Senior Field Security Officer, P4, West Bank

Org. Setting and Reporting
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff
working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to
make a change.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the
most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.

As Senior Field Security Officer (SFSO) you will report to the Director of UNRWA Affairs
(DUA) West Bank and receive technical guidance from the Director of Security and Risk
Management (DSRM) – HQ Amman.

The Senior Field Security Officer is responsible for advising on and operationalizing all
aspects of UNRWA security and risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness in the
Field, for all UNRWA personnel both Internationally recruited and locally recruited Area staff
with focus on frontline Area staff security, particularly in those areas heavily impacted by the
current conflict. The SFSO serves as a principal Advisor and assists the Front Office (DUA
and DDUA (Operations/Programmes)) in the execution of their security responsibilities in the
Field. The SFSO ensures UNRWA’s Security and Risk Management system is context
specific and tailored to the needs of frontline personnel. S/he supports the identification,
implementation of security and risk management best practices and other Standard Operation
Procedures across the Field. The SFSO ensures UNRWA’s participation in the UN Security
Management System (UNSMS) and supports UNRWA’s compliance with security
requirements, as appropriate. The SFSO also maintains close cooperation with UN
Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), Agency Funds and Programmes Security
Officer(s), as well as with the Host Government security agencies, local community, and
beneficiaries.

Responsibilities
Security Risk Assessment:

• In line with UNSMS methodology, leads the development of security risk management
  processes, outlining potential risks and recommends prevention and mitigation strategies
  towards improving the security of both the internationally recruited and the frontline Area
  staff, as well as the installations with a particular emphasis on the Camp level;
• In close cooperation with the Front Office and Department and Programme Heads, ensures
  that security initiatives are fully coordinated, approved and integrated into appropriate
  Agency-wide policy;
• Oversees the process of comprehensive threat analysis and security risk assessments to
  include all area staff, locations, installations and activities in the assigned Field;
• Manages the processes of various security assessments, both routine and adhoc, as required,
  to ensure optimal prevention and mitigation measures are in place;
• Reviews inputs and recommends improvements in coordination with DSRM, HQ (Amman)
  in the implementation, further development and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the
  security and risk management system for all staff with the objective to minimize risk in the
  contextual, programmatic and professional work place-risk categories for frontline Area staff;
• Manages the UNRWA security incidents system as required and ensures that the Agency
  Security Incident Management System (SIMS) is fully implemented, kept up-to-date and
  reports filed properly. Oversees the upgrading of the SIMS to provide critical information for
  security analysis; encourages incident reporting at the Camp and Area level.

UNRWA Security Plan, Security Risk Management processes and UNSMS Security Risk
Management (SRM) Measures:

• Plans and oversees Security Risk Management process for all offices and maintains
  guidance such as security, contingency, emergency and evacuation plans as required;
• Supports and supervises the implementation and adherence to the Camp Security Plan and
  coordinates capacity building efforts for relevant frontline staff with the support of the
  available security resources on the ground;
• Is responsible for developing and updating the Field specific security contingency plans in
  accordance with the United Nations Security Policy Manual that governs Internationally
  recruited staff and UNRWA risk management system for Area staff; coordinates and
  organizes emergency medical evacuation and convoy security procedures;
• Ensures and manages that all new International and Area staff personnel receive briefings
  upon arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in security environment, and
  are kept informed of matters affecting their security;
• Ensures implementation of the frontline staff capacity-building plan, including SSAFE
  training programme for frontline staff, as required, and professional work-place risk trainings;
• Manages the staff warden/ information systems as required;
• Ensures that UNRWA West Bank Field Office procedures conform to the UNSMS and
  UNRWA policy and standards as appropriate, and that UNRWA personnel is included in the
  Security Plan comprising International staff with eligible dependents and the Area staff;
• Ensures that appropriate staff tracking procedures are in place for all UNRWA staff travel;
  ensures compliance of International staff with Travel Request Information Process (TRIP)
  including the security clearance process;

• Oversees staff’s adherence and compliance to various (UNDSS and UNRWA specific)
  security plans and advisories, such as warden systems, and Residential Security Measures
  (RSM);

• Assists the Field Director in assessing and implementing security risk management measures
  with a view towards SRM compliance for all aspects of UNRWA operations, including staff
  and supports the development and implementation of operational procedures and standards
  with regard to contextual, programmatic and professional work-place risk categories for
  frontline Area staff based on best practices in the Field; chairs the Field Office advisory subcommittee
  on Security and Risk Management and makes recommendations to the Field
  Director.

