Senior Field Security Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: ACSYUNRWA/2106/202486
UNRWA
Senior Field Security Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: ACSYUNRWA/2106/202486
Damascus (Syria)
JOB DESCRIPTION
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. The Senior Field Security Officer reports to the Director of UNRWA Affairs (DUA) and receives technical guidance from the Director of Security and Risk Management (DSRM) – HQ (Amman).
Responsibilities
In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent is responsible for advising on and operationalizing all aspects of UNRWA security and risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness in the Field, for all UNRWA personnel both Internationally recruited and locally recruited Area staff with focus on frontline Area staff security, particularly in those areas heavily impacted by the current conflict.
The Senior Field Security Officer (SFSO) serves as a principal Advisor and assists the Front Office (DUA and DDUA (Operations/Programmes)) in the execution of their security responsibilities in the Field. The SFSO ensures UNRWA’s Security and Risk Management system is context specific and tailored to the needs of frontline personnel. S/he supports the identification, implementation of security and risk management best practices and other Standard Operation Procedures across the Field.
The SFSO ensures UNRWA’s participation in the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) and supports UNRWA’s compliance with security requirements, as appropriate. The SFSO also maintains close cooperation with UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), Agency Funds and Programmes Security Officer(s), as well as with the Host Government security agencies, local community, and beneficiaries.
The SFSO provides direct supervision in all aspects of the Field Security Risk & Management (FSRM) team. In this context, SFSO performs the following: – Security Risk Assessment:
– In line with UNSMS methodology, leads the development of security risk management processes, outlining potential risks and recommends prevention and mitigation strategies towards improving the security of both the internationally recruited and the frontline Area staff, as well as the installations with a particular emphasis on the Camp level.
– In close cooperation with the Front Office and Department and Programme Heads, ensures that security initiatives are fully coordinated, approved and integrated into appropriate Agency-wide policy.
– Oversees the process of comprehensive threat analysis and security risk assessments to include all area staff, locations, installations and activities in the assigned Field.
– Manages the processes of various security assessments, both routine and adhoc, as required, to ensure optimal prevention and mitigation measures are in place.
– Reviews inputs and recommends improvements in coordination with DSRM, HQ (Amman) in the implementation, further development and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the security and risk management system for all staff with the objective to minimize risk in the contextual, programmatic and professional workplace-risk categories for frontline Area staff.
– Manages the UNRWA security incidents system as required and ensures that the Agency Security Incident Management System (SIMS) is fully implemented, kept up-to-date and reports filed properly. Oversees the upgrading of the SIMS to provide critical information for security analysis. encourages incident reporting at the Camp and Area level.
– UNRWA Security Plan, Security Risk Management processes and UNSMS Security Risk Management (SRM) Measures:
– Plans and oversees Security Risk Management process for all offices and maintains guidance such as security, contingency, emergency and evacuation plans as required.
– Supports and supervises the implementation and adherence to the Camp Security Plan and coordinates capacity building efforts for relevant frontline staff with the support of the available security resources on the ground.
– Is responsible for developing and updating the Field specific security contingency plans in accordance with the United Nations Security Policy Manual that governs Internationally recruited staff and UNRWA risk management system for Area staff. coordinates and organizes emergency medical evacuation and convoy security procedures.
– Ensures and manages that all new International and Area staff personnel receive briefings upon arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security.
– Ensures implementation of the frontline staff capacity-building plan, including SSAFE training programme for frontline staff, as required, and professional work-place risk trainings.
– Manages the staff warden/ information systems as required.
– Ensures that UNRWA Field Office procedures conform to the UNSMS and UNRWA policy and standards as appropriate, and that UNRWA personnel is included in the Security Plan comprising International staff with eligible dependents and the Area staff.
– Ensures that appropriate staff tracking procedures are in place for all UNRWA staff travel. ensures compliance of International staff with Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) including the security clearance process.
