Field Security Officer -Gambella, Ethiopia

Job Description

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential Location

Addis Ababa, Eth Fed Dem Rep

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2022-11-21-08:00

December 15, 2022

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 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, well- reasoned 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 Education & Professional Work Experience 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, 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 (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.

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.

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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:

The incumbent of the position is part of the Senior Management of the office and will directly be supervised by the Head of Sub-Office Gambella. He/she will directly supervise two national staff and technically supervises other two national staff assigned to other Field offices within the region. The incumbent provides advice and support to the Head of the Sub Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR staff, partners, operations, premises and refugees or persons of concern. Undertakes periodic security assessments in close cooperation with UNHCR senior staff members and interagency partners, analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes. He/she evaluates existing security measures to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement. Follows up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements. Assists in the development of plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies.

As a member of the 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.   Develops and maintains relationships with security-related actors, including host government law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders ensuring effective information sharing, regular feedback and analysis to country managers. Maintain close cooperation with the staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), ensuring UNHCR’s understanding of applicable requirements, cooperation in security assessments and planning and supporting UNDSS to understand the Agency’s programmatic activities requirements. The incumbent serves as a member of the Areas Security Management Team (ASMT) and may serve as an advisor for Areas Security Coordinators (ASC) in the absence of UNDSS and maintain Warden systems in coordination with ASC.

Key skills and competencies required for the position:

This role requires an understanding of complex field emergency operations, blast assessment/blast mitigation, security analysis, security risk management, and operation activities in hardship duty stations with an in-depth understanding of UN Organizational Regulatory frameworks, policies, and processes. S/he should have a track record of working with functionally and culturally diverse teams. Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical and diplomacy skills are a must for this position

Living and Working Conditions:

Gambella is a non-family duty station. UNHCR provides guesthouses for staff. There are limited banking facilities and limited medical facilities. There are daily commercial flights between Addis Ababa and Gambella. Ethiopia’s topography diversity has resulted in a wide variety of climates in the country. The climate in Gambella is classified as tropical. The hottest season of the region is in March/April; the temperature may rise to 45 °C, followed by a long rainy season. The road network within the region is often affected by heavy rainfall during the rainy season. The average annual temperature in Gambella is 27.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1148 mm. Due to its conditions, Gambella is a malaria-prone area amongst other tropical diseases. Internet and communications networks are available at the UNHCR compound. Remoteness, isolation and lack of entertainment in social life are factors to be considered before applying.

Gambella is classified as security level phase 3. The security situation in the Gambella region has seen a significant deterioration in early 2016, with clashes among ethnic groups. These types of tensions remain up to date, the most recent in January 2022 when armed separatist groups fought with government forces in Gambella town and resulted in heavy casualties. Armed bandits operating in border districts bordering South Sudan pose security challenges to the local communities and refugees. In addition to the mentioned threat, the newly emerged armed opposition group called Gambella Liberation Front (GLF) poses a high-security threat to the region. GLF is allied to Oromo Liberation Front (OLF shen) and has perpetrated several attacks in and around Gambella town. The rebel group does not target humanitarian workers but poses a high threat as it targets government security forces which always work together with Humanitarian organisations, including the UN and NGOs. Therefore, the current security situation in the entire Gambella region remains tense and unpredictable.  The increase of criminality in Gambella town linked to unemployment and associated violent crime is a constant factor. Police have been reporting housebreaking, violent street robbery and incendiarism-related criminal activities. Restrictions of movement are imposed on the movement of the staff members and the activities in the field, depending on the development of the security situation. The security setting is expected to remain the same with no major changes according to the current reading of the situation. Curfew time is from 19:00 to 06:00hrs in Gambella. Road accidents are very common in Ethiopia due to dangerous driving, drivers’ skills, and non-enforcement of traffic laws.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FO-Complex field emergency operations, FO-Operational activities in hardship duty stations, FS-Blast Assessment/Blast Mitigation, FS-Security Analysis, FS-Security Risk Management, UN-UN Organizational Regulatory frameworks, policies, processes

BA: Business Administration (Required), BA: International Relations (Required), BA: Military (Required), BA: Police Studies (Required), BA: Political Science (Required)

Certifications

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

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Bi-annual Compendium 2022 Part B – November 2022

This position requires Functional Clearance