Senior Field Security Specialist – P4

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP support’s the Government’s vision for a sustainable, peaceful Iraq through an approach that strengthens societal resilience to better deal with social, economic, environmental, and political shocks and stresses. UNDP Iraq has recently created a new Country Programme Document (2025 – 2029) that will serve to strengthen UNDP´s role as a learning organization ‘fit-for-purpose’ to deliver on Agenda 2030. The CPD is well-aligned with the GOI’s National Development Plan and other GOI strategies and action plans, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025 – 2029.

The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Field Security Specialist (SFSS) Iraq include the safety and security of all UNDP staff, eligible dependents, eligible partners and contractors, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects in addition to promoting, enabling and supporting UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility while ensuring compliance with all United Nations security policies, procedures and regulations.

In terms of functional matters related to UNDP security, the SFSS reports to the UNDP Security Office through the Deputy Regional Security Advisor (Levant), who will serve as the secondary supervisor.

At the Headquarters level, UNDP BMS/Security Office (SO) will, through the Regional Security Advisor (RSA), provide policy and technical advice to the UNDP SFSS regarding the safety and security of UNDP staff, eligible dependents, property and operations within the context of UNDP’s development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UNDSS’s mandate and role, and working within the UN and UNDP security policy and framework.

At the Field Level, the Senior Field Security Specialist will be supervised by the Resident Representative, who will serve as the primary supervisor.

Country Office success in its delivery of UNDP programmes is dependent on ensuring an adequate security framework is in place. The Host Government has primary responsibility for the security and protection of personnel employed by United Nations Security Management System organizations, their eligible family members, and property. The Country Office security team, in collaboration with UNDP Security Office and regional security staff, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UNDP programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments. Specifically, the security team ensures the integration and mainstreaming of security risk management into Country Office operations, including incorporation of security considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all country office projects and programmes.

Position Purpose

Under the strategic guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative (RR) and technical guidance of Regional Security Advisor, the Senior Field Security Specialist (SFSS) provides leadership support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout a large and/or complex country within the framework of UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in covered locations. The SFSS ensures the mainstreaming of security and costs into all programming processes at the country office level as well as for individual projects; and maintains a security network of international and national security personnel.

The SFSS will supervise the Country Office GS security staff and security drivers; and works in close collaboration with UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS), security partners in other UN agencies, national and local security counterparts, counterparts in Diplomatic missions, NGOs, municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders to exchange information and implement security programs.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide leadership support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout a large and/or complex country within the framework of UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in covered locations.

• In consultation with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in the Country Office, support and conduct security risk management for the for UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes. Ensure the mainstreaming of security and security costs into all levels of programme design; oversee implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects, programmes and costs; and provide innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions in highly complex situations where required.
• Play a key role in contributing to the UN SMS-wide security risk management process in designated/security area. Ensure security support needs are identified and provided based on review of possible impacts of potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery as well as the possible impact of programme design on stability and security.
• Conduct security risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented; and identify security risk priorities and ensure appropriate risk mitigation measures are implemented.
• Implement person-centered security risk management approaches in Country Office where security assessments and resultant security measures and procedures are guided by a nuanced evaluation of specific threats or vulnerabilities in a country facing conflict, political unrest or other volatility.
• Assist and provide substantive inputs to UNDSS in preparing the security risk management process and other country security documents of country/areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present.

Work in collaboration with the UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS) and lead the country office security team to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework.

• Provide inputs and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating country specific security and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM) as well as assist on security aspects of developing and updating emergency business continuity plans for the country office in concert with the UN Country Team business continuity plan and guidance from the Regional Security Advisor.
• Ensure that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective country offices being prepared by the UNDSS, which will include working in collaboration with HR and other relevant units to maintain and incorporate in those Security Plans an updated list of all UNDP personnel.
• Formulate and test UNDP specific security and contingency plans and support the testing of CO Business Continuity Plans.
• Ensure the development and delivery of security orientation and training to UNDP personnel on security guidelines and procedures, security awareness a country.
• Coordinate with UNDSS in implementation of fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members.
• Provide oversight and monitor of security compliance of UNDP personnel, operations and equipment and advise on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment.

Oversee security compliance of UNDP premises and international staff residences.

• Support the implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises; and when delegated to undertake task, provide security management oversight of common premises.
• Conduct periodic security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advise on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions as well as their implementation.
• Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies in the country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations.

Provide and ensure timely and accurate security advice and briefings are provided to UNDP Management and Personnel and collaborate with key security partners internally and externally to ensure a constant flow of information on important security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the Country Office and its personnel.

• Produce security reports as required by the Country Office and the Security Office in a timely and efficient manner.
• For all security related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents, coordinate with the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) to ensure processes are in place in country office to support 24-hour response, and immediately report such incidents to the UNDP Security Office and UNDSS in the country.
• Establish internal communication systems and ensure UNDP communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System.
• Liaise and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority.
• Maintain a security network of international and national security personnel. Participate as a member of the security cell established by DSS in country and participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.

Facilitates Security Training:

• Provide orientation and training to international and national staff members on security guidelines, communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and existing restrictions in movement, such as curfews, restricted and dangerous areas.
• Scheduling and implementing fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members.
• Contribution to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
• Participation in the security trainings for the UNDP and allied UN agency staff members.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the UNDP Security Team is adequately staffed by competent and proficient personnel with the appropriate skills and expertise required to enable the successful achievement of their respective functions and Country Office goals and objectives.
• Manage, supervise and execute the work programmes for the Security Team, coordinating and preparing inputs, determining priorities and estimating required resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
• Responsible for the full scope of human resources management of the Security Unit taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
• Assist in the performance evaluation of the private contractors, suppliers and consultants providing security services to the Country Office, as required.
• Serve as the first reporting officer on performance evaluations of all individuals assigned security functions (including local GS Security staff and/or more junior FSS staff).
• Participate in the assessment processes for locally recruited staff assigned to the security functions, and, in collaboration with the HR unit, ensures that recommended candidates meet all qualifications The Senior Field Security Specialist will supervise the CO security unit staff

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross Functional and Technical Competencies:

Business Management – Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects in line with its strategic objectives and capacity Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Business Direction & Strategy – System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Business Management – Operations Management:

• Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way.
• Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Security Services – Security advice, planning and coordination: Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities.

Security Services – Security information management: Analytical capabilities to process diverse security information and develop recommendations.

Security Services – Safety and Security risk management: Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test safety and security plans. including ability to design and test safety and security plans.

Security Services – Physical/premises security design, implementation and management: Ability to conduct accurate premises assessments on UN facilities to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place. Ability to design, support the implementation and test physical security systems for UNDP premises.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Social Sciences, Management, or a related security field is required. OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with two years of qualifying work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. OR
• A formal multi-year education in security management, such as military or Police Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full-time) with senior level command experience.
• Formal training in security risk management is required.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) or formal multi-year security management education of relevant security or development experience is required.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
• Previous experience working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset.
• Previous experience working for a United Nations organization with knowledge of the UN Security Management System as well as UNDP business, operations and programming cycle and Country Office structure /roles and responsibilities is an asset.
• In-depth knowledge of security management and risk management is highly desirable.
• Experience supporting the implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches is an asset.
• Experience providing leadership support in security management and policy guidance is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of Arabic language is desirable.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (‘Green Card’ holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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