Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Conakry, Guinea. The Security Coordination Officer reports directly to the OHCHR Head of Office and to the Senior Security Manager in OHCHR Geneva through the Field Safety and Security Coordinator. Functional responsibility for security rests with the OHCHR Head of Office supported by the OHCHR Safety and Security Section.

Within delegated authority, the Security Coordination Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Reviews and monitors the situation in the country of assignment with specific regard as to how it relates or may have an impact on OHCHR operations in the country.

• Advises the Head of Guinea Office with regard to all security and related matters and develops tactics, techniques and procedures in accordance with the provisions of the UN Security Management System for the safe conduct of OHCHR operations in the country of assignment.

• Closely supervise the work of Local Security Associate deployed in the country.

• Accompanies staff members to the field as a part of special activity such as monitoring missions, Commissions of Inquiry and Investigation missions.

• Prepares draft of security plan for the offices, designated country or geographic area, including all aspects related to elaboration, development, implementation and updating of the plan.

• Maintains continuing lines of communication with security focal points and all other UN agencies involved in humanitarian and other missions to ensure maximum-security coordination.

• Conducts regular Security Risk Assessments of field activity and analysis of the security situation in locations where OHCHR is or intends to operate to enable appropriate security responses with regard to safety and security of staff in coordination with UN DSS (United Nations Department of Safety and Security).

• When requested by the Head of Guinea Office, participates in the United Nations Security Management Team, contributing to implementation and evaluation of the effectiveness of the security plan.

• Assesses prevailing local security conditions, identifying security trends and advising OHCHR staff deployed in the country, project personnel and dependents on potential security problems, such as mines, kidnapping, armed attacks, arrest and detention.

• Maintains an ongoing evaluation of air, land and sea evacuation routes and resources for use in emergencies, ensuring the availability of vehicles, aircraft, vessels, fuel supply and accessible roads.

• Ensures that fire detection devices and fire-fighting equipment are available on all OHCHR premises. Maintains fire evacuation plans and conducts fire drills and training as necessary.

• Maintains all OHCHR offices security by conducting physical security inspections of facilities, issuance of identity cards, if possible, background checks, and entry control.

• Provides advice and training to all OHCHR staff and dependents on residential security measures such as guards, alarm systems and locks to minimize burglar intrusions.

• Maintains dialog with authorities and international institutions such as Red Cross/Red Crescent in the event of natural disasters.

• Ensures availability of emergency communications system by making periodic checks to determine if system is functioning properly; arranges for necessary repairs or adjustments.

• Investigates accidents involving OHCHR vehicles and prepares report of findings.

• Investigates security-related incidents involving OHCHR staff members, project personnel or eligible dependents.

• Assumes responsibility for guard force management.

• Maintains protection detail for senior officials as necessary.

• Conducts security training in such subjects as the security management system, responsibilities of Area Coordinators and Wardens and personal security awareness.

• Performs other functions as directed.

SECURITY COORDINATION OFFICER Conakry Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of security management combined with solid background of military or other security specialization and some political and social knowledge of country of assignment. Ability to deal effectively with stress factor when encountered in security management. Ability to apply technical skills to understand and consolidate the varying specializations such as electronics, communications, mechanics, explosives and other sophisticated devices encountered in security system management. 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. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in security management, business administration, political/social science, psychology, international relations or a related field. A first level university degree with a focus on security management or related disciplines, in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Military or Police Academy degrees (at officer’s level), may also be considered in lieu of the first level university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in military, police, security management or related area is required. Out of the five years, three years of experience working in the field is desirable. Experience with the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) is desirable. Experience in the area of human rights or international humanitarian law is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or availability of funds. At the United Nations, 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. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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. 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 carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.