Field Security Officer

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position

Hardship Level

E (most hardship)

Family Type

Non FamilyDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

PR3

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Professional

  • Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2023-11-30

Job Posting End Date

December 21, 2023

Standard Job Description

Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The 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 Senior Field Security Officer; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; the Chief, Security Operations Section at Headquarters, or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.

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 may directly supervise security personnel at the international or national level. The incumbent may, depending on the context, be expected to monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.

The Field Security Officer may, depending on the context, be expected to travel on mission 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

  • Advise and support the manager on all aspects of security risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness with regard to maintaining the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, operations, and facilities.
  • Undertake security risk assessments/ ad hoc Security Risk Managements (SRM) analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
  • Participate in the development or update of the SRM process for designated areas.
  • Evaluate existing Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement. Follow up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements.
  • Monitor compliance with standards established through the Security Risk Management process.
  • Ensure gender considerations are included in the SRM processes and that SRMMs are appropriate. At a minimum these must include security briefings, travel advisories and the development and update of the Aide Memoire for Response to Gender-Based Security Incidents
  • Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contributing to the UNSMS plans and planning for relocation/evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies test plans in exercises or drills. to ensure that personnel are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them effectively in an emergency.
  • Ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
  • Coordinate and assist in management of critical incidents and post-incident processes reporting to manager, regional security coordinator and FSS.
  • Participate in and support activities to advise on Programme Criticality assessment process.
  • As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including Host Government law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders to ensure effective information sharing.
  • Maintain and enhance lines of communication with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UNSMS Security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood. Actively contribute to the Security cell and support the UNSMS.
  • Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens.
  • Provide country-relevant, security advice and training which is gender inclusive to UNHCR personnel, and where feasible to staff of NGOs and Partners in areas In line with UNSMS and UNHCR standards. Coordinate training with security management training unit of the global learning development centre.
  • Prepare periodic analytical reports on security issues in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and as relevant the regional Senior Security Coordinator and FSS.
  • Maintain linkages with the Psychosocial Well Being Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
  • Undertake other security-related functions or responsibilities as delegated by the supervisor.
  • Assist in building the capacity of national field security personnel by providing mentoring, on the coaching and other forms of guidance.
  • Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 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.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management,

Security Risk Management,

Security and Safety certification,

WSAT ToT

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable

Proven competences in security analysis. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working within or with humanitarian NGOs. Experience in implementing gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes.

Relevant training (first aid, WSAT, SSAFE, presentation skills, training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience of effectively handling gender-based security incidents.

Experience of delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills

  • FS-Security Risk Management
  • FS-Field Security Operations
  • FS-Security Planning
  • FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management

FS-Security Analysis

(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.

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.

Desired Candidate Profile

Familiarity with the security context of high risk locations, knowledge of the relevant geographical area and its socio-political dynamics, political awareness, good communication and diplomatic skills.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

,

,

Desired languages

Dari

,

Pashto

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Office – Kandahar and overall guidance from the Senior FS Officer in CO Kabul, the incumbent of the position takes on the leading role of coordinating and supervising all activities related to security issues within the Sub Office. In cooperation with UNDSS and other UN humanitarian agencies, the incumbent is expected to participate in Area SRM reviews in view of identifying security gaps with recommendations to the HoSO. S/he identify other risks such as gender-based or ethnicity-based risks affecting staff members to ensure these considerations are included in SRM processes, including security risk assessments, security briefings, and travel advisories. S/he undertakes periodic security assessments in close cooperation with UNHCR senior staff members and interagency partners, analyzing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes. S/he evaluates existing security measures to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement and follows up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements. The position is expected to maintain updated plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies. It also assists in identifying training needs, planning, and delivering security training in coordination with CO Kabul FSU and UNDSS in the Southern Region. As required, the positions also leads and coordinates rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that staff are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency.

Living and Working Conditions:

The UNHCR Sub-office in Kandahar is located in the city center of Shar-E-Naw, near Mirwais Hospital, on Mohd Jan Khan Watt. The guesthouse has 15 MOSS compliant rooms for staff accommodation, 11 rooms have their own washrooms and other facilities. The offices and guesthouse are located within the same parameter, and visits are only allowed to other UN compounds. The UNAMA compound is 10 KM away from UNHCR premises. The airport is approximately 30 kilometers away from the office and guesthouse, and it has limited international flights. UNHCR mostly relies on UNHAS, Kam Air, UNAMA flights.

Kandahar, located in southern Afghanistan, has a dry climate in general. The summers are hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 43 degrees Celsius in the peak months of June to August.

The winters in Kandahar are generally mild, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. However, temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing. It is recommended to have warm clothing, including jackets, sweaters, and boots, to stay comfortable during the colder months.

A daily radio check is mandatory. All movements are strictly by Armoured Vehicle or by air. A four-week R&R cycle is applicable for all duty stations and staff are highly encouraged not to delay. Considering the serious restrictions on staff movement, it is crucial to demonstrate a record of maintaining a positive attitude whenever confronted with adversity and restraints in social life. Staff should be mentally, psychologically, and physically fit and ready to face adverse situations.

Skills

Additional Qualifications

Education

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Military, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Police Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science

Certifications

Safety and Security – Other, Security Management Learning Program – Other, Security Risk Management – Other

Work Experience

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 – Part B

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance

To apply for this job please visit unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com.


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