CHIEF SECURITY OFFICER, P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

ECA’s mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission will be guided by ECA’s five strategic directions which are: advancing ECA’s position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent’s problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa’s position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The Department of Safety and Security is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the security management system to enable the safest and most efficient conduct of the programmes and activities of the United Nations System. This post is located in the Security and Safety Service (SSS) of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent reports to the Executive Secretary of the Commission. S/he will work under the overall technical supervision of the Director, Division of Headquarters Security and Safety Services (DHSSS), United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), New York. UNDSS is responsible for providing leadership, operational support, and oversight of the security management system to enable the safest and most efficient conduct of the programmes and activities of the United Nations System.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief, Security and Safety Service, may be responsible for the following duties:

• Reviews and monitors activities related to preparation of security plans for the UNECA premises including all aspects related to elaboration, development and updating of the plan and, if necessary, its implementation.
• Performs as Chief of the Security and Safety Service of UNECA and its senior supervisor.
• Advises the Executive Secretary of UNECA with regard to all security-related matters and participates in discussions and development of policies and procedures for security operations, contributing inputs related to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Establishes lines of communication with security focal points and all other agencies to ensure maximum security coordination.
• Serves as member of security management teams, contributing to planning, implementation, evaluation of effectiveness of security plans and other aspects of security operations.
• Maintains continuing awareness of prevailing local security conditions, identifying probable threats and advising UN staff, project personnel and dependents to follow appropriate preventative steps.
• Prepare security risk assessments for the UNECA Premises, which fall under the responsibility of the Executive Secretary. This also includes assessments for specific situations with security implications, such as conferences, meetings and VIP visits.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of physical security and safety installations in the framework of H-MOSS (Headquarters Minimum Operating Security Standards), including, but not limited to, emergency preparedness and security procedures, business continuity and crisis management planning, disaster recovery, building safety measures, fire prevention, evacuation planning. Develop and implement measures to mitigate identified risks.
• Establishes air, land and sea evacuation capability to be used in emergencies, ensuring availability of aircraft, vessels, railways, vehicles, fuel supply, assessable roads, ports and airfields.
• Monitors and evaluates office physical security measures, such as barriers, issuance of identity cards, background checks, and entry controls, as appropriate, for normal or emergency conditions.
• Evaluates effectiveness of prevailing fire safety measures in effect in UNECA premises, including fire prevention devices, fire-fighting equipment, and evacuation plans.
• Determines need for, and provides training and advice to UN staff and dependents on residential security measures such as window guards, alarm systems and locks to prevent burglar intrusions.
• Establishes and maintains dialog with local authorities and international institutions such as Red Cross/Red Crescent for coordination of efforts in the event of natural disasters.
• Ensures availability of emergency communications by making periodic checks to determine if system is functioning properly. Arranges for necessary repairs or adjustments.
• Establishes procedures for and supervises investigations and reporting of accidents involving UN vehicles and investigation of security-related incidents involving UN staff members, project personnel or eligible dependents.
• Assumes responsibility for guard force management, as assigned.
• Arranges protection detail for senior personnel or visiting VIP’s as necessary.
• Conducts and supervises security training for SSS staff.
• Perform as an Event Security Coordinator in external conferences as assigned by the Director, DHSSS.
• Conduct Peer Reviews of other SSS locations as directed by the Director, DHSSS.
• Perform other work-related duties, as required.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of security management combined with solid background of military or other security specialization and some political and social knowledge of country of assignment. Ability to deal effectively with stress factor when encountered in security management. Ability to apply technical skills to understand and consolidate the varying specializations such as electronics, communications, mechanics, explosives and other sophisticated devices encountered in security system management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• PLANNING& ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in security management, business administration, political/social science, psychology, international relations or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in military, police, security management preferably in the police or military context or related area is required.

Senior command or management experience in the public or private or corporate sector is required.

Experience conducting threat and risk assessments is required.

Experience coordinating security arrangements with military, police and other security forces is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.