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job description - Field Security Officer


  • 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 Chief, Security Operations Section at Headquarters, or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.
  • The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security, providing sound, wellreasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.  
  • The incumbent may directly supervise security personnel at the international or national level. The incumbent may, depending on the context, be expected to monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.
  • The Field Security Officer may, depending on the context, 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.
  • Undertake security risk assessments/ ad hoc Security Risk Managements (SRM) analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
  • Participate in the development or update of the SRM process for designated areas.
  • Evaluate existing Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement. Follow up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements.
  • Monitor compliance with standards established through the Security Risk Management process.
  • Ensure gender considerations are included in the SRM processes and that SRMMs are appropriate. At a minimum these must include security briefings, travel advisories and the development and update of the Aide Memoire for Response to Gender-Based Security Incidents
  • Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contributing to the 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 manager, regional security coordinator and FSS.
  • Participate in and support activities to advise on Programme Criticality assessment process.
  • As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern 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 and other stakeholders to ensure effective information sharing.
  • Maintain and enhance lines of communication with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UNSMS Security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood. Actively contribute to the Security cell and support the UNSMS.
  • Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens.
  • Provide country-relevant, security advice and training which is 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 regional Senior Security Coordinator and FSS.
  • Maintain linkages with the Psychosocial Well Being Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
  • Undertake other security-related functions or responsibilities as delegated by the supervisor.
  • Assist in building the capacity of national field security personnel by providing mentoring, on the coaching and other forms of guidance
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 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, Security Risk Management, Security and Safety certification, WSAT ToT

Relevant Job Experience:
Essential:

  • Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable:

  • Proven competences in security analysis. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working within or with humanitarian NGOs.  Experience in implementing gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes.
  • Relevant training (first aid, WSAT, SSAFE, presentation skills, training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience of effectively handling gender-based security incidents.
  • Experience of 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-Security Analysis.

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.

Living and Working Conditions

  • The FSO will be based in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State and the job requires travelling within the same state as well as to Adamawa and Yobe states which are part of the jurisdiction covered by the Sub Office.
  • The area of operations is usually hot with temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year with only some rare exceptions during the rainy season. Under normal circumstances, Maiduguri has access to all necessary food supplies. 
  • Access to running water, power, cooking gas, fuel, phone communications and internet is available but can be interrupted due to unreliable infrastructure hence the need for back-ups. 
  • The city is fairly big but has limited opportunities for entertainment during time off. While there is no imposed curfew in the city, UNHCR movements are done in official vehicles and are highly discouraged at night time.
  • The residential arrangement is at UNHCR Guesthouse that is exclusive for the use of UNHCR and some few other UN staff members. Maiduguri is approximately 2 hours flight from Abuja. In order to facilitate access to targeted areas, UNHCR exercises some limited presence in volatile environments and favors delivery through national NGOs and other partners.
  • The Security challenges predominantly derived from the terrorist threat with exposure to armed attacks while present in the Humanitarian Hubs. 
  • Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) are also responsible for recurrent kidnappings mainly for ramson but at times for political gain. Armed Conflict is also present in the area with Government Security Forces confronting the threat posed by the NSAGs.  While armed conflict is more predominant outside Maiduguri, there have been a few incidents of NSAGs targeting Security Forces in the environs of Maiduguri Airport.  It is assessed that the mentioned security threats will remain current in 2023.


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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a Nonprofit organisation dedicated to saving lives and protecting the rights of refugees around the world.

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