Security Specialist, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, P-3

Job Description

The Position:

The Security Specialist is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and reports to the Representative and coordinates the day-to-day security activities and maintains a line of communication with the Office of Security Coordinator (OSC) at the Regional and HQ levels on all technical and security policy issues. She/he assists the Representative in implementing the security-related functions and provides leadership and advice to the Country Office (CO) personnel on all aspects of planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of CO security activities. The Security Specialist cooperates closely with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and other Agency Funds and Programmes Security Officer(s).
How the Security Specialist can make a difference:

UNFPA is the leading UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025) focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths, end unmet need for family planning, and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire, and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to delivering excellence in Programme results.
Job Purpose:

The post holder will advise on the protection of, and minimizing the risk to, UNFPA staff, eligible dependents, property, and operations in all locations and, at the same time enable UNFPA Programme delivery throughout Ethiopia. This will be achieved through:

• Advising that UNFPA security support features in the programming process at the country office level as well as in the case of each individual project, from project identification, planning, budgeting, implementation, and right through to monitoring and evaluation.
• Strengthening the security arrangements of UNFPA and maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel.
• Support and advice on the UNFPA programmes and operations in high-risk areas. It is only through rigorous support of policy understanding, risk mitigations, and, where necessary, security training.
• Providing security support to the Country Office and programme to ensure continuous facilitation of the safety and security of UNFPA staff/personnel, enabling safe UNFPA Programme delivery and activities within the context of UNFPA’s development role while working within the UNSMS and UNFPA security policy and framework.
• Protect and minimize the risk to UNFPA staff, project personnel, property, and operations in all locations and enable UNFPA Programme delivery throughout the duty station and in Sub-Offices/Field Offices where UNFPA has a footprint.
• Strengthen the security arrangements of UNFPA offices, sub-offices (field and project offices), and residences.

Security Specialist will be responsible for:

Programming:

• Provide security policy guidance and security management support to the Country Representative and CO management team, enabling effective Programme planning, implementation, and delivery within the framework of all UN security policies and procedures.
• Mainstreaming of security into all levels of Programme design, implementation, and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects and programmes providing innovative and proactive support, direction, and solutions, where required.
• Review the impact of current and future potential security factors and trends on UNFPA planning, Programme design, and delivery, as well as the possible impact that Programme design might have on the stability and security, ensuring that possible support needs are identified, and improvements are implemented.
• Liaise and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation, and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UNFPA staff as the highest priority.
• Take necessary actions to protect and minimize risk factors to UNFPA staff, project personnel, property, and operations in all locations and, at the same time, enable UNFPA Programme delivery throughout:
  • Maintaining and developing the security network of international and national security personnel.
  • Participating as a member of the security cell established by DSS in the country.

Threat and Risk Assessment: 

• Conduct a threat and risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UNFPA projects are implemented to identify, plan, and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures.
• Contribute/Support and coordinate with UNDSS in preparing a comprehensive threat and risk assessment of the country to include all locations where UNFPA personnel, dependents, equipment, and operations are present.
• Support the UNFPA Representative with inputs to the Security Management Team, attend the SMT meetings as an Observer and the Security Cell meetings as a member
• Support local UNFPA travel units/functions with risk assessments related to travel – air, road, river, etc.
• Review all security clearance requests and provide necessary recommendations and advisory  for UNFPA personnel traveling to HIGH and VERY HIGH-RISK areas to ensure requests are in compliance with the Programme Criticality, Residual Risk decision-making process and SRM measures are in place.

Security Plan and Business Continuity

• Work closely with UNDSS to ensure that UNFPA procedures conform to the UN security framework.
• Provide inputs and coordinate with UNDSS in establishing, maintaining, and updating the country-specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with the UNSMS Security Policy Manual.
• Ensure that all UNFPA personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective duty stations (including UNFPA Field Coordination offices) being prepared by UNDSS.
• Update the UNFPA component within the country-specific security plan and contingency plans in coordination with UNDSS.
• Coordinate with UNDSS mandatory security training courses and if necessary, provide UNFPA security wardens’ and other required training in line with the Country Security Plan.
• Provide security-related contributions to the CO Business Continuity Plan, with guidance from the RSA/OSC.
• Actively participates in the design and revisions of the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) of the Ethiopia Country Office and supports the Senior Management in leading the implementation of the BCP.

SRM/RSM compliance:

• Ensure that all UNFPA personnel and equipment are SRMM and RSM compliant.
• Ensure that Country Office management is briefed sufficiently on security requirements to make decisions and provide adequate resources so that staff members are provided with and proficient in the use of safety and security equipment, including communications equipment, vehicle emergency equipment, and personal protective equipment required for work in the field.
• Coordinate and operationalize internal communication systems to integrate UNFPA communications into the appropriate UN Security Communications System.
• Provide advice on selecting and procuring appropriate equipment for security (PPE, vehicles, telecommunications equipment, etc.)
• Provide advice to the operations manager and senior management on the security of transportation and logistics.
• Provide orientation and training to international and national staff members on security guidelines and Security SOPs.
• Coordinate with DSS 24-hour response to all security-related incidents involving UNFPA staff/personnel and eligible dependents.
• In coordination, liaise security matters with UNDSS and controlling authorities on behalf of the Country Representative.

