Senior Field Security Officer, P4, Ouagadougou

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.

– Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
– Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4 – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degreeFor 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.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Security Management, Security Risk Management, Safety certification
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
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
*FS-Security Planning
*FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management
*FS-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.

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

The desirable candidate should be a very experienced security officer with excellent reporting and analytical skills. The ideal candidate must possess at least a decade of relevant experience as security staff in demanding emergency contexts dealing with intricate security issues. Prior experience in the Central Sahel countries will be an asset.
Previous involvement in an operation with a strong advocacy agenda on humanitarian access issues and interaction with high-level government security forces are also required.

Considering that the selected candidate will travel on regular basis to support UNHCR Sub and Field Offices in Burkina Faso, including those in high risk and very sensitive security areas facing terrorist attacks, resulting to casualties and kidnappings, it is desirable to have candidates with less risk of exposure and less sensitivity with regards to their nationalities.

The ideal candidate should also have a great potential in terms of capacity building and coaching to better support the UNHCR’s national security personnel.

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

French

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,

Desired languages

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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

Burkina Faso has been experiencing a multifaceted crisis which has resulted in mass displacement of over 1.7 million persons. A convergence of crises in the country, including armed conflict, poverty, food insecurity, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, have made it one of the fastest growing displacement and protection crises in the world. As of 30 September 2022, Burkina Faso hosts 1,753,260 PoCs, including 1,719,332 IDPs, 33,350 registered refugees and 578 Asylum-seekers. In addition to massive displacement, the deterioration of the security situation has also led to restricted humanitarian access. According to the estimates of the Protection Cluster in Burkina Faso (including those of the AoRs and working groups), 3,118,440 people will be in need of protection services in 2023, while the figure of people in need in the 2022 planning was 1,657,477 individuals, i.e an increase of 47% over the previous year.

Depending upon the evolution of the security situation in Mali and in the areas of origin of IDPs, UNHCR Representation in Burkina Faso will strengthen its commitment to the voluntary repatriation of Malian refugees and the return of IDPs. The implementation of the joint UNHCR-GoB strategy for socioeconomic inclusion of Malian refugees will also be critical to achieve durable solutions. Resettlement for some Malian refugees also remains an option and a protection tool and complementary pathways for admission will be thoroughly explored. To implement this solutions-oriented approach, UNHCR will work closely with the authorities, mobilize and build partnerships with key humanitarian and development actors.

The incumbent will be acting as an adviser to the senior Management and expected to provide practical and well-reasoned security advice and analysis. Will also work very closely with UNDSS.

Sensitive security context could put certain nationalities, like white skin people (European, American or Asiatic) at risk. As Senior Field Security, the incumbent needs to travel to high-risk areas facing terrorist activities, resulting to casualties and kidnappings.

Living and Working Conditions

Burkina Faso has very basic infrastructures, including in the health sector. In Ouagadougou, there are more than 20 health clinics, but only 7 recommended by the UN System. Epidemics and other disease outbreaks are common in the operational area.

Ouagadougou is a non-family duty station, and you are eligible for R&R for every eight weeks. Banking services available include more than five international banks among which two are recommended by the UN System (United Bank of Africa and Ecobank).

Hot and dry desert environment with high daylight temperature fluctuations.

In the field, due to security-borne restrictions, the office has built four guest houses for staff on short missions. Due to its limited capacity, staff are not advised to permanently reside.

Housing in Ouagadougou is mainly individual houses and are easily available. But most buildings are not well maintained and need repair. Electricity is very expensive, and a backup generator is recommended

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Security, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Security Management

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, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B – October 2023

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position requires Functional Clearance