Org. Setting and Reporting

UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for highly committed personnel wishing to make a change.

If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you.

The Field Security Officer reports to the Senior Field Security Officer, and receives technical guidance and advice from the Director/Chief of Security and Risk Management (DSRM)- HQ (Amman).

Responsibilities

– Develops, as required, security risk assessments outlining potential risks and recommends cost effective prevention and mitigation strategies towards improving the safety and security of the front-line Area Staff and the installations in the respective Field;

– Prepares comprehensive and context specific threat analysis and security risk assessments to include all area staff, locations, installations and activities in the assigned Field;

– Performs security risk assessments, both routine and exceptional, as required, to ensure optimal prevention and mitigation measures are in place, including personal security risk assessment preparation for the Field Director and alternate official on an annual and ad-hoc basis;

– Assists/provides inputs in coordination with Department of Security and Risk Management (DSRM), HQ (Amman) in the implementation, further development and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the security and risk management system with the objective to minimize risk in the contextual, programmatic and professional work-place risk categories for front line
Area staff.

– Reports on UNRWA security incidents as required and ensures that the Agency Security Incident Management System (SIMS) is fully implemented, kept up-to-date and reports filed properly; participates in the upgrading of the SIMS to provide critical information for analysis at the Field level and encourage incident reporting at the Camp and Area level in coordination
with assets on the ground;

– Participates in and provides safety and security inputs to operational and planning documents such as the Headquarters/ Field Implementation Plan and the Security and Risk Management Best Practices Guide; supports the identification of existing best practices on the ground on her/his Field of operations;

Security Plan and Safety and Security Requirements:

– Reviews safety and security arrangements for all offices and identified at most risk installations and maintains instructions such as security, contingency, emergency and evacuation plans as required; engages and builds office and installations managers’ capacity in relation to security arrangement of their pertained offices/installations;

– Prepares, maintains and updates the Field specific safety and security contingency plans in accordance with the United Nations Security Policy Manual that governs International staff and UNRWA risk management system for Area staff; coordinates and organizes emergency medical evacuation and convoy security procedures;

– Supports and supervises the implementation and adherence to the Camp Security Plan and coordinates capacity building efforts for relevant front line staff; guides and supervises Mobile Safety Officers in the completion and follow up of the same;

– Ensures that all new International and Area staff personnel receive briefings upon arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security;

– Supports the design and supervises implementation of the front line staff capacity building plan in the assigned Field, including SSAFE training programme for front line staff and Professional work-place risk training to identify at most risk categories of staff;

– Supports the International staff warden/information systems as required;

– Ensures that UNRWA Field Office procedures conform to the UNSMS and UNRWA policy and standards as appropriate, and that UNRWA personnel are included in the Security Plan comprising International staff with dependents and the Area staff;

– Assists her/his supervisor in assessing and implementing SRM measures with a view towards SRM compliance for UNRWA personnel and supports the development and implementation of operational procedures and standards about contextual, programmatic and professional work-place risk categories for front line Area staff based on best practices in the Field.

Office Security:

– Develops and implements office security requirements in UNRWA installations; oversees access control mechanisms (visitors/vehicle screening) in UNRWA premises;

– Conducts office security surveys and recommends physical security measures to her/his supervisor;

– Assesses fire safety arrangements (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, etc.) in UNRWA premises and makes recommendations to responsible units regarding fire safety arrangements; prepares fire/building evacuation plans and conducts periodical drills.

-Develops a plan to engage front line Area Staff, beneficiaries and community further into the installation security;

Emergency Communications System (ECS):

– Ensures that all security and communications equipment are functioning and in good condition including radio communications;

– Ensures that radio communication training is provided to staff that are required to use various communications means;

– Ensures that adequate communication system is in place at the Area-Camp level and that front-line staff engages and relates to it.

