JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

The Security Operations Centre (SOC) is a cost-shared resource established to support the safety and security of personnel, premises, assets and operations across organizations covered by the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS).

The SOC monitors, facilitates and coordinates security communications (voice and data) through the Security Communications System (SCS) within designated operational areas, and maintains administrative datasets that underpin communications readiness, including contact data for UNSMS personnel, offices, vehicles and emergency services.

The post provides essential support to UNDSS and partner entities by ensuring reliable communications, timely escalation and accurate record-keeping in support of security decision-making. The role can be fast-paced and demanding; the incumbent is required to respond promptly to calls for assistance, disseminate accurate instructions, and maintain composure while relaying critical information to UNSMS personnel and other authorised stakeholders.

The SOC Assistant forms part of a response and support function that materially contributes to the protection of UN personnel and continuity of UN operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide operational support

• Receive, transmit and relay security and safety messages on behalf of the Designated Official (DO), Security Adviser (SA), Deputy Security Adviser (DSA) and/or Field Security Associates (FSAs), using all approved communication channels in accordance with approved SOPs.
• On receipt of security or safety incident notifications, escalate through the defined channels for follow-up and support without delay, documenting actions in real time.
• Monitor movement of field missions via the SCS as defined by the Security Risk Management (SRM) process and SOPs, ensuring compliance with movement control and check-in requirements.
• Provide immediate support to UNSMS personnel involved in security or safety incidents by alerting response and support functions through the defined channels, maintaining continuous communication with affected personnel, and recording all related information and communications.
• Notify the relevant UNSMS organisation security focal points when their personnel are involved in security or safety incidents, and capture acknowledgements where required.
• Monitor usage of the SCS and enforce adherence to SOPs; guide personnel on appropriate protocols and radio/telephony discipline.
• Verify the operational status and serviceability of SCS equipment and platforms; promptly report anomalies to the designated authority and track remediation.
• Conduct personnel headcounts as instructed by the DO, SA, DSA, and/or FSA or per SOP, ensuring timely and accurate results.

Provide security administrative support

• Maintain contact and residence details of all UNSMS personnel and eligible family members (and, where applicable, implementing partner contacts), as well as contact details for premises and vehicles, in accordance with data protection requirements.
• Maintain current UN warden lists and distribution trees, ensuring regular validation and version control.
• Maintain contact details for response teams, emergency services, host-government counterparts, local authorities and contracted private security providers, direct personnel to the nearest appropriate service during incidents.
• Maintain records and logs of actions and communications in relation to incidents and other critical communications, ensuring accuracy, completeness and retrievability.
• Prepare and submit accurate, timely reports as directed by the Senior Security Professionals (SA/DSA).
• Perform other duties within the functional profile as directed by the Supervisor and/or Security Adviser/Deputy Security Adviser/FSAs.

Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Participate in training on internal procedures for the project staff and provide support to the organization of training and other capacity building activities as needed.
• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as directed by the Supervisor and/or Security Adviser/Field Security Associate.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the overall supervision of the UNDSS Security Adviser/Deputy Security Adviser, the SOC Assistant reports to the Field Security Associate related to security matters.

First Reporting Officer: – Field Security Associate

SRO and Overall Supervisor: – Deputy Security Adviser

Competencies Institutional Arrangement

Core

Achieve Results

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area
Name
Definition

Security Services
Security incident management & monitoring
Ability to provide adequate response to security incidents/events

Security Services
Security information management)
Analytical capabilities to process diverse security information and develop recommendations

Security Services
Safety and Security risk management
Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test safety and security plans. including ability to design and test safety and security plans

Business Management
Communication
Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Management
Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers” needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients” immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client”s upcoming needs and concerns.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum Education requirements: Secondary Education (G.C.E. A/L) is required. Or
University degree (bachelor’s degree equivalent) in Political Science, Military Studies, Security Management, Management or a relevant field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Applicable security, police and/or military training is desirable.

Minimum years of relevant work experience: Minimum of 4 years’ (with secondary education) or 1 year (with bachelor’s degree) of progressive relevant work experience related to security operational communications and direct interaction with a broad range of clients.

Required skills: Experience and good understanding of computer-based tools such as MS Office, and other computer-based, web and smartphone applications.
Experience and knowledge of safety and security as well as incident response protocols.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section: Prior working experience within the UN system, I/NGO, or another international organization is desirable.
Prior working experience in the Armed Forces/Police, Communication or IT related field is desirable.
Experience in Disaster Management or similar related field is preferred.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team and process is desired.
Demonstrate ability to work extra hours (if needed) and/or support the team in emergency situation(s) off the usual/planned working hours is desirable.
Experience with radio communications, satellite and web-based communications like bulk SMS servers is an asset.

Required Language(s): Fluency in English as well as Sinhala and/or Tamil languages is required.

Professional Certificates: Amateur Radio License, IT certificate(s), or Emergency Management course certificates are desirable.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.