JOB DESCRIPTION

D

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Yaounde, Cameroon

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-23

August 8, 2025

Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Field Security Officer reports to the manager, who may be, according to context, the Representative/Chief of Mission or Head of Office within a country operation, the Senior Field Security Officer; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; the Head of Security Operations Unit at Headquarters, or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.

The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security, providing sound, well- reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.

The incumbent may directly supervise security personnel. The incumbent may, depending on the context, be expected to monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.

The Field Security Officer may be expected to travel on mission to multiple duty stations to provide advice and support to the local manager as agreed in mission terms of reference.

All UNHCR personnel are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, personnel are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Advise and support the manager on all aspects of security risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness with regard to maintaining the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, operations, and facilities.
• Participate in the development or update of the Security Risk Management (SRM) process for designated areas and undertake security risk assessments/ad hoc SRM analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
• Monitor compliance with standards established through the SRM process.
• Ensure person-centered approaches are included in the SRM processes and that Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) are appropriate. Develop and update all relevant tools and processes to respond to gender-based security incidents.

• Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contribute to the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) plans and planning for relocation/evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies, test plans in exercises or drills to ensure that personnel are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them effectively in an emergency.

• Ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
• Coordinate and assist in management of critical incidents and post-incident processes reporting to the manager, Senior Field Security Coordinator and FSS.
• As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
• Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including Host Government law enforcement authorities, the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UNSMS security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood.
• Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the country’s Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC), and Wardens actively participating in relevant security cell representing UNHCR.

• Provide country-relevant, security advice and training which is person-centered and gender inclusive to UNHCR personnel, and where feasible to staff of NGOs and Partners in areas In line with UNSMS and UNHCR standards. Coordinate training with security management training unit of the Global Learning Development Centre.
• Prepare periodic analytical reports on security issues in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and as relevant the Senior Field Security Coordinator in the region and Field Security Section (FSS).

• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision-making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Security;                                                          Security Management;                     Business Administration;                 

Political Science;                                            Social Science;                                 International Relations;                    

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program,                     Security Risk Management,                              Safety and security,

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable

Proven experience in security analysis, security management or security training. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working in or with humanitarian NGOs. Experience in implementing person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes. Relevant training (first aid, Women’s Security Awareness Training (WSAT), Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE), presentation skills, facilitation of training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience in  effectively handling gender-based security incidents. Experience in delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills

*FS-Security risk management

*FS-Field Security Operations

*FS-Security Planning

*FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management

FS-Crisis negotiation and ManagementFS-Security Analysis

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The selected candidate must possess extensive experience in field operations, particularly within complex, emergency, or high-risk environments. Prior exposure to hardship duty stations is highly desirable. The role requires a high degree of autonomy, with the ability to manage responsibilities independently while demonstrating strong situational judgment.

S/he should have proven expertise in advocacy and negotiation, particularly in engaging with local authorities, communities, humanitarian and development partners. The incumbent must be able to represent the organization credibly in the field and actively contribute to coordination forums or inter-agency efforts.
In addition, the incumbent will be expected to exhibit proven ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues and develop innovative solutions, to support the voluntary repatriation and reintegration of returning CAR refugees from neighboring countries.

Given the challenging nature of the operational context, the candidate must exhibit a proactive and mature approach, be resilient, and demonstrate the capacity to work effectively under pressure and in stressful situations.
• Team and People Management: The incumbent will be responsible for overseeing small field teams across various locations in CAR. Therefore, a demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and support staff including remotely is required. Experience in capacity building and performance monitoring, guiding field staff in implementing activities in a dynamic operational context including in protracted and emergency situations will be considered a strong asset.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in French (both spoken and written) is essential. A working knowledge of English is also highly desirable given the UN operational environment.
• Substantial Field Experience in Similar Functions:
The incumbent should have extensive and relevant experience in field operations management, particularly within the UN system or a comparable international humanitarian organization. A solid track record of engagement in post-conflict, emergency, or high-insecurity contexts will be considered a major advantage.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

As substantial government-led efforts supported by MINUSCA and international partners are progressively allowing the reestablishment of state authority and control throughout the country, the Central African Republic (CAR) still faces persistent threats from yet, unreconciled armed groups, or from uncontrolled former elements of recently demobilized armed groups. These uncontrolled elements engage in widespread criminality across the country while the remaining active armed groups seek to gain political influence through military operations. In the far north (Bamingui-Bangoran and Vakaga only), the latter frequently try to form ad hoc coalitions to gain control of strategic localities, key road axes, and artisanal mining areas. They also engage in extortion and intimidation of the civilian population.

Bangui, the capital, particularly its suburbs, is affected by criminal activity and racketeering. Elsewhere in the country (e.g. Vakaga and Haut-Mboumou), armed groups often antagonize government authorities, target the international community—including MINUSCA—and carry out attacks against humanitarian actors. Their modus operandi includes armed attacks and ambushes against the FACA and MNUSCA, and sexual violence, looting, and kidnappings against the civilian population, which severely affects intercommunal relations. These groups typically justify their actions by claiming to protect specific ethnic or religious communities from perceived threats, thereby eroding social cohesion and deepening existing societal rifts.

