Côte d’Ivoire is in a fragile sub-region, where ethnic, cultural, and social ties transcend national borders, and so do conflicts. Successive security crises over the past decades have been responsible for several thousand deaths, millions of displaced persons, and widespread economic underdevelopment in the subregion. A situation that has been exacerbated in recent years with the northern border countries experiencing recurrent intervals of regime change by force and violent extremism. This situation also has an impact on Côte d’Ivoire. Indeed, between 2020 and 2022, several jihadist incursions were recorded in the northern part of the country.

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1. ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Côte d’Ivoire is in a fragile sub-region, where ethnic, cultural, and social ties transcend national borders, and so do conflicts. Successive security crises over the past decades have been responsible for several thousand deaths, millions of displaced persons, and widespread economic underdevelopment in the subregion. A situation that has been exacerbated in recent years with the northern border countries experiencing recurrent intervals of regime change by force and violent extremism. This situation also has an impact on Côte d’Ivoire. Indeed, between 2020 and 2022, several jihadist incursions were recorded in the northern part of the country.

It should be remembered that the northern part, unlike the rest of the country, is much more affected by underdevelopment, rural poverty, lack of basic infrastructure, insufficient access to education and health, as well as a relatively high unemployment rate. Moreover, from the first years of its independence, Côte d’Ivoire, with its status as an economic powerhouse, attracted many migrants from other west African countries. In addition to this, the north has been hosting hundreds of asylum seekers fleeing the pervasive insecurity of their country of origin since the last quarter of 2022, which accentuates the already complex socio-economic and security challenges of this part of the country.

II. Purpose for the job

The Security Specialist reports to the Representative and maintains a secondary technical reporting line to the next most senior security professional (matrix management).  The Security Specialist is responsible for advising the Representative on their security duties and responsibilities in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.  The Security Specialist contributes to the UNICEF mandate through strong security risk analysis, advice, and relevant mitigation.  The Security Specialist manages and supports, on behalf of the Representative, all security activities in the country/area.

The Security Specialist implements and manages security activities at the duty station in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) including the UN Department of Safety and Security as well as NGO partners in line with the Saving Lives Together (SLT) policy.  As a member of the Security Cell, contributes to the development of assessments, procedures and guidelines including Security Risk Management (SRM) processes, SRM measures, and the relevant Security Plan(s).

III. Key function, accountabilities, and related duties/tasks

1. Security Risk Management and Planning

• Advise and support the Representative/CFO/CSM in the execution of his/her duties with regards to the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.  Attend as an observer, all A/SMT meetings, assist the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participate as a member of the security cell established by UNDSS.
• Provide advice on and manage the implementation of all technical security requirements identified in the SRMs, the Security Plan(s) and the Residential Security Measures (RSM), and support the compliance with other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments.
• Prepare, maintain, and update UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provide the Representative/CFO/CSM with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines.  This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).

1. Security Services

• Monitor the security situation and provide independent and comprehensive security analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the security of UNICEF personnel, eligible family members, premises, assets and resources.
• Implement security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participate, coordinate and/or undertake security risk management for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
• Ensure that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the Security Plan(s) as it relates to UNICEF. 
• Ensure there is an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System. 
• Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises. 
• Conduct security surveys of international personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).
• Provide technical oversight for UNICEF contracted security providers such as guards service.
• Develop and conduct security training for UNICEF personnel as required.
• Monitor that all UNICEF offices comply with and periodically exercise security procedures/protocols and guidelines including: Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and UNICEF’s Global Security Compliance platform.
• Oversee the recruitment of additional UNICEF Security personnel, if required.

1. Programmatic Security Information Analysis

• Provides analysis to understand security dynamics. 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.
• Works closely with the UNICEF personnel in country to ensure security considerations are mainstreamed into programmes and integrate all relevant analysis and security measures into the planning and implementation of UNICEF activities.
• Support UNICEF Management in the development and implementation of access strategies, preparedness plans, and programme contingency plans as required.

1. Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establishes contact and maintains networks with UNSMS, I/NGO, diplomatic, and international community security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
• Collaborate and coordinate with UNDSS and the Security Cell to enable UNICEF activities.
• Ensure that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.

1. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Introduce technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Ensure training provided is gender and disability inclusive
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
• Share best practices and knowledge learned

IV. IMPACT OF RESULTS

The advice and effective decision making and planning required in complex security environments, which often involve highly stressful situations, will directly impact on the security of personnel, their eligible family members as well as organizational premises, assets, and resources.

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

• An advanced university degree – Master (BAC+5) is required.

*A university degree – Bachelor (BAC + 4) in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in global security risk management and/or security analysis is required. 

  Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable. 

• Fluency in French and working knowledge in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language of the duty station 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

VI. Competencies and level of proficiency required.

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Core Competencies (For Staff without Supervisory Responsibilities) *

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (3)
• Deciding and Initiating action (2)
• Applying technical expertise (2)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

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, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates without any distinction are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also 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 cancelled.

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.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.