Senior Field Security Advisor

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

In Ukraine, UNOPS support to the partners in their reform agenda since 2017 spans the rule of law, social protection, demining, emergency response and security. The projects are funded by the EU, the Governments of Japan and Canada.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualized within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.

Following the increased militarisation around Ukraine’s borders as well as the recognition of the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics by the Russian Federation, the security situation in Ukraine deteriorated rapidly, with the launch of a military offensive by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022. Armed violence escalated in at least eight oblasts (regions), including Kyivska oblast and the capital city of Kyiv, as well as in the eastern oblasts of Donetsk and Luhanska which were already affected by conflict. The towns of Mariupol, Kharkiv, Irpin were strongly affected, so resident civilians fled their homes en masse.

Martial law and a state of war were introduced in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and the general mobilization of all Ukrainian males between 18 and 60 years old was ordered, while the Ukrainian airspace was closed to civilian users.

On 19 April, the OHCHR reported 4,966 civilian casualties in the country – 2,104 killed and 2,862 injured. The UN estimates that 12 million people in Ukraine will need relief and protection. By 18 April 2022, the UNCHR estimated that 4,980,589 refugees from Ukraine already crossed the border with Poland, other European countries, Hungary, Slovakia, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Belarus.

The UNOPS immediately launched its Emergency Procurement Procedure (EPP) to enable a faster response to requirements related to the crisis. The EPP provided flexibility in procurement procedures while still ensuring adherence to essential public procurement principles.

UNOPS Ukraine Country Office is looking for Senior Field Security Advisor.

In his/her role, the SFSA should dedicate an approximate 20% of their working time to activities in support of other offices of the Europe and Central Asia Region.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Security Strategy Development, Implementation and Advisory
2. Technical Support to Operations
3. Monitoring and Reporting
4. Training, Awareness and Knowledge Sharing
5. Team Management

Security Strategy Development, Implementation and Advisory

• Advise the Country Director and all UNOPS personnel on all safety and security-related matters and the possible impact on project design, implementation and funding, in line with UN and industry best practice, enabling project implementation without compromising UNOPS personnel safety and security.
• Prepare the security strategy and planning for the Country Office, including all aspects related to elaboration, development, implementation and maintenance.
• Perform security assessments, both routine and ad-hoc as required, to ensure optimal security standards are in place, and in alignment with UN Security Management System (UNSMS) methodology, policies and procedures.
• Develop, adapt, and implement security protocols and procedures for local conditions, consistent with UNSMS and UNOPS security policies and frameworks.
• Maintain an up-to-date database of UNOPS personnel and their dependents, offices, residences, project sites and focal points.
• Maintain office security by conducting physical security evaluations of facilities, background checks, and entry control, including responsibility for guard force management.
• Represent UNOPS to the Security Cell and other relevant meetings, revise all UNSMS planning and operational documents and participate in its elaboration.

Technical Support to Operations

• Prepare an annual work plan including budget proposal for all aspects of office security including full compliance with UNSMS policies, procedures and guidelines; including: Security plan, Fire Safety, implementation of Security risk management measures, and residential security management (RSM); review and update the Business Continuity Plan from security perspective as well as training needs.
• Assess prevailing local security conditions, monitoring and identifying security trends and advising management and personnel on potential security issues.
• Ensure effective mechanisms for responding to day-to-day security requirements.
• Provide technical advisory and oversight services to ensure that security is a core component of all programmes/projects at the duty station and that appropriate funding is provided based on actual needs.
• Ensure all UNOPS offices and work locations count with appropriate and workable security procedures and contingency plans, and provide to its maintenance.Maintain an effective evacuation system, including performing drills as necessary, and assuming leadership in the case of an emergency.
• Proactively as well as in response to requests, provides timely, accurate and relevant security advice in accordance with UNOPS, PCS and UNSMS/UN SMT policies and decisions.
• Liaise regularly and effectively with UNDSS and other international organizations, with the local government security organizations and other relevant partner agencies (political and humanitarian, police,military, etc. as required), to gather and assess information on security and safety matters that might affect UNOPS personnel and programmes located in various areas in the country, to enable effective security management, networking and provide analysis of security related information obtained.
• Plan and coordinate security measures for mission travel to risk areas, specific events and visits, including convoy procedures as applicable.
• Ensure contingency plans are established and maintained, including medical evacuations procedures as relevant.
• Maintain protection details for senior officials as necessary.
• Determine, manage and account for the use of security equipment including security and emergency communications.
• Advise on the procurement of security services and equipment.
• Ensure contract management of security services to the country office and its personnel, based on quality management and KPIs.
• Assume the leadership in case an emergency has been declared by activating and managing UNSMS and UNOPS policies, including ensuring a smooth and efficient evacuation of UNOPS personnel and dependents when required.
• Ensure to be reachable/on call 24/7 to assist on any security issues (including incidents and traffic accidents) in relation to UNOPS projects and personnel.
• Work closely with the UNOPS Chief of Security in HQ and keep the CoS appraised on all security issues.
• Carry out other assigned tasks as directed by the Country Director and/or the Chief of Security.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Responsible for the effective security management tracking and reporting, including mission travel and other movements of UNOPS personnel in the country.
• Identifies security issues root causes and ensures coordinated and timely dissemination of security assessment reports and mitigation measures to the relevant stakeholders (local, Regional Office and HQ).
• Submit monthly reports to the Country Director and Chief of Security on security issues and performance to the annual work plan/budget;
• Report immediately security incidents and other events with a potential to impact on the security, safety and wellbeing of UNOPS personnel and other assets, to Country Director, Chief of Security and UNDSS.
• Investigate, in cooperation with UNDSS, security-related incidents involving UNOPS personnel.
• Investigate accidents involving UNOPS vehicles and prepares the report of findings

Training, Awareness and Knowledge Sharing

• Ensure that all UNOPS personnel receive briefing upon initial arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security, and understand their security risk management obligations.
• Advise UNOPS personnel about awareness, precautionary and preventive behavior, and individual equipment.
• Brief UNOPS managers in the country according to their role and responsibilities.
• Maintain up-to-date instructions and training for personnel on implementation of the security plan, including required precautions and guidance on action taken during emergencies.
• Organize, facilitate and deliver training to UNOPS personnel on security related topics.
• Coordinate attendance of UNOPS personnel to required security and safety training, and maintains record of assistance.
• Contribute to the Security knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in Security.
• Ensure full documentation of security management approaches and activities, to enhance knowledge-sharing/transfer.
• Follows emerging security management approaches, stays up-to-date with trends and applies best practice.

Team Management

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development of self and team members.
• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in progressive responsibilities; or
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience; or
• Attendance to Military or Police training institutes, with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience.
• Certifications like UNDSS Security Certification Programme (SCP), ISMI or ASIS CPP are an asset.

Driving license

• Driving license and ability to travel independently is required

Work experience

• Experience at the professional level working in the security field with UN agencies, funds and programmes, governments or corporate firms is required, for at least 7 years.
• Experience coordinating security arrangements with military, police and other security forces required in diverse contexts.
• Experience in security management in international operations is an asset.
• Experience in conflict / post-conflict environment is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience in working in the Ukrainian context is an asset.

Language requirements

• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required.
• Good working knowledge of Russian and/or Ukrainian language is an advantage

ALONG WITH THE APPLICATION, ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT COPY OF DRIVING LICENSE AS WELL AS COVER LETTER

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract level: P4 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability’

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link*:* https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks