Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is in the Security and Safety Section of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) in Goma. Goma is classified as “D” category and is a non-family duty station. The Close Protection Officer reports to the Chief Security Officer or equivalent on all close protection coordination issues. The technical line of communication is maintained with the UN Department of Safety and Security, Protection Coordination Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the general supervision of the Chief Security Officer (CSO) the Close Protection Coordination Officer (Detail Leader) at the FS-6 level will carry out the following duties:

• Advises the Chief Security Officer or equivalent on close protection operations of the mission;
• Responsible for developing the standard operating procedures and security risk assessments within which the Close Protection Units will deploy;
• Coordinates close protection planning in accordance with UN close protection policy, guidance and standard operating procedures;
• Develops protocols on the security coordination requirements for official travels of Senior UN Offi-cials within the host country or abroad, in conjunction with the Chief Security Officer or equivalent and host country authorities;
• Manages the Close Protection Unit (CPU) in accordance with UN close protection guidance;
• Gathers and analyses information relevant to the tactical level of close protection operations, in coordination with the relevant security units and Chief Security Officer or equivalent;
• Assists in the preparation of the threat and tactical risk assessments reports recommending close protection specialized mitigating measures based on the threat identified;
• Implements mitigation strategies to deter or deny any identified threat to preserve the security, safety and wellbeing of the Senior UN Officials;
• Produces and coordinates his/her unit operational plans, exercises, and reviews courses of action in conjunction with the assessed threat and in accordance with UN close protection policy, guidance and standard operating procedures;
• Conducts all close protection operations as outlined by the UN close protection policies and guidelines;
• Establishes and deploys close protection teams tactically trained to meet the assessed threat;
• Ensures that close protection operations are conducted in accordance with UN methodology and standards;
• Within delegated authority, liaises with relevant host country civilian police, military, law enforcement officials and others as necessary;
• Coordinates with other mission security, military and/or police components and support services;
• Accompanies the Senior UN Official during official travels and/or coordinates all related security requirements;
• Prepares regular operational reports with analysis and recommendations;
• Establishes clear lines of authority between members of the CPU;
• Provides risk briefings to Senior UN Officials and security managers on close protection concerns for the official travels or daily activities;
• Ensures effective and efficient security coverage for the working office and personal residence of the Senior UN Official;
• Determines equipment, facility and supply needs based on operational requirements;
• Plans, coordinates and conducts close protection training and exercises to ensure that operational readiness and competencies are maintained to UN standards;
• Maintains a training calendar/roster in coordination with the Security Training Unit to ensure all personnel are given opportunity to meet annual certification requirements;
• Supervises the performance of individual team members;
• Establishes a rotational schedule for CPU team members, in and out of the unit;
• Identifies gaps in existing capability and makes recommendations where necessary;
• Supervises the monitoring the equipment of teams and ensures minimum equipment requirements are supplied, maintained and deployed in accordance with relevant policy;
• Coordinates with the Chief Security Officer or equivalent in drafting the Statements of Requirement and provides technical specifications for the procurement of unit and team equipment;
• Provides inputs related to close protection to the mission’s budget proposal;
• Performs other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
• Heads of Security and other security staff in Headquarters and field missions;
• Close Protection Security Officers in other UN agencies involved in peacekeeping and other field missions;
• Staff in the Office of the Senior UN Official;
• Directors/Chiefs of Mission Support;
• Heads of military and UN police components;
• Project Managers and other project personnel;
• Local security officials;
• Security officials of other national and international organizations.

Results Expected:
• Effective management of the CPU and close protection operations within the mission;
• Proper implementation of the SOPs in accordance with the UN standards in close protection.

Competencies

• Professionalism:
Excellent knowledge of close protection technique combined with a solid background of military, police or security specialization; well-developed analytical skills; able to recognize and evaluate the seriousness of threats; capacity to effectively coordinate close protection operations; ability to effectively deal with stress factor when encountered in security management and close protection operations; 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.

• Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Judgment and Decision Making:
Identifies the key issues in complex situation of close protection operations; 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; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

UNDSS Close Protection Officer Certification is required.

UNDSS Certification in any of the following is desirable: UN or other Security Officer Certification; Firearms Training Officer (FTO) Certification.

UNDSS Certification in the use of Emergency Trauma Bag (ETB) is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of work experience with high school diploma or equivalent technical or vocational certificate (five years with a first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in the military, police or security management is required.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience in close protection management, at least at the level of a close protection team leader or team leader with a national, private, or international security organization is required.

At least one (1) year’s experience and exposure at the international level and in a conflict or a post conflict environment is required.

At least five (5) years of experience and exposure of convoy protection in a conflict/post conflict environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English 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.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance 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.

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.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

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.