In the medium term, improvement is hoped for in the security environment due to ongoing political dialogue and the DDR process setting the stage for peaceful and inclusive national elections in 2025. Most secondary road axes are classified as “Red,” meaning movement requires armed escorts. These escorts are provided by the MINUSCA Force, as national internal security forces (police and gendarmerie) face major constraints in terms of manpower and logistics. However, reliance on MINUSCA for armed escorts can sometimes result in delays and even cancellations of field missions, notably in the far north and southeast where security and logistics constraints are at a maximum.

Additional logistical challenges, such as limited accommodation at field locations and a restricted number of UNHAS flight seats allocated to each agency, can also contribute to delays or cancellations of missions. The deterioration of road infrastructure further exacerbates these issues, often resulting in prolonged travel times for field missions and increased safety risks for personnel. These poor road conditions also undermine compliance with Security Risk Management (SRM) measures in UNHCR FUs due to non-completion of building / construction or of office improvements. During the rainy season (June to November), most road movements are suspended altogether. During this period, the risk of road incidents, such as vehicles becoming stuck or delayed, increases substantially, which can put the safety and security of personnel at further risk.

The overall UN operational posture remains unchanged. Generally, UN personnel and assets have been impacted by hazards such as road traffic accidents, fires, and flooding—particularly in major towns across. In the short term, no major change is expected regarding the nature of safety incidents affecting UN staff, and partners.

During the dry season, the operational environment tends to become even more volatile, as non-state armed groups (NSAGs), criminals, other security personnel (OSPs), and some elements of state forces benefit from greater mobility and therefore to more frequent armed confrontations / clashes. Attempted ambushes of UN and partner vehicles by unidentified armed individuals should be anticipated, primarily aimed at stealing cash or valuable items. While kidnapping of humanitarian staff for ransom remains relatively infrequent, it is still considered a moderately likely threat. The need for armed escorts will continue to influence humanitarian access.

More broadly, UN staff, assets, and implementing partners in CAR continue to be viewed as high-value targets by unidentified armed individuals and criminal elements. In the event of such incidents, staff may be temporarily detained by perpetrators.

On the national security front, concerns persist regarding the capacity of the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and Internal Security Forces (ISF) to maintain effective control and provide security, especially in rural areas and in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. Poor road conditions and deteriorating bridges significantly limit the mobility of national defense and security forces, as well as the conduct of joint patrols.

Transhumance-related violence continues to plague several regions. Fulani herders are frequently targeted by criminal elements and unidentified armed individuals. In response, self-defense groups have formed to protect herders, while farming communities have also suffered retaliatory violence stemming from livestock theft. However, positive progress has been observed through the efforts of Community-Oriented Policing (CMOPs), which has successfully raised awareness among local populations on security issues, including peaceful transhumance practices.

Looking forward, the swift and full implementation of the 19 April 2025 agreement, which outlines the reintegration of the 3R and UPC armed groups into the APPR-RCA peace process, is  a critical step toward creating the conditions for greater peace and stability in the affected regions. The hope is that others, notably the FPRC and PRNC will follow suit in the near term.

Living and Working Conditions:

The country is landlocked and surrounded by countries with security problems (Chad, DRC, Sudan, and Cameroon). Volatile socio-political situation, social unrest, and grievance in Bangui with frequent civil servants strikes causing interruption of public services due to years of unpaid salaries. Power cuts are causing insecurity in town. The security situation across the country is still a concern as crimes (theft, abduction, armed robbery, carjacking, murder, illegal detention of weapons and illegal checkpoints/taxation, torture and sexual violence) continue throughout the country because of endemic poverty, easy access to weapons and the weak capacity or absence of judicial authorities in many areas.  However, the deployment of the FACA (Forces Armee nationals) in Bangui led to an improvement of the overall security situation. A curfew is established by the UN system from 10pm-5am. The country is totally dependent on Cameroon seaport for supplies. There are 4 airlines that operate to/from Bangui. As an example, travel time from Douala to Bangui for a truckload averages 4 days to a week due to bad roads and roadblocks.

There are very limited medical infrastructures and services do not function properly. A UN clinic provides basic medical care for UN personnel. The entire country is a High-Risk non-family duty station-D with 6 weeks R&R cycle. The entire International Professional staff and IUNVs are eligible for R&R.

A few hotels cleared by DESS are available. Private accommodations are available for expats. A few supermarkets are also available selling all sorts of goods. Vegetables and fruits are also available on the local market.Although ATM are available ( 5 ATM in town)  and VISA is accepted in Bangui, most of the payments for example in hotels or markets are done in cash.

 

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Security, Bachelor of Arts: Security Management, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Safety and Security – Other, Security Management Learning Program – Other, Security Risk Management – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance