuja/Lagos as needed.
• Ogoja town is small, and everyone knows each other, including the staff of the United Nations. Hence precautions should be taken on individual social life and cultural awareness and considerations. There are no safe public transport or taxis. Because of the fluid and unpredictable security situation and very limited safe housing options, international staff have been requested to live in a designated UN-shared guest house protected by armed personnel. Ogoja has no electricity and relies on generators for those who can afford it.
• The nearest airports are a 3.5-hour drive to Enugu (1 international flight only) or a 5-hour drive to Calabar (domestic flights), The capital Abuja is a 9-hour drive away. Enugu and Calabar are the closest locations away from the duty station which provides a change of scene in terms of isolation, local conditions, or relief from other adverse factors. The office facilitates the movement of staff to Enugu twice a month, to make purchases, medical referrals if necessary and change of environment.
• Ogoja is not connected to most internet service providers making it difficult to communicate domestically and internationally. There are days when there is no network. The UN office and UN guesthouse have a WIFI. There are no functioning courier services in Ogoja, such services are only available in Calabar or Enugu Towns.

Skills:

• Security Risk Management

Certifications:

• Safety and Security Other

Work Experience:

• Field Security

Competencies:

• Accountability
• Analytical thinking
• Change capability & adaptability
• Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning
• Communication
• Empowering & building trust
• Judgement & decision making
• Organizational awareness
• Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration.

Application Closing Date
12th December, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: This recruitment process may include a written test, followed by a competency-based interview. UNHCR doesn't charge any fees throughout the recruitment process.