Office Security Management:

• Oversees and directs the operation of the 24/7 security operations rooms (when present)
  which supports all UNRWA operational movements, including: recording and reporting of
  area safety and security incidents and information; monitoring of guarding schedules;
  conducting radio checks and providing logistics support;
• Leads periodic appropriate security assessments of UNRWA premises, equipment and
  advises on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and
  solutions;
• Reviews office security surveys and recommends physical security measures validated by
  D/SRM to the Field Director or DDUA;
• Ensures due safety arrangements (fire, hazards etc.) in UNRWA premises, makes
  recommendations to responsible units and conducts periodic drills, and works closely on
  emergency preparedness and readiness activities;
• Leads the development and maintenance of plans to engage frontline Area Staff,
  beneficiaries and community to further safeguard UNRWA installations’ security.

Reporting and liaison:

• Advises the Field Director’s Office and Programme Managers on security and risk
  management components in programmes and ensures that these components are included in
  all appeals and in project planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
  prepares security related budget proposals and follows up security related procurement and
  construction with relevant departments;
• Updates the Front Office and DSRM at HQ(A) and UNDSS country offices on relevant
  security developments; participates as a member of the country security cell; attends the
  Security Management Team (SMT) meetings in support of her/his supervisor as required;
• Establishes and maintains contacts with Area and Programme staff, Chiefs of Area Offices,
  Camp Service Officers and programmatic frontline Area staff as appropriate; establishes and
  maintains contacts with national security agencies and authorities, and security officials of
  diplomatic missions and international organizations to obtain/share the best information
  pertaining to protection for UNRWA staff and operations;
• Establishes and maintains communication links with the Designated Official, Security
  Management Team, Area Security Coordinators and other UN Field Security personnel;
• Establishes a flow of accurate and timely security related information to management and all
  staff;
• Develops a security strategy of further engagement with beneficiaries, local community and
  host governments to increase coordination, collaboration and acceptance;
• Supports the implementation of clear security reporting lines and communication channels
  between the HQ, Field-Area, Sub-Area, Camp/Installation levels.
  • Manages Field Security Risk Management section and assets in terms of budget, monitoring
  and evaluation, and donor reporting obligations.
  • Ensures reporting of all security related incidents involving UNRWA personnel as per
  Agency guidelines and makes certain they are entered into the Security Information
  Management System; assesses, investigates and follows up on these incidents as needed.
  • Implements Residential Security Measures (RSM) based on residential security surveys of
  UNRWA International staff in conjunction with UNDSS and recommends physical security
  measures to Area staff members; prepares justification for residential security measures as
  required.

Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core
Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by
default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

• Demonstrated competence in management, problem solving skills and excellent
  interpersonal and supervisory skills.
• Understanding and demonstrated application of security planning, security risk management
  as related to staff, installations and programmes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a team
  environment and with people of diverse backgrounds, culture and nationalities.
• A high level of written and verbal communication skills and practical report and proposal
  writing experience.
• Basic paramedic knowledge/skills.
• Judgment and decision-making skills.
• Promotes learning environment in the office/field; provides constructive coaching and
  feedback to others.
• Creates an empowering and motivating environment.
• Good command of MS Office applications.
  For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.
  org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational
institution in a relevant discipline such as political science, international relations,
humanitarian law, human rights, conflict studies, social sciences, or international law with a
focus on security and risk management.

Job Specific Qualifications
Additional technical certification in relation to security and risk management such as security
management, community security, civilian-military coordination, human rights & protection,
counter-terrorism, intelligence management, hostage management, operational planning and
investigation, crisis management and emergency or disaster planning (desirable).
In possession of UN Security Certification Programme (SCP) certificate (desirable).
Additional management, programme and project management qualifications (desirable).
Senior Staff College (military or police) training (desirable).

Work Experience
A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in security
and risk management with the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) or International
Organization (IO) Security Management or International Non-Governmental Organization
(INGO) Security Management and/or experience in police or military.
A minimum of two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA,
and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport
or a national identity number.

Progressively responsible practical experience at the Field/country level in moderate to high
risk security environments within UNSMS, IO security management, INGO Security
Management.
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational
institution in a relevant discipline such as political science, international relations,
humanitarian law, human rights, conflict studies, social sciences, or international law with a
focus on security and risk management.
Knowledge of UN field security operations/ UN Field Security Officer/Adviser experience
(desirable).
Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations relating to security (desirable).
Knowledge of humanitarian operations, humanitarian, human rights, and/or international
refugee law (desirable).
Experience working in conflict settings and in high risk environment (desirable).
Familiarity with UNRWA, its mandate, programmes and delivery modality (desirable).

Languages
Fluency in spoken and written English.
Knowledge of spoken and written Arabic is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be
followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.
The Senior Field Security Officer will be required to reside in the field of assignment and may
be required to travel to other locations within UNRWA area of operations.
Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be
considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the
requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.
A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become
eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post.
Equivalency:
A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying
experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not
considered an acceptable combination.
UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states,
regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA
is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the
difficult circumstances in which they live.
For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/
United Nations Considerations
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to
assignment by him or her.
UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current
UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from
under-represented groups.
At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the
necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due
regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of
qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and
inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with
disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when
requested and indicated in the application.