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, hope

UNICEF in the State of Palestine works to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, from early childhood through adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfil their potential. We are working for every child and young person in the State of Palestine.

How can you make a difference?

In response to the escalation of armed conflict in the Gaza Strip, State of Palestine (SoP) that started in October 2023, UNICEF has rapidly scaled up its programming and personnel in Gaza.  As UNICEF continues to expand its programmatic reach and geographic coverage of the emergency response, an additional temporary Security Specialist is required to support staff and programme implementation Reporting to the Senior Emergency Coordinator (SEC), the Security Specialist (TA) will work in very close collaboration with the current Security Specialist (FT) and advise the SEC on their security duties and responsibilities in the area of responsibility in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems. The Security Specialist will also contribute to the UNICEF mandate through strong security risk analysis, advice, and relevant mitigation.

Key responsibilities and tasks

1. Security Risk Management and Planning

• Advise and support the SEC 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.  In coordination with the Security Officer represent UNICEF at Security Cell meetings, attend as an observer, A/SMT meetings as and when required, 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 Representative/CFO/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).
• When required, prepare and submit necessary documentation under the Humanitarian Notification System (HNS) including notifying static humanitarian locations, notifying movements, drafting ConOps and requisite documentation for coordination missions and convoys.

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.

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 and I/NGO 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.

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

Education

• An advanced university degree in a relevant field is required. A first level university degree in a relevant field with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience
• A minimum of five years of 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.Language Requirements
• Must be fluent in written and spoken English. Fluency in Arabic a strong advantage.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Core Values

• Care
• Respect
• Integrity
• Trust
• Accountability
• Sustainability

Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (I)
• Works Collaboratively with others (I)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (I)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (I)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (I)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (I)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (I)

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:

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate. 

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 encouraged to apply.

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.