UNDP Jobs - 28607- National Security Officer

National Security Officer

Location :

Tehran, IRAN

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Starting Date :

01-May-2012

Application Deadline :

27-Mar-12 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

NO-B

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO IRANIAN NATIONALS ONLY.

The duties and responsibilities of the National Security Officer (NSO) include the safety and security of all UNDP staff, eligible dependents, eligible partners and contractors, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects in addition to promoting, enabling and supporting UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility while ensuring compliance with all United Nations security policies, procedures and regulations.

The primary objective of the deployment of the UNDP NSO is to provide support for the protection of, and minimize the risk to, UNDP staff, eligible dependents, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enable UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility. This will be achieved through:

Providing UNDP security support in the programming process at the Country Office (CO) 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 UNDP and maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel.

In terms of functional matters related to UNDP security, the NSO will report to the UNDP Security Office through the Deputy Regional Security Advisor (or FSS, if present), who will serve as the primary supervisor.

At Headquarters level, UNDP BOM/Security Office (SO) will, through the Regional Security Office, provide policy and technical advice to the UNDP NSO regarding the safety and security of UNDP staff, eligible dependents, property and operations within the context of UNDP’s development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UN Department of Safety and Security's (UNDSS) mandate and role, and working within the UN and UNDP security policy and framework.

At the Field Level, the NSO will be supervised by the Country Director (CD) or Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), who will serve as the secondary supervisor. In rare instances where an Field Security Specialist is also present in the duty station, the NSO will report to them.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Programming;
Threat and Risk Assessment;
Security Plan and Business Continuity;
Minimum Operating Security Standards;
Information Management;
Funds Management;
Resource Mobilization;
Office and Residential Security;
General.

Programming:

Provide security policy guidance through the Deputy Regional Security Advisor (DRSA) and security management support to the Country Director (CD)/Deputy Resident Representative (DRR) and CO management team to enable effective programme planning, implementation and delivery within the framework of all UN security policies and procedures;
Support the mainstreaming of security into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects and programmes providing innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions where required, with the guidance of the DRSA. Serves as permanent member of project appraisal committee (PAC);
Review the potential impact of current as well as future potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery, as well as the possible impact that programme design might have on the stability and security, ensuring that possible support needs are identified and improvements are implemented;
Liaise and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority;
To support UNDP to protect and minimize the risk to UNDP staff, project personnel, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout;
Maintain a security network of international and national security personnel;
Participate as a member of the security cell established by the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in country.

Threat and Risk Assessment:

Conduct a threat and risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented, identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures;
Assist/provide inputs to UNDSS in preparing a comprehensive threat and risk assessment of the country to include all locations where UNDP staff, dependants and equipment are present;
Assist/provide inputs to the Security Management Team through the UNDP Country Director (CD) or Deputy Resident Representative (DRR);
Assist local UNDP travel managers with policy guidance related to air travel.

Security Plan and Business Continuity:

Support the Security Focal Point in ensuring that UNDP procedures conform to the UN Security Framework;
Provide inputs and assist UNDSS to establish, maintain and update the country specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Field Security Handbook (FSH);
Support the Security Focal Point in ensuring that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective duty stations, (including all UNDP offices housing staff covered under the security umbrella) to be prepared by UNDSS;
Update the UNDP component within the country-specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with UNDSS;
Train UNDP wardens and follow up according to their specific needs for both international and national staff;
Provide security related contributions to the CO Business Continuity Plan, with guidance from the DRSA;
Ensure all staff covered under the security umbrella have appropriate security clearances when travelling in security phase areas.

Minimum Operating Security Standards:

Oversight of UNDP personnel and equipment for Minimum Operation Security Standard (MOSS) compliance;
Support the provision of and training in the proficient use of, safety and security equipment, including communications equipment, vehicle emergency equipment and personal security safeguards required for work in the field;
Establish internal communication systems so that UNDP communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System;
Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security (vehicles, telecommunications equipment, etc.);
Provide advice on the security of transportation and logistics;
Provide orientation and training to international and national staff members on security guidelines, communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and existing restrictions in movement, such as curfews, restricted and dangerous areas;
Coordinate with DSS 24-hour response to all security related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents.

