UNDP Jobs - 51905- Field Security Specialist UNDP/CO/Security Unit

Field Security Specialist UNDP/CO/Security Unit

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

10-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One 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

UNDP Afghanistan Mission statement:

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Organizational Context:

The duties and responsibilities of the Field Security Specialist (FSS) include the safety and security of all UNDP personnel, 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 Field Security Specialist is to advise on the protection of, and minimizing the risk to, UNDP personnel, eligible dependents, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility.

This will be achieved through:

Advising that UNDP security support feature 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 UNDP and maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel.

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

In terms of functional matters related to UNDP security, and at the Field Level, the FSS will be supervised by the UNDP Field Security Adviser (FSA) and reports directly to him/her.

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 and security management support to the Country Director and CO management team enabling effective programme planning, implementation and delivery within the framework of all UN security policies and procedures;
Ensure 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. In the absence of FSA, serves as permanent member of project appraisal committee (PAC);
Review the 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 protect and minimize the risk to UNDP personnel, project personnel, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout:

Maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel;
In the absence of a FSA, participating as a member of the Security Cell established by DSS in country;
In the absence of the FSA, attend the Security Management Team (SMT) as the UNDP security representative.

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 personnel, dependants and equipment are present;
Assist/provide inputs to the SMT through the UNDP Country Director (CD);
Assist local UNDP travel managers with risk assessments related to travel arrangements.

Security Plan and Business Continuity:

Work closely with UNDSS to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework;
Provide inputs and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating the country specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual/Field Security Handbook;
Ensure that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective duty stations, (including UNDP sub offices) being prepared by UNDSS;
Update the UNDP component within the country-specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with UNDSS;
Train UNDP personnel and follow up on their specific needs accordingly for both international and national personnel;
Develop a functional emergency business continuity plan for the CO, in concert and accordance with the UNCT Business Continuity Plan (BCP);
Take necessary action to secure security clearances for all UNDP personnel travelling to and from and within Afghanistan.

Minimum Operating Security Standards:

Oversight of UNDP personnel and equipment for MOSS compliance;
Ensure all UNDP personnel are provided with and proficient in the 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 assets;
Provide orientation and training to international and national personnel 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 personnel and eligible dependents;
In coordination with UNDSS, and on behalf of the CD, ensure appropriate professional liaison with local authorities responsible for security, law and order, counterparts in diplomatic missions and municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders.

Information Management:

Provide timely and accurate security advice to the UNDP Management, programme managers, project managers and visiting consultants;
Immediately report all security related incidents involving UNDP personnel and eligible dependents to the UNDP FSA, Country Director, RSA and UNDSS in country;
Ensure that UNDP programme personnel 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, maintain updated UNDP staff lists, 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;
In coordination with UNDP HQ and as assigned by the CD and UNDP FSA, conduct preliminary investigations in cases of breach of UN code of conduct by UNDP staff.

Funds Management:

Support mainstreaming of security costs. Monitors that all projects/programmes contribute resources to implementation of security measures;
Formulate and manage the annual work plan and related budget, initiates budget revisions;
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.

Resource Mobilization:

Ensure that the security cost of doing business is included in all appeals and project descriptions;
Participate in the drafting of CAP and CAP reviews, to be presented to donors;
Provide inputs to donor reports, as required.

Office and Residential Security:

Conduct periodic security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions;
Assist UNDP in developing and implementing office security requirements for regional offices and offices of UNDP-implemented projects;
Establish and implement access control mechanisms (visitor/vehicle screening) as necessary for UNDP and project offices;
Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations;
Ensure that UNDP premises and international personnel residences are MOSS compliant.

General:

The FSS will, in consultation with the UNDP FSA and CD, will respond to requests from the DO/DSS, to perform UN system related security tasks;
Any other security related tasks assigned by the UNDP Country Director and UNDP FSA.

Impact of Results:

UNDP FSS will train all UNDP personnel (Kabul and Regional) and maintain security operations and the implementation of SOP’s in all UNDP offices;
FSS will also maintain important contacts with UNDSS and international and national counterparts in order to detect and avoid security incident that can effect UNDP operations.

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:

Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree , preferably in social sciences, management, or a related security field, or formal multi-year education in Security Management, such as military or police senior Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full time) qualification with command experience at senior level;
Formal training in security risk management.

Experience:

With Master degree 5 years and with Bachelor degree 7 years of relevant security and development related experience;
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:

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

Interested and qualified International candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/jobs/ and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/jobs/ in the relevant field of the on-line application

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af

Successful candidates must be prepared to start work within 6 weeks of the offer of appointment.

Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.