Reporting and liaison:

– Updates her/his supervisor, DSRM at HQ(A) and UNDSS country offices on relevant security developments; participates as a member of the country/area security cell; attends the Area Security Management Team (ASMT) meetings in support of her/his supervisor as required;

– Establishes a flow of accurate and timely security related information to management and staff;

– Establishes and maintains contacts with area and programme staff, Chiefs of Area Offices, Camp Service Officers and programmatic front line area staff as appropriate;

– Guides and supports frontline Area staff in establishing community based security platforms;

– Establishes and maintains contacts with national security and law enforcement agencies and authorities, and security officials of diplomatic missions and international organizations to obtain/share the best information pertaining to protection for UNRWA staff and operations;

– Establishes and maintains communication links with designated Official, Security Management Team, Area Security Coordinators and other Field security personnel;

– Develops a strategy to further engage with beneficiaries, community and host governments (and de facto authorities) to increase coordination, collaboration and acceptance;

– Supports the implementation of clear reporting lines and strengthen communication channels between the HQ- Field-Area-Sub Area- Camp levels;

– Where applicable, the incumbent may provide overall supervision of the close protection team working directly with the close protection team leader. Ensuring that requisite standards are planned and met for close protection team members including but not limited to training standards, equipment/systems safety and storage, and qualification renewals.

– Implements Residential Security Measures (RSM), conducts residential security surveys of UNRWA international staff and recommends physical security measures to Area staff members; prepares justification for residential security measures as required;

– Reports all security related incidents involving UNRWA staff as per Agency guidelines to her/his supervisor and makes sure that these are entered into the Security Information Management System; investigates assesses and follows up these incidents as needed; Provides security training to UNRWA staff; organizes and maintains country files on security issues (assessments, security plans, messages, maps, etc.);

Competencies

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. Default managerial competencies may apply.

– Demonstrated competence in management, problem solving skills and excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills;

– Understanding and demonstrated application of security planning, security risk management as related to staff, installations and programmes;

– Demonstrated technical skills in fire and road safety and communication equipment;

– Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a team environment and with people of diverse backgrounds, culture and nationalities;

– A high level of written and verbal communication skills and practical report and proposal writing experience;

– Basic paramedic knowledge/skills;

– Judgment and decision-making skills;

– Promotes learning environment in the office/field; provides constructive coaching and feedback to others;

– Creates an empowering and motivating environment;

– Good command of MS Office applications.

– Ability to manage units, sections and teams;

– Demonstrates experience in community engagement initiatives;

– Ability to identify best practices and to build SOPs accordingly

For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews: https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in political science, international relations, humanitarian law, human rights, conflict studies, social sciences or international law with a focus on security and risk management. A first level degree with a focus on security management or related disciplines, in combination with two additional years qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Additional technical certification in relation to security and risk management such as security management, community security, civilian-military coordination, human rights & protection, close protection, counter-terrorism, intelligence management, hostage management, operational planning and investigation, crisis management and emergency or disaster planning is desirable.

In possession of UN Security Certification Programme (SCP) certificate; is desirable

Senior Staff College (military or police) training is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in security management with the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) or International Organization (IO) Security Management or International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) Security Management and/or experience in police or military is required.

Progressively responsible practical experience at the Field/country level in moderate to high risk security environments within UNSMS, IO security management, INGO Security Management is required.

Knowledge of UN field security operations/ UN Field Security Coordination Officer/Adviser or INGO Security management experience is desirable.

Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations relating to security is desirable.

Familiarity with UNRWA, its mandate, programmes and delivery modality is desirable.

Knowledge of humanitarian operations, humanitarian, human rights, and/or international refugee law is desirable.

Unless already serving as an international staff member in the UN Common System, at least two continuous years of relevant international experience outside UNRWA, and outside the country(s) of which the candidate is a national or holds citizenship, a passport, or a national identity number is required.

International relations, humanitarian law, human rights, conflict studies, social sciences or
international law with a focus on security and risk management is desirable

Additional management, programme and project management qualifications is desirable

Languages

Excellent command of spoken and written English is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Type of Contract and duration: 2 years, with the possibility of further extension.

The incumbent may be required to travel to other locations within UNRWA area of operations.

Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in Inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for an appointment to the same post or a similar post.

UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.

Join our eco-friendly organization dedicated to environmental sustainability and targeting to be plastic free by 2025.

NB: work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.

For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations
UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List.
UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

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.