Information Management:

Provide timely and accurate security advice, with guidance from the DRSA, to the UNDP Management, programme managers, project managers and visiting consultants;
Immediately report all security-related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents to the Country Director, RSA (or FSS, if present in the duty station) and UNDSS in country;
Ensure that UNDP programme staff members are provided with situation reports and other appropriate security-related information generated by UNDSS in a timely and efficient manner;
In cooperation with the HR unit, ensure the UNDP staff lists are maintained, including details of visiting missions and consultants;
In coordination with UNDSS in country, establish good relationships with national law enforcement, military and civil intelligence authorities, counterparts in the Diplomatic Missions and municipal/civic/traditional leaders;
Encourage an exchange of information relative to risk management for UNDP programme implementation;
In coordination with UNDSS in country, conduct investigations of death of a staff/family member under suspicious and unclear circumstances;
Participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.

Funds Management:

Support mainstreaming of security costs. Monitors that all projects/programmes contribute resources to implementation of security measures;
With the guidance of the DRSA, formulate and manage the annual work plan and related budget. Initiate budget revisions for approval from the DRSA;
Monitor that allotted UNMSM funds are budgeted in ATLAS in a timely fashion;
Ensure that costs and expenditures remain within budgeted and approved limits through the monitoring of monthly ATLAS budget reports.

Office and Residential Security:

Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and provide advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended mitigation measures;
Assist UNDP in implementing office security requirements for regional offices and offices of UNDP-implemented projects as required by MOSS and the local security environment;
Establish and implement access control mechanisms (visitor/vehicle screening) as necessary for UNDP and project offices based on the local security climate;
Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations;
Support UNDP in ensuring that premises and international staff residences are MOSS and MORSS compliant.

General:

The NSO will, in consultation with the DRSA, respond to requests from the DO/DSS, to perform UN system related security tasks;
Any other security related tasks assigned by the DRSA (or FSS, if present).

The NSO’s priority of support and advice should focus on Country Office and UNDP programmes and operations in high risk areas. It is only through a rigorous support of policy understanding, risk mitigations and where necessary security training will the application of security management be fully implemented. NSO security support to the Security Office and country programmes will ensure continuous facilitation of safety and security of UNDP staff, enabling safe UNDP programme delivery and activities within the context of UNDP's development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UNDSS' mandate, and working within the UN and UNDP security policy and framework.

More specifically, the NSO is to protect and minimize the risk to UNDP staff, project personnel, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the duty station through:

Ensuring the UNDP security support is included in all aspects of the programming process at Country Office level as well as throughout individual project life cycles, from project identification, planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and project closure;
Strengthening the security arrangements of UNDP offices, sub-offices, and guesthouses;
Maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel;
Participating as a member of the security cell as established by the UNDSS in country.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrate cultural sensitivity;
Support the Organization's corporate goals;
Comply with UNDP rules, regulations and code of conduct;
Demonstrate integrity;
Build effective client relationships and partnerships. Interacts at all levels of staff/organization.

Functional Competencies:

Excellent interpersonal skills;
Excellent leadership skills;
Excellent communication skills;
Inspires trust and confidence;
Provides guidance and support to others. Applies existing knowledge to work. Makes valuable practice contributions;
Excellent oral and written skills. Listens actively and responds effectively;
Plans, prioritizes and delivers a variety of tasks on time. Exercises sound judgment/analysis;
Develops creative solutions;
Promotes learning environment in the office/field. Provides constructive security advisory, training, coaching and feedback for others.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline;
Formal training in security risk management is an asset.

Experience:

For candidates with a Bachelor's degree, a minimum of 4 years of relevant security related experience. For candidates with a relevant Advanced Degree or equivalent experience, a minimum of 2 years of relevant security experience is required;
Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset;
In-depth knowledge of security management and risk management;
Knowledge of UNDP business, operations and programming cycle;
Knowledge of UNDP Country Office structure; roles and responsibilities of the Resident Coordinator, CD, DO, SMT, UNDSS and UN Security management System.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
Working knowledge of the language spoken in the duty station is highly desirable, but is not a requirement.