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, Peace

UNICEF Syria was established in 1970 and has been working with partners to help empower children to fully claim and enjoy their rights under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

UNICEF works with partners across Syria to deliver supplies, services, and expertise in areas of Child Protection, Education, Health, Nutrition, Water, Hygiene and Sanitation for every child. UNICEF also provides humanitarian assistance when needed.

Syria continues to face one of the most complex emergencies in the world. Unprecedented humanitarian needs are compounded by displacement inside the country and across its borders, extensive destruction of civilian and social services infrastructure, devastating impacts on the economy, and most importantly, the breakdown of the social fabric that stitched the country together for decades.

Today, 90% of people in Syria live in poverty, most are unable to make ends meet or bring food to the table. Families have had their resources depleted, with limited employment opportunities, skyrocketing prices, and shortage of basic supplies. For most people, the current socio-economic challenges represent some of the harshest and most challenging circumstances they have faced since the beginning of the crisis 11 years ago.

In 2024, 16.7 million people need humanitarian assistance. This is the highest number of people in need ever recorded in Syria since 2011. The number of children in need – more than 6.5 million – has increased by seven per cent in the past year alone. This is largely due the ongoing conflict, continued displacements, the unprecedented economic crisis, deepening poverty, and unemployment. The COVID-19 pandemic, the hike in price of commodities triggered by the overall global economic situation and the impact of sanctions are further compounding the dire situation.

For information of the work of our organization, please visit our website: UNICEF Syria

How can you make a difference?

You will report to the Security Officer in Homs. You will provides technical, operational and administrative assistance to the Supervisor in support of their role as it relates to ensuring the safety and security of personnel and their eligible family members as well as the safeguarding of UNICEF premises, assets and resources at the duty station. In carrying out the below duties the incumbent is expected to follow instructions precisely and in strict compliance with supervisor’s instructions and UN Security related policies, rules and procedures.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Security Planning
   • Support the supervisor administratively and logistically in their planning functions related to the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members as well as the safeguarding of premises, assets, and resources in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.
   • Assist the supervisor by collecting and providing the basic information required for the implementation of the UN Country Security Plan, Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS), Residential Security Measures (RSM), and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments.
   • Assist the supervisor in the development of UNICEF routine security documentation including security contingency plans such as, but not limited to, fire and evacuation plans.
   • Assist the supervisor in drafting routine security reports/returns including but not limited to Security Incident Reports (SIRs).
2. Safety and Security Services
   • Monitor the local security situation through local media and networks providing regular information and updates to the supervisor relative to on-going and emerging security issues in the country.
   • Assist the supervisor in security activities that support UNICEF staff, premises and operations for all locations where UNICEF personnel and/or eligible family members are present.
   • Provide on-going routine technical support and direction for contracted security providers on behalf of the SFP.
   • Under the direct guidance of the supervisor, share information with UNICEF personnel and eligible family members that would affect their safety and security and information regarding the actions to take in the event of an emergency, including those identified in the UNICEF/UN Security Plans.
   • Support the supervisor in the establishment of effective and functioning Communications/Warden Systems for UNICEF and the periodic testing of these systems.
   • Support the supervisor in the conduct of all security related contingency exercises particularly relating to administration, communications and logistics.
   • Conduct physical security surveys of international personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM) on behalf of the SFP as required.
3. Security Networking
   • With significant guidance from the supervisor, actively maintain official liaison with host government counterparts, local authorities responsible for security, law and order and security counterparts in the UN.
4. Support in Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
   • Coordinate, as required, with UNDSS, on behalf of the SFP, to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake mandatory security training/briefings.
   • With strong support and guidance from the supervisor, develop and conduct country level familiarization sessions for contracted security guards specifically regarding their UN/UNICEF related duties and responsibilities.
   • With strong support and guidance from the supervisor, develop and conduct country level training sessions for drivers to familiarize them with the specific actions to take when encountering a security related situation while driving.
   • Assist in the provision of any security related training for UNICEF personnel or eligible family members, particularly to ensure comprehension by those more comfortable in the local language.

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

The following minimum requirements:

Education: Completion of secondary education, supplemented by relevant technical/military/police courses and/or university courses in a relevant discipline.

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible experience in a security related environment is required.
• A bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in one of the above fields may replace three years of related work experience. A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.

Language Proficiency: Fluency in Arabic is required. Candidates with knowledge of English will have an advantage.

Desirables:

• Experience in an emergency context with a UN agency
• Obtaining Local security training program certification (LSA- SCP) or similar security certification program.

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.

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, breastfeeding breaks, 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 cancelled.

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.

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

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

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 shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.

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.

Syria Country Office is a non-family duty station, with an E hardship classification.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found  here.