UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Safety

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk  

How can you make a difference?

The purpose of this post is to contribute to the UNICEF mandate through strong security risk analysis, advice, and relevant mitigation.  The Security Specialist manages and supports, on behalf of the CSM, all security activities in the country in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) including the UN Department of Safety and Security as well as NGO partners in line with the Saving Lives Together (SLT) policy.  As a member of the Security Cell, contributes to the development of assessments, procedures and guidelines including Security Risk Management (SRM) processes, SRM measures, and the relevant Security Plan(s).

Main Responsibilities:

1. Security Risk Management and Planning

• Advise and support the CSM in the execution of his/her duties with regards to the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.  Attend as an observer, all A/SMT meetings, assist the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participate as a member of the security cell established by UNDSS.
• Provide advice on and manage the implementation of all technical security requirements identified in the SRMs, the Security Plan(s) and the Residential Security Measures (RSM), and support the compliance with other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments.
• Prepare, maintain, and update UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provide the CSM with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines.  This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).

2. Security Services

• Monitor the security situation and provide independent and comprehensive security analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the security of UNICEF personnel, eligible family members, premises, assets and resources.
• Implement security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participate, coordinate and/or undertake security risk management for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
• Ensure that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the Security Plan(s) as it relates to UNICEF.
• Ensure there is an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System.
• Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises.
• Conduct security surveys of international personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).
• Provide technical oversight for UNICEF contracted security providers such as guards service.
• Develop and conduct security training for UNICEF personnel as required.
• Monitor that all UNICEF offices comply with and periodically exercise security procedures/protocols and guidelines including Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and UNICEF’s Global Security Compliance platform.
• Oversee the recruitment of additional UNICEF Security personnel, if required.

3. Programmatic Security Information Analysis

• Provides analysis to understand security dynamics. Ensure the analysis addresses environmental, socio-economic and political factors that make geographical areas difficult to access and have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes.
• Works closely with the UNICEF personnel in country to ensure security considerations are mainstreamed into programmes and integrate all relevant analysis and security measures into the planning and implementation of UNICEF activities.
• Support UNICEF Management in the development and implementation of access strategies, preparedness plans, and programme contingency plans as required.

4. Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establishes contact and maintains networks with UNSMS, I/NGO, diplomatic, and international community security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
• Collaborate and coordinate with UNDSS and the Security Cell to enable UNICEF activities.
• Ensure that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.

1. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Introduce technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Lead and implement identified training and capacity building requirements for UNICEF Partners in support of IFI Projects. Undertake a needs assessment with UNICEF and Partners on the training requirements and modules to be developed. This includes risk assessment of the security situation to ensure that the training developed meets with the current and future risk profile of the country.
• Initiate and regularize learning opportunities, presenting findings and recommendations to help further improve programme quality and innovation in new and existing multi-sectoral projects, including IFI funded projects. This analysis will be used to support UNICEF’s risk informed programming as well as determine the vulnerabilities of personnel based on gender, disability, and ethnicity.
• Ensure training provided is gender and disability inclusive.
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
• Share best practices and knowledge learned.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s) is required in political science, International Relations, Anthropology, Sociology, Geography, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in global security risk management and/or security analysis is required.
• Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Eligible UNICEF International Professional (IP) Staff Members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to a Temporary Appointment, which is dedicated to L3 (or L2) Response, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and their current tour of duty, and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.