Background
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.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Position Purpose
The position advertised is based in Lviv, Ukraine. The Field Security Specialist reports to the Deputy Principal Security Adviser (DPSA)/Chief Security Adviser (CSA) Operations UNDSS Ukraine and has a technical reporting line to the Principal Security Adviser (PSA). This location has been temporarily designated by the International Civil Service Commission as “D” hardship and non-family duty station. UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.) Provide leadership support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UN programme delivery throughout a large and/or complex country within the framework of UNDSS security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UN personnel and operations in covered locations.
- As part of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) Field Office, support and conduct security risk management for the UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UN Programmes. Ensure the mainstreaming of security and security costs into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects, programmes and costs; and provide innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions in complex situations where required under guidance of DPSA/CSA Operations UNDSS Ukraine.
- Contribute substantively to the UN SMS-wide security risk management process in designated/security area. Ensure security support needs are identified and provided based on review of possible impacts of potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery as well as the possible impact of programme design on stability and security.
- Conduct security risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UN projects are implemented; and identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures.
- Support implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches where security assessments and resultant security measures and procedures are guided by a nuanced evaluation of specific threats or vulnerabilities in a country facing conflict, political unrest or other volatility.
- Assist and provide substantive inputs to UNDSS leadership in preparing the security risk management process and other country security documents of country/areas where UN staff, dependents and equipment are present.
2.) Work in collaboration with the UNDSS Kyiv and assist in leading the country office security team to ensure that UN procedures conform to the UN security framework.
- Provide inputs and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating country specific security and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM) as well as providing security related contributions to updating emergency business continuity plans for the country office in concert with the UN Country Team business continuity plan and guidance from the Regional Security Advisor.
- Ensure that all UN personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective country offices being prepared by the UNDSS, which will include working in collaboration with HR and other relevant units to maintain and incorporate in those Security Plans an updated list of all UN personnel.
- Formulate and test UNDSS specific security and contingency plans and support the testing of CO Business Continuity Plans.
- Develop and deliver security orientation and training to UN personnel on security guidelines and procedures, and security awareness in a country.
- Coordinate with UNDSS in implementation of fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members.
- Monitor security compliance of UN personnel, operations and equipment and advise on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment.
3.) Monitor and oversee security compliance of UN premises and international staff residences.
- Support the implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UN premises, and as requested, participate in ensuring security management oversight of common premises.
- Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UN premises and equipment and advise on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements, solutions and implementation.
- Represent UNDSS security interests in any common premises that UN occupies in the country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations.
4.) Provide timely and accurate security advice and briefings to UN Management and Personnel and collaborate with key security partners internally and externally to ensure a constant flow of information on important security matters affecting UN agencies, funds, programmes, and its personnel.
- Produce security reports as required by UNDSS in a timely and efficient manner.
- For all security related incidents involving UN staff and eligible dependents, coordinate with the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) on 24-hour response, and immediately report such incidents to the UNDSS management.
- Establish and/or implement internal communication systems and ensure UN communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System.
- Liaise with and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UN staff as the highest priority.
- Maintain a security network of international and national security personnel. Coordinate the local security cell and participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.
- Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.
5.) Plans, organize, coordinates and delivery security training courses including Safe and Secure Approached in Field Environment (SSAFE), Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK), Emergency Trauma Bag (ETB), Women Security Awareness Training (WSAT), Advanced Safe Driver Training (ASDT) and Field Security Associate (FSA) Training.
- Coordinates and co-facilitated training sessions with other trainer(s) from UNAFPOs and liaises with INGOs regarding security training assistance as part of SLT framework.
- Conducts in-person IFAK/ETB/SSAFE training in Lviv, Kyiv and other field locations as required.
- Develops training material, conducts practical and written assessments and prepare reports and statistics for UNDSS management.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise CO GS security team and/or staff.
Competencies
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity
- Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Business Management-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
Business Direction and Strategy-System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Security Services & Security advice, planning and coordination: Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities
Security Services & Security information management: Analytical capabilities to process diverse security information and develop recommendations.
Security Services & Security risk management: Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test security plans.
Security Services & Physical/premises security design, implementation and management: Ability to conduct accurate premises assessments on UN facilities to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place. Ability to design, support the implementation and test physical security systems for UNDP premises
Security Services & Security crisis management & response: Knowledge of crisis management and response arrangements as well as the ability to prepare for, respond to, support/manage security crisis events
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in social sciences, management, or related security field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with two years of qualifying work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree, or
- A formal multi-year education in security management, such as military or police Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full-time) with senior level command experience.
- Formal training in security risk management is required.
Experience:
- Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) or formal multi-year security management education) of relevant experience in safety and security management or security training in the public or private security service areas is required.
- IFAK ToT 2.0 or ETB ToT valid certificate is required.
- Prior experience in conducting SSAFE, IFAK and ETB training as well as skills to deliver FSA and ASDT training is required.
- Solid computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, etc.) are required.
- Previous experience working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset.
- Previous experience working for a United Nations organization with knowledge of the UN Security Management System is an asset.
- Experience in using applied analytics, business intelligence, information management to advance decisions, strategies and execution is desirable.
Language:
- Proficiency in oral and written English language is required
Disclaimer
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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