Information Management:

• Provide timely and accurate security advice to the UNFPA Management, Programme managers, project managers, visiting missions, and visiting consultants.
• Immediately report all security-related incidents involving UNFPA staff/personnel and eligible dependents to the Country Representative, RSA, and UNDSS in the country.
• Ensure that UNFPA Programme staff/personnel get situation reports and other appropriate security-related information generated by UNDSS in a timely and efficient manner.
• In cooperation with the Human Resources (HR) unit, maintain and update UNFPA staff lists, including details of visiting missions and consultants.
• In coordination with UNDSS, establish good relationships with national law enforcement, military, and civil intelligence authorities (whenever deemed necessary), counterparts in the Diplomatic Missions, and municipal/civic/traditional leaders.
• In coordination with UNDSS, coordinate investigations of injuries/death of a staff/family member under suspicious and unclear circumstances.
• Participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.

Funds Management:

• Monitors that all projects/programmes contribute resources to implementing security measures.
• Formulate and manage the annual safety and security work plan and related budget and initiate budget revisions.
• Ensures that allotted funds (related to safety and security) are budgeted in the ERP system in a timely fashion.
• Ensure that costs and expenditures (related to safety and security) remain within budgeted and approved limits by monitoring monthly ERP system reports.

Resource Mobilization:

• Ensure that the security cost of doing business is included in all appeals/proposals/concept notes and project descriptions.
• Provide inputs related to UNFPA personnel and programme safety and security to donor reports, if required.

Office and Residential Security:

• Coordinate with UNDSS and conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNFPA premises and equipment and advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions.
• Lead on developing and implementing office security requirements for Country Office, field offices and UNFPA-implemented projects offices.
• Establish and implement access control mechanisms (visitor/vehicle screening) as necessary for UNFPA and project offices based on the SRM.
• Represent UNFPA security interests in any common premises that UNFPA occupies ensuring that staff safety and security are the primary consideration.
• Coordinate with UNDSS the RSM assessments for UNFPA International personnel and advise on RSM implementation.

General: 

• The Security Specialist will, in consultation with the Country Representative, respond to requests from the DO/DSS, to perform UN system related security tasks.
  • Perform any other tasks assigned by the UNFPA Country Representative or Regional Security Advisor.
  • Maintain an ongoing evaluation of air and land evacuation routes and resources for use in emergencies, coordinating the availability of vehicles, aircraft, fuel supply, and accessible roads.
• Coordinate and draft periodic incidental reports and oversee drafting weekly/bi-weekly security situation reports.
• Prepare first draft briefs, notes, reports, studies, and recommendations on critical safety and security issues of interest for senior management decision-making.
• Report all incidents to the Rep/HoO and OSC and review first draft after-action reports following all incidents.
• Advises, supervises, and maintains office security by coordinating and conducting physical security inspections of facilities.
• Check that the relevant information contained in the Security Plan has been properly distributed to all staff and that key individuals are aware of and capable of performing all required actions.
• Conduct security training in the security management system, responsibilities, and any subjects relevant to prevailing needs.
• Coordinate Warden training and exercises and ensure the telecommunication / Wardens tree is operational.
• Ensure that fire safety equipment is available and operational on the premises, maintain a fire evacuation plan, and coordinate fire drills and training as necessary.
• Coordinate protection detail for senior officials as necessary.

Any Other Duties

• Perform any other security/safety duties as required by the Representative and/or Head of Office.

Qualifications and Experience 

Education and Experience:  

• Master’s Degree preferably in Business Administration, Political/Social Science, Psychology, Military Science, Law Enforcement, or similar fields. A bachelor’s degree plus a military or police academy diploma would be relevant.
• At least five (5) years of experience in the relevant field. Ability to work closely with UN counterparts, government officials, implementing partners (IPs), NGOs, and any other multilateral institutions.

Knowledge 

• UNDSS/UNSMS Security Professional Certification (SCP) desirable.
• Practical and professional experience in the military, police, security or humanitarian work.
• Formal training in security risk management.
• Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset.
• Ability to expeditiously learn, understand, and implement Country specific United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) policies and procedures.
• Excellent knowledge of the UNSMS, combined with a solid understanding of how to work/operate in Humanitarian settings, particularly Ethiopia.
• Ability to effectively deal with stress factors typically encountered in security management.
• Good technical skills to understand and consolidate the varying specializations such as electronics, communications, and other matters that may impact staff safety and security.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with missions leadership, security officers in other organizations, specialists in other fields related to security, representatives of local and national governments, and the non-government community, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  Must be prepared to work in a hardship, highly pressurized, and sometimes hazardous environment.

Languages:

•  Fluency in English required. Knowledge in other UN languages is an asset.

Required Competencies:

Values:

• Integrity – An ability to work honestly, openly, impartially, and in accordance with the values of the United Nations.
• Professionalism – An ability to work in a calm, competent, and committed manner; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results.
• Respect for Diversity – An ability to work effectively, respectfully, and inclusively with people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives.

Core Competencies: 

• Communications
• Teamwork
• Planning & organizing
• Accountability
• Client
• Creativity
• Commitment to Learning.

Functional Competencies:

• Advocacy/ Advancing a policy-oriented agenda.
• Leveraging the resources of national governments and partners/ building strategic alliances and partnerships.
• Delivering results-based programmers.
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilization.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA’s workforce – click here to learn more.
Compensation and Benefits 
This position offers an attractive remuneration package, including a competitive net salary plus the cost of health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.