National Security Specialist at UNDP

Position Purpose

Under the strategic guidance and supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) Operations, the National Security Specialist (NSS) provides support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout the country within the framework of all UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in all covered locations. The NSS provides advice on mainstreaming of security and security costs into the programming process at the Nigeria Country Office level as well as for individual projects; and maintains a security network of local and national security personnel.

The NSS may supervise the Country Office GS security staff; and works in close coordination 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. The NSS will receive policy and technical guidance from the UNDP/BMS Security Office Sub Regional Security Specialist (SRSS) on functional security matters. 

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
 

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

• In consultation with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in the Country Office National Security Specialist (NSS) provide support and conduct security risk management for the UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes. Advise and provide support on the mainstreaming of security and security costs into all levels of programme/project design, implementation, and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects, programmes and costs; and provide proactive support and solutions where required;
• Actively contribute to the UN SMS-wide security risk management process in designated/security area. Review and analyze potential security factors and trends to identify possible impacts on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery as well as the possible impact of programme design on stability and security. Identify and address security support needs;
• Conduct security risk assessment of key components of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented; and identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures within assigned areas;
• Contribute to implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches in alignment with security assessments, measures and procedures that are guided by an evaluation of specific threats or vulnerabilities;
• Contribute 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 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 providing security related contributions to updating emergency business continuity plans for the country office in concert with the UN Country Team business continuity plan and with guidance from the Regional Security Advisor;
• Ensure that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of Nigeria 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 in the country office and the Country Office Business Continuity Plans;
• Provide security orientation and training to UNDP personnel on security guidelines and procedures and security awareness (communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and existing restrictions in movement, such as curfews, restricted and dangerous areas);
• Coordinate with UNDSS in implementation of fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members;
• Monitor security compliance of UNDP personnel, operations and equipment. Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment.

Monitor that UNDP premises and international staff residences are security compliant.

• Support the implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises. and when requested, participate in ensuring security management oversight of common premises;
• Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advise on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended mitigation measures;
• Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies in the country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations;
• Conduct in conjunction with UNDSS, Resident Security Measures (RSM) surveys of UNDP eligible personnel.

Provide timely and accurate security advice and briefings to UNDP Management and Personnel; and maintain contact with 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, contribute to coordination with the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) on 24-hour response, and immediately report such incidents to the UNDP Security Office (or Field Security Specialist if present in the duty station) and UNDSS in the country;
• Implement internal communication systems, including integration of UNDP communications into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System; 
• Liaise and coordinate with partner organizations and counterparts to ensure the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority in planning and carrying out missions;
• Participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.  Maintain a security network and participate as member of the security cell in the country and participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts;
• Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.

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

Competencies

 CORE

• 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

Cross Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Management: Portfolio Management   

• Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

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

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: Security risk management        

• Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test 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

Security Services: Security crisis management & response             

• Knowledge of crisis management and response arrangements as well as the ability to prepare for, respond to, support/manage security crisis events

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 combination with additional 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 an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree or formal multi-year security management education) of relevant security or development experience;
• 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;
• Previous experience working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset;
• Previous operational experience working for an international or multinational organization 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 could be an asset.
• Fluency in English and the national language of the duty station is required.
• Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.