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).

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.

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 is required. Knowledge in other UN languages is an asset.