Civil unrest in Bangladesh is becoming more frequent and including the recent nationwide student protests, there is a history of  violent protest and resulting clashes. Mostly driven by the socio-political developments (anti-government) rallies led to clashes with police, vandalism, arson attacks targeting government/party locales, transport, and leaders’ residences.

Following the High Court’s verdict on 5 June 2024, a nationwide student-led movement emerged, demanding quota reform after the Supreme Court revived a 30% quota for descendants of freedom fighters, reversing 2018 reform. The protests, which began at Dhaka University on 1 July under the banner of “Students Against Discrimination,” grew rapidly, spreading to other educational institutions and smaller cities. The situation escalated significantly from 16 July, with nationwide demonstrations leading to six reported deaths on that day.

Following Hasina’s resignation, interim Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus was appointed, and opposition leader Begum Khaleda Zia was released from house arrest. The end of Hasina’s rule was marked by both celebrations and violence targeting former government members and Awami League supporters. Mobs targeted minority Hindu communities, vandalizing properties and religious sites, and causing many to attempt fleeing to India unsuccessfully.

Recent measures by the interim government, including discussions with student and opposition groups, have somewhat reduced protests and violence. The formation of the interim government was seen as an opportunity for reform, but the security situation remains volatile. However, the underlying sociopolitical tensions and economic challenges persist and in fact are increasing in the face of the more and more ardent demands by these student and opposition groups for an immediate change and replacement of the interim government with a student led one. Now, there are concerns about potential future clashes between political factions or with security forces.

While the Bangladesh Host Government has the primary responsibility for the security and protection of personnel employed by United Nations Security Management System organizations (to include UNDP), their eligible family members, and property, the UNDP Bangladesh Country Office security team, in collaboration with the UNDP Security Office and regional security personnel, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UNDP programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments. However, at present, the UNDP BD Security Unit is understaffed and cannot fully and adequately support all of the current and potential security needs of the UNDP BD, especially in light of the real possibility of a renewal of civil unrest associated with failure to meet student group and opposition demands and the upcoming 2025 national elections.

Therefore, to strengthen and improve the current security arrangements of UNDP, it is immediately necessary that a Security Assistant be hired to directly support the incumbent Country Office Security Associate (COSA) with duty in each of the following three regions: Khulna, Cox’s Bazar and Rangamati. Under the immediate supervision of the COSA, the  Security Assistant will provide assistance in the implementation of the security plan and all matters relating to safety and security operations and management in each respective area.  Each Security Assistant will report to the COSA for all functional security matters, while at the same time will report to the respective regional Program Manager (either in Khulna, Cox’s Bazar or Rangamati) for all daily security related activities in support of those projects in the respective regions. It is important to note that the Security Assistant is a local national with vocational experience in security who must always conduct his/her functions in close cooperation with UNDSS and under the direct supervision of and be accountable to the UNDP COSA and the respective regional Programme Manager.

• Provide support to security risk management for UNDP Programmes and activities in designated areas.
• Gather and organize information on security factors that are relevant to the design and delivery of UNDP programmes.
• Assist in conducting segments of security assessments and gather information on latest trends and threats to personnel safety and security, as requested.
• Assist in implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches to address specific threats or vulnerabilities in alignment with security assessment results and procedures.
• Gather inputs for preparation of country security documents covering areas where UNDP personnel, dependents and equipment are present.

Perform assigned activities to support implementation of the Country Security Plan, Contingency Plans and Business Continuity Management, and the UN Security Framework:

• Help in the preparation and updating security aspects of procedures for dealing with emergencies involving UNDP personnel and operations.
• Coordinate closely with HR Unit to ensure the personnel lists provided to UNDSS are kept up-to-date.
• Provide support in organizing training courses and briefings on security awareness and preparedness for UNDP personnel and provide security orientation to newly assigned personnel, as requested.
• In coordination with HR, monitor UNDP personnel security training compliance.
• Liaise with UNDP administration when preparing for procurement of security equipment and supplies, and other logistics.

Assist in monitoring security compliance of UNDP premises and international personnel residences within assigned areas of responsibility:

• Gather information relevant to the implementation and assessment of security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises.
• Maintain liaison with commercial companies used for UNDP security at offices and residences to ensure deployment of security resources are consistent with contract requirements.
• Assist in monitoring and assessing the safety and security preparedness of country offices and international personnel residences.

Sharing Information:

• Immediately report all security and safety related incidents involving UNDP personnel to the COSA or DRR, in the absence of the COSA.
• Assist to ensure that UNDP personnel are provided with situation reports and other appropriate security related information by UNDP or UNDSS, as required.
• Assist in the preparation of UNDP security reports, such as the Incident Reports and Weekly Reports.
• Support the COSA in collecting and updating information with regards to security issues and communicating them to key interlocutors.
• Encourage an exchange of security related information with UNDP project personnel.

Provide support in keeping UNDP management and personnel informed on security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the Country office and its personnel:

• Gather information for inclusion in Country Office security reports.
• Respond to and assist in reporting safety and security incidents affecting UNDP personnel and eligible dependents by gathering and verifying security information relevant to analyzing the situation.
• Maintain a database on UNDP security contact details and the list of UNDP Security Focal points.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.

General assistance to the COSA:

• Maintain routine and confidential correspondence files/documents related to security issues.
• Take minutes and/or notes at UNDP Security meetings.
• Assist in implementation of Business Continuity Management, as required.

Other tasks:

• Carry out checks on safety equipment and fire extinguishers.
• Perform field missions, as required.
• Perform other security-related tasks assigned by the COSA and/or DRR.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Security Assistant works under the direct supervision of Country Office Security Associate for all security matters and under the secondary supervision of the regional Program Manager in either in Khulna, Cox’s Bazar or Rangamati for all daily security related activities in support of those projects in the respective regions.

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

• Experience in military, security or police operations.
• Knowledge of HF and VHF radio operation.
• Specialized security training/courses are desirable.
• Understanding of security management concepts and principals is desirable.
• Prior experience with the international development organization security system or an international NGO is desirable.
• Ability to travel frequently.
• Physically Fit.

• Fluency in English and Bangla is required.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements