Field Security Officer -Shire, Ethiopia

Job Description

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.

This role requires understanding of complex field emergency operations, blast assessment/blast mitigation, security analysis, security risk management, operation activities in hardship duty stations with in-depth understanding of UN Organizational Regulatory frameworks, policies, processes. S/he should have a record of working with functionally and culturally diverse teams. Strong interpersonal, communication, analytical and diplomacy skills are mandatory for this position. In view of UN system-wide responses to the situation of internal displacement, the incumbent should have ability to collaborate with stakeholders, including Government authorities to effectively execute this function.. Having a consensus teambuilding and cultural sensitivity, on-the-job coaching and mentoring of staff is considered as an additional advantage. The incumbent should demonstrate a good English language knowledge both written and oral and a second UN language.

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 Office Shire. He/she will directly supervise one national staff. The incumbent provides advise and support to the Head of Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR staff, partners, operations, premises and refugees or persons of concern;  and undertakes periodic security assessments in close co-operation with UNHCR senior staff members and interagency partners, analyzing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes. He/she evaluates existing security measures to determine the appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement. He/she follows up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements. The incumbent assists in the development of plans for evacuation, medical evacuation, and other contingencies.

As a member of the multi-functional team, the incumbent contributes 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. He/she develops and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including host government law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders ensuring effective information sharing, regular and analysis to country managers. The incumbent maintains close co-operation with 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 programmatic activities requirements. He/she serves as member of the Areas Security management Team (ASMT) and may serve as advisor for Areas Security Coordinators (ASC) in the absence of UNDSS and maintain Warden systems in coordination with ASC.

Living and Working Conditions:

Staff member should be prepared to operate under challenging conditions with extremely limited resources. The staff members will be working within a city that has been isolated for almost two years due to the crisis which began in November 2020. The office deals primarily with several local camp environments with inherent risks to staff safety and health. Regardless of information campaigns, there are realistically few, or no COVID-19 protocols adhered to by the camp(s) population. Some staff wear masks but will often work within others who do not.

There is one general hospital in Shire offering limited services. Most pharmacies are open, even if they may experience limited availability of some medicine. Staff with prescriptions should come with at least 3 months of prescription medication. Staff are accommodated in one guest house and UNDSS-cleared hotels. The Guest bedrooms are ensuite. The kitchen is partly equipped. New cookers with oven have been provided recently. Shire town has power and water. However, services have been disrupted for some months and repairs are underway. Generators are available at the offices and guesthouses for limited hours. The office relies on VSAT for internet connectivity.

The currency used in operation area is the Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Ethiopia commercial bank has resumed operations fully. Clients can now withdraw up to 50,000 ETB a day. Inter-banks transfers are also operational. Foreign currency may only be changed at authorized banks. Exchange of foreign currency outside the regulated banks is a criminal offence, and international UN personnel caught by police exchanging money in such unregulated markets have been known to be arrested and detained for several days. Any entry or exit of cash more than US$3,000 or the equivalent in other foreign currencies) must be declared to the customs authority upon arrival. ATM cash withdrawals are currently unavailable in Shire. Internet service provided by Ethio telecom has resumed as well but with weak and poor connection.

Recently there is one regular flight between Addis Ababa and shire every day, but its unreliable due to overbooking. Staff members will depend on the UNHAS available flights to Shire and sometimes by road convoy through Mekelle or Samera and flight to Addis Ababa.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

• FS-Field Security Operations,
• FS-Safety and Security Training,
• FS-Security Analysis,
• FS-Security Operation-Critical Incident Management,
• FS-Security Risk Management

• 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: 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

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