LOCAL SECURITY ASSISTANT (SOMALI NATIONALS ONLY)

Location : Baidoa, SOMALIA
Application Deadline :02-Jul-12
Additional CategoryManagement
Type of Contract :Service Contract
Post Level :SB-3
Languages Required :
English  
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
01-Aug-2012
Duration of Initial Contract :One Year
Expected Duration of Assignment :N/A

Background

The overall mandate of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is to provide leadership, operational support and oversight of the security management system to enable the safest and most efficient conduct of the programmes and activities of the United Nations System.
 
UNDSS Somalia is supporting the UN Agencies through security advice and guidance so to enable the UN Agencies to conduct their operations in the safest way possible. UNDSS has it’s headquarters in New York and operations in more than one hundred countries.
 
The role of the Local Security Assistant (LSA) Baidoa is to assist the Field Security Coordination Officer in the execution of security responsibilities in Baidoa. Under the technical guidance and supervision of the area FSCO, the LSA Baidoa is to demonstrate a client-oriented approach to security management with a high sense of responsibility, courtesy and tact. The LSA Baidoa is required to work with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds in a complex security and political environment. The LSA will be responsible for assisting the FSCO on day-to-day security operations for UNDSS. Their main tasks include liaison with the national and provincial police counterparts, gathering information on security matters affecting UN staff and programs in various locations in the country, and providing advice and relevant reports to the FSCO. S/He will also assist UNDSS/UN agencies to facilitate investigation of criminal incidents/traffic accidents involving UN staff/premises in the AOR and other UN locations in Somalia as directed by FSCO-Area 10.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
  1. Assists FSCO in collecting, updating and communicating information regarding the security situation in the country
  2. Assists in maintaining the Security Plan, including updating staff lists 
  3. Ensures effective and efficient functioning of UNDSS Operations.
  4. Assists in Reporting Security Incidents affecting UNDP Staff, Offices and Assets
  5. Provides general administrative assistance to the FSCO
Assists the FSCO in collecting, updating and communicating information regarding the security situation in the country:
  • Liaises and coordinates, as appropriate, with the host government security organizations and/or personnel, including national and local provincial authorities, military, and police officers, as well as non-governmental organizations and other non-State actors in the area of operation;
  • Helps to assess the security situation at the duty station and ensures adequate gathering and verification of security information that may be required for a proper analysis of the situation by the FSCO;
  • Communicates information on security to the heads of United Nations agencies and provides host country security advice to UNDSS in the absence of the FSCO, as required;
  • Maintains regular contacts with Security Focal Points of UN agencies;
  • May be requested to provide technical assistance at A/SMT meetings, in the absence of the FSCO.
Assists in maintaining the Security Plan, including updating staff lists:
  • Helps in maintaining of the security plan and update the staff list of UN agencies;
  • Supports actions during the implementation of the Security Plan, as required.
Ensures effective and efficient functioning of UNDSS Operations, focusing on achievement of the following results:
  • Management of security at satellite locations within incumbent area of responsibility including supervision of guards at the satellite location;
  • Keeping abreast with the security situation in their area of responsibility and giving an early warning in case something is wrong;
  • Providing safe and secure relocation of UN personnel to the safe haven in situations where security at the satellite locations is not sustainable;
  • Providing security orientation to newly assigned staff members;
  • Conduct security briefings as required;
  • Provide support in organizing and conducting training courses on security awareness and preparedness;
  • Conduct security surveys and provide advice on security measures for the residences of UN staff and UN offices;
  • Coordinate with Somalia National Police and Military on UN movements by B6 convoys;
  • Support FSCO to conduct of UN missions at IDP camps/TFG locations;
  • Supports FSCO conduct Security Assessments at IDP camps/TFG locations;
  • Provide security briefing, assessment, tracking and support to UN National staffs’ mission;
  • Support UN national staff with protocol arrangements at the airport as necessary.
Assists in Reporting Security Incidents affecting UNDP Staff, Offices and Assets to the FSCO/CSA:
  • Assists in the preparation of security reports, such as Security Incident Report, Security Assessments as situation demands;
  • Assists in reporting security incidents affecting UNDP staff, offices and assets;
  • Assure implementation of security procedures and protocols; 
  • Maintains regular contacts with Project Security Focal Points;
  • Assists the FSCO/CSA in collecting and disseminating information regarding security situation. to all UNDP Staff as received from UNDSS.
Provides general administrative assistance to the FSCO:
  •  Maintains routine and confidential correspondence files/documents;
  • Maintains a database on contact details in relation to host country security authorities;
  • Arranges appointments, receives visitors, places and screens telephone calls and answers queries with discretion, and takes minutes and/or notes at meetings;
  • Identify Emergency Communications equipment needs.
Impact of Results:
The duties performed by the Local Security Assistant have a direct impact on the security and safety of UN staff operating in the field as well as the UN property. The contingency plans and monitoring of the implementation of security policies and procedures improves the efficiency functions of UNDSS in Somalia and assist in achievement of UNDP goals.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Knowledge Management and Learning;
  • Shares knowledge and experience;
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Development and Operational Effectiveness
  • Ability to administer and execute administrative processes and transactions;
  • Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve operational problems;
  • Ability to perform work of confidential nature and handle a large volume of work;
  • Good knowledge of administrative rules and regulations;
  • Strong IT skills.
Leadership and Self-Management
  • Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:         
  • Completion of Secondary School and a diploma (complemented with 3 years experience) in business administration, public administration, journalism, languages, security or related field;
  • A university bachelors degree or higher is desirable but not a requirement;
  • A military staff college or police college combined with experience in a senior command post may be accepted in lieu.
Experience:       
  • A minimum of 3 years experience in the field of security/safety, journalism, community services, humanitarian assistance or related field;
  • Experience with an international organization, NGO or IGO is desirable;
  • Excellent knowledge of the political and security situation in Somalia and good networking within Somalia.
Language requirements:
  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali is essential, including the ability to draft, edit and finalize documents in English.

Terms of Service:

This is a non-staff contract under the Service Contract modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under a Service Contract serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institutions, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions.

Application:

Applicants are requested to upload a copy of their latest updated P11 Form instead of a CV which can be downloaded from this website: http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

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.