– Oversees staff’s adherence and compliance to various (UNDSS and UNRWA specific) security plans and advisories, such as warden systems, and Residential Security Measures (RSM). – Assists the Field Director in assessing and implementing security risk management measures with a view towards SRM compliance for all aspects of UNRWA operations, including staff and supports the development and implementation of operational procedures and standards with regard to contextual, programmatic and professional work-place risk categories for frontline Area staff based on best practices in the Field; in WBFO, chairs the Field Office advisory sub-committee on Security and Risk Management and make recommendations to the Field Director.
– Office Security Management: – Oversees and directs the reporting of area d security incidents and information; monitoring of guarding schedules; conducting radio checks and providing logistics support. – Leads periodic appropriate security assessments of UNRWA premises, equipment and advises on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions. – Reviews office security surveys and recommends physical security measures validated by D/SRM to the Field Director or DDUA.
– Ensures due security arrangements (fire, hazards etc.) in UNRWA premises, makes recommendations to responsible units and conducts periodic drills, and works closely on emergency preparedness and readiness activities. – Leads the development and maintenance of plans to engage frontline Area Staff, beneficiaries and community to further safeguard UNRWA installations’ security. – Reporting and liaison: – Advises the Field Director’s Office and Programme Managers on security and risk management components in programmes and ensures that these components are included in all appeals and in project planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; prepares security related budget proposals and follows up security related procurement and construction with relevant departments.
– Updates the Front Office and DSRM at HQ(A) and UNDSS country offices on relevant security developments; participates as a member of the country security cell; attends the Security Management Team (SMT) meetings in support of her/his supervisor as required. – Establishes and maintains contacts with Area and Programme staff, Chiefs of Area Offices, Camp Service Officers and programmatic frontline Area staff as appropriate; establishes and maintains contacts with national security agencies and authorities, and security officials of diplomatic missions and international organizations to obtain/share the best information pertaining to protection for UNRWA staff and operations.
– Establishes and maintains communication links with other UN / NGO / IO Security personnel. – Establishes a flow of accurate and timely security related information to management and all staff. – Develops a security strategy of further engagement with beneficiaries, local community and host governments to increase coordination, collaboration and acceptance. – Supports the implementation of clear security reporting lines and communication channels between the HQ, Field-Area, Sub-Area, Camp/Installation levels. – Manages Field Security Risk Management section and assets in terms of budget, monitoring and evaluation, and donor reporting obligations.
– Ensures reporting of all security related incidents involving UNRWA personnel as per Agency guidelines and makes certain they are entered into the Security Information Management System; assesses, investigates and follows up on these incidents as needed. – Implements Residential Security Measures (RSM) based on residential security surveys of UNRWA International staff in conjunction with UNDSS and recommends physical security measures to Area staff members; prepares justification for residential security measures as required.
Competencies
UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. – Applying Technical Expertise. – Delivering Results. – Relating and Networking. – Managing Complexity and Change. – Deciding and Initiating Action. – Leading and Supervising.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in risk management, military or police intelligence, international relations or related area, or a university degree from an accredited educational institution in the same specializations as mentioned above, with two additional years of relevant work experience, given the specialty of this post.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in security analysis and risk management with the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) or International Organization (IO) is required; Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, a candidate for an international post must have at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport, or a national identity number is required. Progressively responsible practical experience at the Field/country level in moderate to high-risk security environments within UNSMS, IO security management, INGO Security Management is required.
Demonstrated understanding of security related analytical processes is desirable. Additional management, programme and project management qualifications is desirable. Knowledge of UN field security operations/ UN Field Security Officer/Adviser experience is desirable. In possession of UN Security Certification Programme (SCP) certificate is desirable. Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations relating to security is desirable. Knowledge of humanitarian operations, humanitarian, human rights, and/or international refugee law is desirable. Experience working in conflict settings and in high-risk environment is desirable.
Languages
Excellent command of spoken and written English. Knowledge of spoken and written Arabic is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
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