Security Specialist

Job Title: Security Specialist

Organization: UNICEF

Job no: 565579
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Gao
Level: P-3
Location: Mali
Categories: Operations

Not for Malian Nationals

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, Safety.

The Security Specialist reports to Chief of Field Office and maintains a close working relationship with the Country Office and the Country Security Manager. The Security Specialist is responsible for advising the Chief of Field Office on their security duties and responsibilities in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems. The Security Specialist contributes to the UNICEF mandate through strong security risk analysis, advice, and relevant mitigation. The Security Specialist manages, on behalf of the Chief of Field Office, all security activities in support of the country.

 

The Security Specialist implements and manages security activities at the duty station in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) including the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as well as NGO partners in line with the Saving Lives Together (SLT) policy. As a member of the UN Security Cell, contributes to the development of assessments, procedures and guidelines including Security Risk Assessments (SRAs), Country Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS), and the country specific Security Plan.

How can you make a difference?

The Security Specialist will cover 4 main domains:

• Security risk management and planning
• Provision of safety and security services
• Network development and partnership maintenance
• Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

 

1. Security Risk Management and Planning

• Advise the Chief of Field Office in the execution of his/her duties with regards to the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems. Attend as an observer, all Area Security Management meetings, assist the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participate as a member of the security coordination cell established by UNDSS.
• Provide advice on technical security requirements contained in the UN Security Plan, Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS), Residential Security Measures (RSM), and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments and monitor their implementation. Provide technical oversight for contracted security providers.
• Prepare, maintain, and update UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provide the Chief of Field Office and the Office of the Security Coordinator (OSC) with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines. This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).

2. Safety and Security Services

• Monitor the security situation and provide independent and comprehensive security analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the safety and security of UNICEF personnel, eligible family members, premises assets and resources.
• Implement security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participate, coordinate and/or undertake security risk management for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
• Ensure that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their 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.
• Ensure there is an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that this is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System.
• Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises. Conduct security surveys of international personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).

3. Programmatic Security Information Analysis

• Collect information, provide specific analysis, advice, and support to programme planning and implementation. Conduct analysis to fully understand the issues that have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes particularly in areas deemed security compromised.
• Work closely with the UNICEF programme and communication personnel in country to integrate all relevant analysis into the planning and implementation of all country programmes.
• Participate in civil-military coordination meetings for advocacy for access.

 

4. Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establish contact and maintain networks with all UNSMS/NGOs security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
• Ensure that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

• Introduce technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
• Develop humanitarian accessibility maps and evolutionary maps of security incidents. Connecting with programs
• 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…

EDUCATION

An Advanced University Degree in a discipline related to Risk Management, International Relations, Cultural Anthropology, Conflict, Analysis, Intelligence Analysis, Diplomatic Studies, Conflict and Security or Counter Terrorism.

A first level university degree with a total of [7] seven years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. *

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

A minimum of [5] five years of progressively responsible experience in global security risk management and/or security analysis at least three years of which should be at a strategic level.

Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is desirable.

 

LANGUAGES

Fluency in French and English required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language 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...

Core Values:

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Functional Competencies:

• Analyzing (3)
• Deciding and Initiating action (2)
• Applying technical expertise (2)

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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 

Please note that Gao is a Category E, non-Family duty station. The Rest and Recuperation Cycle is 4 weeks.

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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Advertised: 04 Sep 2023 Greenwich Standard Time
Deadline: 11 Sep 2023 Greenwich Standard Time

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