The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work of the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions.
This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and exciting organization gaining unique and valuable experience where security provides great value. Besides the opportunity to gain new skills and further advance security expertise, this position offers a fulfilling environment that gives you satisfaction by contributing directly or indirectly to peace and security, human rights, and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Simply, all humanity will be benefiting from your work. Together, we can make the world a better place.
For more information on the Department, and how we make an impact on the world in enabling the achievement of SDGs, visit: https://www.un.org/undss/
The Field Security Coordination Officer will report directly to the Principal Security Adviser. The post is presently located in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and this duty station has been designated by the International Civil Service Commission as « C » hardship and family duty station.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Field Security Coordination Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Provides substantive inputs in the forecasting of the evolving security environment and, the UN’s security and operational responses. Using analytical techniques and collaborative team research, supports planning and ensure awareness of the current trends to enhance or adjust security programmes.
• Supports the development of risk management strategies and drives planning using situational awareness, critical thinking, and logic to detect and interpret early signals, emerging trends and analysis of multi-dimensional threats that may impact security. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Prepares, reviews, implements, and supports security planning, security risk management documents and risk management-based security solutions through innovation and creativity. Provides written analysis of security trends and reporting of incidents. Participates in meetings, committees, and task forces, prepares papers on security issues, delivers briefings provides responses, as needed.
• Advises on, and supports, the inclusion of security in all stages of United Nations activities and programmes. Provides advice and support to line managers responsible for security. Enables the delivery of mandates and programmes through direct operational assistance. Supports and collaborates with relevant parties, building consensus to ensure alignment and support for security operations and initiatives to best enable UN activities.
• Supports the management of security-related projects, prioritizing work to meet deadlines and following defined processes, policies, procedures and guidance, fostering alignment with colleagues and across organizations.
• Monitors and contributes to activities that relate to the implementation and evaluation of preparedness and compliance; drives results that help support efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• Enhances communication and trust through active collaboration, consultation and exchanges with agencies, funds, and programmes and other stakeholders, for information sharing, coordination of responses, provision of security briefings, taking into account operational activities and risks.
• Collaborates closely with peers and colleagues, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, and Host Government representatives with a view to understanding what the UN is trying to achieve, obtaining the best security support, and staying abreast of existing and emerging threats and how they may impact United Nations System activities, personnel, dependents, premises, residences, and property.
• Strengthens awareness and capacity of relevant personnel by supporting the development, updates and delivery of contextually relevant security training and advice.
• Conducts security surveys and assessments, creatively leveraging tools and processes, identifying and recommending the most simple, reasonable, effective and efficient security measures, including when there is incomplete, contradictory and/or fluid information.
• Supports organizational resilience and contingency planning, crisis decision-making, and the development of disaster recovery and business continuity plans, by providing information and analysis including situational monitoring and updates. Assists with internally relocating personnel and assets in a conflict zone or supporting the development and implementation of evacuation plans from a country.
• Provides support to establishing and maintaining a functioning Security Communication System.
• Supports budget, finance and logistical planning for the security office and participates in relevant United Nations administration, finance, and logistics forums. Supports resource mobilization, formulates work plans and follows up on its implementation. Manages performance of security personnel under his/her supervision.
• Actively implements departmental approaches to mainstreaming gender, diversity and inclusion into all aspects of the work as well as ensuring the implementation of people-centred security risk management approaches considering specific threats or vulnerabilities of personnel and adapting practices and measures in support of diversity and inclusion.
• Performs other functions as directed.
Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of security management combined with solid background in security or emergency or disaster operations. Ability to make quick decisions in emergencies or when rapid response is required. Ability to communicate complex concepts orally. Ability to produce assessments, reports, and other papers on security issues; Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Communication :
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Client Orientation :
Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, political/social science, psychology, criminal justice, law, international relations, security management or a related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree may be substituted with a diploma from a police or military education institution, college or academy obtained over a minimum of a three-year period.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, disarmament affairs, conflict resolution, crime or terrorism prevention, security, risk, disaster, post disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction or emergency management and preparedness in the public or private sector areas responsible for responding to emergency situations that directly impact security is required.
Experience in planning, design, implementation or review of risk mitigation measures related to operations impacted by insecurity and/or humanitarian assistance is desirable.
One (1) year of experience in field operations is desirable.
International experience is desirable.
Specialized experience in such areas as security programmes, risk assessments, or analysis is desirable.
Experience in using applied analytics, business intelligence, information management to advance decisions, strategies and execution is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is taking efforts to improve gender parity, including full implementation of the UN-wide, and Departmental Gender Strategies. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in the security and operations field.
The duration for this temporary job opening is six months, with the possibility of extension. The position is funded by an extra-budgetary project grant administered by UNDP. Therefore, the selected candidate may be given an appointment through UNDP. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof is subject to the availability of the funds, budgetary approval and/or extension of the mandate. Accordingly, the appointment will be temporary for the duration of the grant. Subject to the funding source of the position and the urgency to fill this role, this temporary job opening may be limited to internal candidates. Applying to this temporary job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer with a maximum of 30 days for deployment, if selected.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4 Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further « stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013… » Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources where no other suitable candidate could be identified.
Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for reemployment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions.
The expression « Internal candidates », shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuance governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Staff members are not eligible to apply for the current temporary job opening if they are unable to serve the specified duration of temporary need before reaching the mandatory age of separation. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
