Senior Field Security Adviser at United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Job ID: 16305
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Salary Grade: P4   
   
Duties and Qualifications

• The post of Senior Field Security Adviser takes on the role of leading, coordinating and supervising all activities related to security issues within a country or operation.
• The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and implementing partners to facilitate the operation.
• The incumbent directly supervises UNHCR Field Security personnel within the operation, and reports to the Representative or the Deputy Representative.
• The incumbent has a responsibility to monitor, coach, guide and support  staff within the given area of responsibility

Functional Statement
Accountability:

• Country operations receive practical and well-reasoned security advice and support, helping ensure an appropriate level of safety for UNHCR's staff and operations and compliance with security guidelines and procedures.
• UNHCR benefits from effective and responsive support from host country law enforcement agencies and the UN Security Management System.
• Staff are aware of threats/risks and how to manage them, understand and comply with guidelines and procedures.
• Security management is efficient, well-coordinated and consistent with policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Advise and support the Representative or Head of Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR staff, partners, operations, premises and refugees or persons of concern.
• Undertake regular travel within the country, assess current and potential risks and provide timely and proactive analysis to support managerial decision making.
• Provide specific recommendations regarding measures and procedures to ensure and improve the safety of UNHCR staff, operations, premises, partners and persons of concern, with specific attention to agency-specific needs such as camp security, refugee convoys and security issues related to urban refugees: provide follow-up support to ensure implementation.
• Develop plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies.
• Provide regular and forward-looking analysis of the security environment, focusing on factors of risk with potential to impact UNHCR operations.
• Ensure that offices are in compliance with standards established through the Security Risk Management process; make sure that deficiencies are brought to the attention of management.
• In cooperation with senior management, ensure that humanitarian and security objectives are reconciled in the area of responsibility, and that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development.
• Conduct or participate in security risk assessments for UNHCR programme activities. Advise on programme criticality processes.
• As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with security-related actors including host government law enforcement authorities and other actors within the operating environment to ensure effective support and information sharing; provide regular feedback and analysis to country managers.
• Ensure UNHCR's effective participation in the UN Security Management System, by maintaining close co-operation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and security personnel of other UN agencies, ensure UNDSS understanding of agency requirements and contribute to development of policy and procedures to support these, cooperating in the development of security plans and procedures, and supporting UNHCR¿s role in security forums such as the Security Management Team.
• Support UNHCR staff serving as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens.
• Provide training and advice to staff and partners aimed at developing skills to plan and conduct operations safely within the specific security environment.
• Provide country-relevant security briefing, training and advice to UNHCR staff at all levels, and where appropriate, to staff of NGOs and implementing partners in all areas of field safety and security risk management.
• Provide security analysis and reports to UNHCR offices within the region of responsibility and the Field Security Service at Headquarters according to established procedures.
• Maintain linkages with the Staff Welfare Section, and Medical Service, referring cases as required.
• Undertake other functions or responsibilities in the interest of UNHCR as appropriate and as delegated by the supervisor.

Authority:

• Provide security-related advice, in written and oral form, to the manager and other staff.
• Advise on, and upon approval, implement, needed mitigating measures.
• Participate in criticality assessments.
• Represent UNHCR in interagency working groups and attend SMT or ASMT meetings as an observer.

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Professional Experience Required

• Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) with a focus on Security Management and/or related disciplines (Business Administration, Political/Social Science, International Relations) plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience relevant to the function including 5 years security risk management experience in an international capacity. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
• Also relevant would be military or police academy degree (at Officer level) at the equivalent of a Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) specifically successful completion of the Command and General Staff at a recognized military staff college or police equivalent.
• Strong drafting skills.
• Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
• Proven competences in security analysis.
• Negotiating skills.
• Organisation management.
• Proven training skills.
• Knowledge of additional UN languages.

Position Competencies:

• C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
• C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
• C003L3 - Communication Level 3
• C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
• C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
• C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
• M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
• M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
• M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
• M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
• M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
• M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
• X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
• X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
• X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3

Procedures and Eligibility

• Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.