Org. Setting and Reporting
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/ Regional Desks of the Division are the bridge between UNDSS Headquarters (HQ) and UNDSS Country Offices/Peace Operations and act as the first point of contact at HQ for UNDSS/Integrated Security Workforce personnel in the field, UNSMS organizations and Designated Officials (DOs), as required. Desks are the trusted focal point for the resolution of issues requiring support from HQ, serve as sounding boards and advocate for resources on behalf of DSS Country Offices. Regional Desks ensure coordinated, coherent, and timely support to the field, including by identifying sources of expert support within UNDSS HQ, UN Secretariat, and other UN organizations and UN bodies, and facilitating timely delivery. Desks also liaise or represent DFO on operational matters with other UN Departments and offices, and with UNSMS organizations. They also liaise with relevant Member States, Permanent Missions, on operational security matters and represent DFO as requested, as well as keep P/C/Sas abreast of UNHQ-level developments/considerations with potential impact on UN programmes and operations in the field and keep Director/Deputy Director DFO apprised of field-level developments/considerations with potential impact on UN programmes and operations. The Division of Field Operations (DFO) serves as the safety and security focal point for the field duty stations, providing primary operational and technical support. The Division is responsible for daily security coordination with the field. The advertised positions are located within the Division of Field Operations (DFO), Africa Desk. The Security Coordination Officers will report to the Senior Security Coordination Officer, Africa Desk.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Senior Security Coordination Officer, Africa Region, the Security Coordination Officers are responsible for the following duties: • Produces high-quality outputs: produce clear and objective reports based on comprehensive data; ensure that all outputs meet the required standards and comply with relevant mandates; prepare inputs for results-based budgeting and other reports as required; • Supports country security planning: Provide support to and offer peer review of all products linked to country security planning and Security Risk Management (SRM) processes, making use of ORS-developed quality improvement tools, prior to submission to DO/Security Management Team (SMT). Monitor and review Authorized Spending Limits (ASL), Locally Cost-shared Security Budgets (LCSSBs), Residential Security Measures (RSM), Security Plans, DO and DO ai appointments (among other). Proactively coordinate assistance to country offices in monitoring the quality and completeness of security and contingency plans through periodic reviews and exercises, coordinate with Operational Resilience Service (ORS) for support in this regard as and when necessary. • Supports UNDSS Country Planning: Provide support to and offer peer review of UNDSS Country Office input to Common Country Analysis and Country SDG Cooperation Framework in coordination with ORS and relevant Security Information Analysts. Review and support country planning documents including the UNDSS Country Programme and annual Workplans. • Coordinates and shares information with Security Information Analysts: Proactively collaborate with security information analysts covering the geographical area of the Desk, both in HQ and in the field, to enhance common understanding of political, social, economic, and security dynamics, including cross border or regional trends, in the geographical region. Collaborate with Security Information Analysts covering the geographical area of the Desk in operational and Desk team meetings. • Specialist Headquarters Support: Proactively consult with colleagues, facilitate and coordinate assistance to the field from specialized subject areas. Establish and maintain relationships with relevant Secretariat offices and UNSMS organizations and represent DFO, as required, in their meetings on operational matters. • Support the field on UNSMS policies, guidance, and procedures. Review and assist with resource requests in support of the field, using the Results Chain framework and submit for decision in line with delegation of authority. • Contribute to the identification, collection and sharing of lessons learned and best practice incollaboration with the Compliance, Evaluation and Monitoring Section (CEMS). • Crisis management: Support the field in crisis management preparedness (plans, capacity, exercise, training), and assist in bridging identified gaps. Provide support and guidance to Country Offices in their response to crisis events and major security incidents, internally and externally. If and when required by DFO Director, deploy to the field to support crisis response, in collaboration with Emergency Response Unit. Undertake security missions, as required, to the field including in high-risk locations to perform security assessments and to assist DOs, SMTs and Principal Security Advisers/Chief Security Advisers/Security Advisers (P/C/SAs). Participate in HQ Crisis Coordination meetings, including critical incidents such as hostage incidents. Participate and provide input to the Crisis Coordination Center (CCC) at HQ, as required2. • Supports Peace Operations, Political Missions and Transitions: Provide operational-level support to security sections in Peace Operations, Special Political Missions, and in Transitions in countries within the geographical area of responsibility of the Desk. Proactively collaborate on such operational support with counterparts in DPPA-DPO & DOS. This includes, but is not limited to, security-related planning for start-up, transition and drawdown, operational issues regarding the Integrated Security Workforce (ISW), security portions of mission annual budgets, Crisis Management, and Joint Departmental Assessments. • Human Resources, administration, logistics: Assist as required in support to the field on human resources, training and development, procurement, administration, budget and finance, extra-budgetary projects and logistics, coordinating with the Office of the DFO. Assist, when required, in the review and screening of applicants with a consideration to the Department’s gender and inclusion strategy. • Supports Senior Management and UNSMS: Update and briefs the Senior Security Coordination Officer/OiC on operational developments and challenges as required. Represents DFO, if requested, in internal and external meetings on operational matters. Participate in IASMN working groups under direction of the DFO. • If and when required by DFO Director, deploy to the field in support of UNDSS Country Offices. • Performs other assignments as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge in the field of security risk management; proactivity, resourcefulness, and tact; Ability to maximize productivity; Ability to produce assessments, reports and other papers on security issues; Ability to communicate complex concepts orally as well as in writing; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Demonstrates respect and sensitivity towards diversity in all its forms, in all cultural, gender and religious settings. Takes responsibility for incorporating different perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in security management, business administration, political/social science, humanitarian or disarmament affairs, law, international relations or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree may be substituted with a diploma from a police or military education institution, college or academy obtained over a minimum of a three-year period.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, humanitarian or disarmament affairs, conflict resolution, crime or terrorism prevention, security, risk or disaster management in the public or private service areas responsible for responding to emergency situations that directly impact security is required. Of these, a minimum of two (2) years recent field experience with UN Common System or similar international, governmental, or non-governmental organization within security or related area is desirable. At least 1 year of international experience is desirable. Experience in security risk management in the Africa Region is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (oral and written) is required. Fluency in French OR Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand). Knowledge of equals a rating of “confident” or “fluent” in at least two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is taking efforts to improve gender parity, including full implementation of the UN-wide, and Departmental Gender Strategies. We are committed to providing an inclusive culture and exciting opportunities for women in the security and operations field. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. • Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. • Subject to UN General Assembly approval, this post is available for a period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal are therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. • An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. • Those candidates who apply and are subsequently recommended and endorsed for the job opening, but are not selected for the current vacant position, will be placed on the roster for similar functions at the level and category of the job opening for possible future selection. Roster membership does not guarantee selection. • Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. • Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. • The selection process for this job opening will be conducted pursuant to ST/AI/2010/3 on the “Staff Selection System” and include the compliance review process by a review body described in staff rule 4.15. The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuance governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.
United Nations Considerations
According to 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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.