Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
(UNAMA). The Chief Security Officer (CSO) reports through the Principal Security Adviser (PSA) to the Designated Official. The incumbent shall be accountable and responsible for all operations related to the security and safety of UNAMA personnel, eligible dependents and properties at the duty station in accordance with the terms outlined in the Reference.

The CSO is responsible to the PSA to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the UNAMA Security Section. As the Deputy Principal Security Adviser (DPSA), the incumbent is also responsible to support the PSA in ensuring the safety, security and well-being of the United Nations in Afghanistan. The DPSA will undertake the PSA’s responsibilities when the PSA is not in-country.

Responsibilities

Summary of Main Functions:
The CSO is to undertake all security management functions for UNAMA, in relation to the United Nations Security Management System, and will execute his/her security responsibilities to enable/facilitate the delivery of UNAMA programs and activities, whilst ensuring the safety and security of UNAMA personnel. Under the general direction of the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security (USG UNDSS) and the Designated Official (DO) for Afghanistan, the incumbent, through the PSA, will also serve as Deputy Principal Security Advisor (DPSA). This includes responsibilities in regard to the safety, security and well-being of all United Nations personnel and their dependents, while enabling effective operations in the field.

Responsibilities:
The CSO shall perform his/her specific duties relating to the UNAMA Mission and will formally assist and support the PSA in the efficient discharge of his/her duties and detailed responsibilities.

These duties include;

• Budget preparation by the Mission in relation to the security component of the Mission’s budget estimates,

• Recruitment, deployment and performance management of Mission security personnel, ensuring the Security Section is properly staffed and compliant with all relevant human resources rules and regulations;

• Application of performance management and career management of the Mission’s safety and security workforce;

• Identification of training and associated budget requirements for the Mission’s safety and security workforce;

• Serve as primary advisor to the Mission on all aspects of safety and security management, cross utilization of security assets, crisis readiness and preparedness that affect civilian staff members, dependents, their facilities, assets and operations of the Mission; and

• Application of the United Nations Security Management System policies to the Mission.

The CSO’s duties and responsibilities also include direct support to the Principal Security Advisor (PSA) in:

• Supervising all Units within the Security Section in the efficient discharge of their duties;

• Participating in the Security Coordination Cell so that all security officers working for different UN and affiliated organizations at the duty station, including mission appointed security officers, work together to further inter-agency security coordination;

• Assisting with country-specific threat and risk assessment processes with particular emphasis on the introduction of a risk management methodology that is fully integrated with programming and operations, including the implementation of risk mitigation measures;

• Overseeing the collection, interpretation and analysis of security information, as it pertains to the security of UN system staff and operations, including the identification of problems and emerging trends, and the establishment of country-specific early-warning systems;

• Ensuring that security considerations are integrated into the mission country level programmes and operational planning, programme/project designs and delivery modalities, including required security management and response capabilities and resources;

• Establishing and coordinating an efficient 24-hour Emergency Response System; and coordinating with UN agencies operating in the area of responsibility of the field mission;

• Monitoring and evaluating office physical security measures, and conducting security surveys of installations and facilities; and coordinating the implementation of security arrangements by the guard force management, as recommended by the security risk assessment;

• Responsible for premises and residence related assessments and measures, including developing and implementing the Residential Security Measures and promoting understanding and support for security requirements, standards and procedures;

• Overseeing adherence to security policies and procedures, including preparation, maintenance
and updating of country-specific security and contingency plans; supervising compliance and
implementation of security standards;

• Establishing and maintaining dialogue with UN focal points, local authorities and international organizations to coordinate efforts in the event of natural disasters and during mass casualty incidents; and coordinating the response to emergency and crisis situations;

• Overseeing the establishment of 24-hour response mechanisms to security-related incidents involving UN staff and oversees establishment/maintenance of fully functional emergency communications system;

• Maintaining liaison with various mission components and specialized UN agencies, international organizations, relevant government agencies, as well as embassies and
NGOs;

• Establishing and maintaining contacts with national security agencies with a view to obtaining the best possible protection for staff members;

• Ensuring that the PSA is kept regularly updated in a timely manner on security developments, and that required reporting is competed in a timely and efficient manner;

• Undertaking direct investigations involving the death of a staff member/family member under suspicious or unclear circumstances, including the investigation of abductions and other staff consequences.

• Directing an in-country security training programme to ensure that all staff members employed by the Mission and their dependents receive local security training, as required;

• Supporting VIP visits and delegations in coordinating logistical and administrative support to the delegation; and

• Obtaining, studying and implementing all security policy promulgated by the Inter-Agency Security Management Network;

• Undertaking any other duties assigned by the PSA.

Competencies

Professionalism:
Excellent knowledge of security management, combined with solid background of military, police of security specialization; knowledge, understanding and ability to manage security challenges in conflict and post-conflict environments; ability to appropriately manage multiple and divers security units; 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; always acts ethically and with integrity; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Communication:
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills in managing a security operation. Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing

Judgment and Decision-making:
Ability to make quick decisions in emergencies or when rapid response is required; identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; takes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in political/social science, international relations, law enforcement and/or business management (with a focus on security management). A first level University degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and two additional years of qualifying experience in a related area may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Graduates of Police/Military War Colleges and Senior Staff Colleges may also be considered. Additional certification in related security fields an asset.

For this specific position, certification in UNDSS Hostage Management Incident (HIM) training is required.

UN Department of Safety and Security certification in any of the following is desirable: Security Certification Programme, Security Analysis Practice and Process, Hostage Incident Management.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience, at least 4 years of which should be in command or leadership position, in a special political mission with proven experience in managing crisis situations. Minimum of 4 years’ experience in the United Nations security management system and at least 2 years of experience serving in a special political mission and/or peacekeeping mission is required.

Experience in management of security units and staffing in a multi-cultural, integrated mission and conflict or post-conflict environment; security planning, management of security operations and security risk assessments; development of standard operating procedures; conduct of physical security assessments; coordination with local authorities and law enforcement agencies; development/management of emergency communication systems; crisis management, hostage incident management, security administration, and logistics for security in a conflict or post-conflict environment is desirable.

Experience having served in the Middle East or a similar security environment at the management level is desirable.

Prior experience of working as Deputy Chief Security Adviser, at the management level, in multiple high-risk duty stations is desirable.

Experience in planning, design, implementation, or review of risk mitigation measures related to operations impacted by insecurity is required.

Experience in using applied analytics, business intelligence and information management to advance, strategies, decisions, and execution is required.

Languages

English is the official working language of the United Nations in Afghanistan. For this particular position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.