Security and Access Manager(P-4), East Jerusalem, SOP (MENA)

The Security and Access Manager reports to the Special Representative and maintains a technical reporting line to the Regional Security Adviser (MENARO). Specifically, the Security and Access Manager is responsible for advising Senior Management on their security and humanitarian access duties and responsibilities in accordance with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) Security Policy Manual, the UNSMS Framework of Accountability for Security, the UNICEF Security Framework of Accountability, and the UNICEF Humanitarian Access Field Manual. The Security and Access Manager contributes to the UNICEF mandate through strong security risk and access analysis, advice on relevant security risk management measures especially practical employment of UNICEF comparative advantages to gain access to beneficiaries and particularly children within acceptable levels of security risk.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Hope

The Security and Access Manager implements and manages security and access activities at the duty station in close coordination with members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) (at the level of the Security Cell), OCHA and its Access Support Unit (ASU) and  with NGO partners in line with the Saving Lives Together (SLT) policy.  As a member of the UNSMS Security Cell and the OCHA working group on Access, s/he contributes to the development of analysis, assessments, procedures and guidelines on security risk management and access (including the identification of access issues, and methodologies to mitigate both geographic and thematic access constraints).  The Security and Access Manager is expected to successfully engage with all key stakeholders to implement the above responsibilities.

How can you make a difference?

1. Security Information and Programmatic Access Analysis

– Provide analysis to understand regional- and country-level dynamics, particularly when addressing issues of armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, and civil unrest as well as inter-ethnic conflict and population movements. 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 high-security threat.
–  Analyse trends of security incidents affecting UNICEF programmes; develop and disseminate reports that analyse security information and provide advice to decision-makers; and provide regular analytical updates to programme and operations personnel as needed.
– Work closely with the UNICEF programme and communication personnel in country to integrate all relevant security and access analysis into the planning and implementation of all country programmes.

2. Security Risk Management, Access, and Planning

– Advise senior managers on the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UNSMS and UNICEF Security Management policies and procedures. Participate in the country Security Cell, attend as an observer, all SMT meetings, and assist the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate.
– Provide advice on and manage technical security requirements contained in all relevant SRM Area documentation including SRM (measures and procedures), Area Security Plans, Residential Security Measures (RSM), and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments and monitor their implementation. Supervise all UNICEF security personnel in the country. Provide technical oversight for contracted security providers.
– Prepare, maintain, and update UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and produce 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).
– Advise Senior Management and Section Heads on all access issues that inhibit the delivery of UNICEF and Partner activities. Actively participate in the OCHA-led Access Working Group and / or all relevant access-related forums as well as contribute to all access policies and procedures.

3. Security Services

– Monitor the access and security situation and provide independent and comprehensive 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.
– Supervise, evaluate, and review 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 safety and security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the UN Area Security Plan as it relates to UNICEF.
– Oversee the establishment of an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Security Communications System.
– Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises.
– Plan and lead security surveys of international personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).

4. Security and Access Networking and Partnership Building

– Establish contact and maintain networks with all UNSMS, Diplomatic Mission, I/NGO, and N/NGOs organizations, donor community as well as all UNICEF-specific partners, as appropriate. 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.
– Establish contact and maintain networks with all relevant local authorities, key Government and Non-Government entities, as appropriate. Maintain advocacy and liaison strategies with these entities to ensure access for all UNICEF and partners to conduct activities and operations.

5. Innovation, knowledge management and capacity building

– Introduce technological innovations and approaches to access and security procedures and systems.
– Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
– Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
– Initiate and regularize learning opportunities, presenting findings from analysis and recommendations to help further improve programme quality and innovation in new and existing multi-sectoral projects. This analysis will be used to support UNICEF’s risk informed programming as well as determine the vulnerabilities of personnel based on gender, disability, and ethnicity.
– Support thematic and area-based risk analysis documents with the risk informed programming framework to inform decision making.

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

Education:

• An Advanced relevant University Degree is required.  A first university degree with substantial relevant qualifying experience and training may be considered instead of the advanced university degree.

Experience: 

• A minimum of eight years of experience in humanitarian and security risk management in an international context.
• Demonstrated knowledge of IHL and international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable.
• Two additional years of relevant experience in lieu of an advanced university degree is required.

Language:

• Fluency in English is required.  Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language, in particular Arabic or Hebrew, is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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.(8)Nurtures, leads and manages people 

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:

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates).

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

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.