Regional Security Manager – P4  

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job ? it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, Safety and Security

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

How can you make a difference? 

The Regional Security Manager reports to and provides support to the Principal Security Coordinator in accordance with the UN and UNICEF Security Framework of Accountability.  The Regional Security Manager contributes to the UNICEF mandate and security strategy through providing timely and effective support to Country Offices in their geographical region(s) or remit on all matters pertaining to security risk management, liaising with UNDSS and security advisors from other UN Organizations, and providing security advice and support to UNICEF Headquarters. 

Key Expected Results

1. Security Risk Management and Analysis

• In coordination with the relevant Regional Security Adviser (RSA) review and monitor country security documentation, including Security Risk Management processes (SRMs), Security Plans and contingency plans, to ensure the requirements are reasonable, appropriate and support UNICEF activities.  As required, support in the drafting of security documentation for country offices in emergency contexts.
• Monitor the security situation and provide analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and resources globally. Ensure the analysis addresses environmental, socio-economic and political factors that make geographical areas difficult to access and have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes, particularly in areas deemed security compromised.
• In collaboration with RSAs, monitor that the Country Offices complies with and periodically exercise security procedures/protocols and guidelines including: Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and UNICEF’s Global Security Compliance platform.  Provide support to COs in submitting and reporting on the use of Central Investment Funds (CIF).

2. Security Advice to HQ, ROs and COs

• In cooperation with the UNICEF PSC and relevant RSA, provides security advice and guidance to HQ, Regional and Country Offices, with the aim of ensuring that staff security is mainstreamed and considered as a core component of all activity.
• Provides support to RSAs, UNICEF Senior Managers and Representatives in all countries to detect evolving security situations and assists them in the development of appropriate preparedness, prevention and response measures.
• In emergency and crisis situations, will provide immediate technical advice to support and assist in critical decision making and implementation of immediate strategies to safeguard UNICEF staff and assets and enable programme activities. 
• Provide security talking points and background information on Briefing Notes for senior managers.
• Ensure security information and analysis from COs and ROs is incorporated in broader strategic analysis and reporting done by HQ sections.

3. Support in Policy Development and Dissemination

• In collaboration with the PSC, develops security related policy, practices and procedures as they relate to good security practice. This includes working closely with UNDSS and participating in Inter-Agency Working Groups and associated meetings.
• Participates in communication and advocacy strategies related to staff security within UNICEF.
• Supports the development of security training packages and material and facilitates security learning and training events in order to strengthen the capacity of Regional and Country offices to operate effectively in every environment.  

 4.  Surge and Mission Support to the Field

• Regularly visits field offices in, or areas which have the potential for, a crisis, to assess UNICEF security preparedness measures, contingency plans, systems and procedures including security risk management, and assist in the implementation thereof. Provide remote support to field offices and country offices on security preparedness and response as appropriate. 
• Undertakes verification visits to field offices to assess compliance with Security Risk Management Measures, and other related policies and administrative guidelines, as well as provides active assistance and advice to staff on how this can be achieved.
• Identifies problems and provides recommendations for action and/or immediate corrective actions on site.
• Acts as a member of emergency assessment missions as needed and represents UNICEF on inter-agency security assessment missions as required.

5. Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establish contact and maintain networks with UNDSS, UNSMS, EMOPS and other counterparts.
• Ensure collaboration with EMOPS and UNDSS partners in support of day-to-day operations and established Working Groups.

6. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Introduce technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
• Support the PSC in developing security guidance and standardized tools based upon best practices, and in scaling up and rolling out security innovations.  Engage with other HQ teams as appropriate on developing and implementing these initiatives.
• Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned. Coordinate with UNDSS, UNSMS organisations, RSAs and RSMs to ensure knowledge is shared across regions and UN agencies.
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
• Provide briefings and presentations to UNICEF senior managers with security responsibilities on current and new UN security policies, guidelines and tools;
• Ensure training provided is gender and disability inclusive.

7.  Strategic Security Support

• Additional portfolios or other tasks as directed by the PSC to support the implementation of UNICEF’s security strategy.
• Serve as Officer-in-Charge for OSC as required.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have?

The following minimum requirements:

• Education:
  • An Advanced University Degree is required. Substantial relevant qualifying experience and training may be considered in lieu of the advanced university degree
• Work Experience: At least eight (8) years of relevant work experience in security risk management in an international context.
  • Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is required.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Experience in UNICEF in a humanitarian context is an asset.
• Women’s Security Awareness Training (WSAT) certified trainer is an asset.
• Trainer and Development Course (TDC) for Safe and Secure Approaches to a Field Environment (SSAFE) and Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are?

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

[add the 8th competency (Nurtures, leads and manages people) for a supervisory role]. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

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