Background

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 Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Years of conflict have damaged Afghanistan’s economic, political, physical, social and institutional structures. Reconstruction demands a secure environment in which there is credible leadership and enforced rule of law. Strong, legitimate and effective public administration structures, responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens - including the poor – are a precursor to any sustainable development. To this end, UNDP supports Afghan electoral institutions so that they can become more effective vehicles for development.

The UNDP Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT) project- phase I (2006 – 2011) provided technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 Presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections.

ELECT II which commenced January 2012, was conceived as a targeted and focused project providing a support and advisory role, with a particular focus on institutional strengthening and capacity development during the inter-election period. In line with the process of transition or Afghanisation, as articulated in the Kabul Conference in July 2010, the number of international staff was significantly reduced from previous years.

As the result of a project Mid-term Review and a UN Needs Assessment Mission, the ELECT II project has been extended beyond its original end date of December 2013 until December 2015, and the project objectives have been revised to now include direct electoral assistance for the conduct of the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council Elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections.

The overall objective of ELECT II is to support the national electoral institutions to plan and conduct credible elections, most immediately the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections, and to better ensure the integrity of the process. Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2096 (2013).This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and UN Electoral Assistance Division (EAD).

This is being accomplished through seven focused outputs:

  • Sustainability of the IEC is enhanced via both its institutional and staff capacity development;
  • A sustainable, long-term approach to voter registration in Afghanistan, which also promotes maximum participation of eligible citizens in the 2014 and 2015 elections, is developed and implemented;
  • The IEC’s engagement and informational outreach with key stakeholders, including the electorate, is enhanced;
  • The IEC’s operational management functions, and the project support services, are strengthened;
  • The conduct of key electoral operations for the 2014 and 2015 elections by the IEC is improved;
  • The electoral dispute resolution mechanism is enhanced;
  • The media regulatory mechanism for the electoral process is enhanced.

The Regional security Specialist will be part of a team of advisors providing technical support to the IEC and will work under the supervision and guidance of the Regional Electoral Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Regional Security Specialist is responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operations of safety and security under the daily supervision of the Regional Team Leader and the technical guidance of the ELECT FSS. In addition, the Regional Security Specialist is responsible for managing all Minimum Operating Security Standards at the UNDP ELECT office compounds and Guest Houses in his/her respective regions. The final arbiter for security systems management will be the Country Office FSA through the ELECT FSS.

The Regional FSS will also assist with security planning and operations security advice to the IEC for the upcoming operational period.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Implements the UNDP security plan for his/her respective region;
  • Manage and coordinate regional ELECT security operations ensuring that security and safety procedures are implemented and adhered to as per the UNDP Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
  • Provide training support and guidance to UNDP ELECT staff and operations in their respective regions particularly with regard to supervision, application and maintenance of security and safety equipment and security and safety training. In this regard also advising the IEC on the same;
  • Maintain an up-to date staff list of all staff and dependents in his/her region;
  • Establish and maintain an internal staff travel plan in order to monitor all UNDP ELECT staff movements within the regions;
  • Liaise with the ELECT FSS to ensure that all relevant security information is disseminated in a timely manner to staff and other stakeholders such as the IEC as and when required;
  • Conduct security assessments and threat analysis as required. Also for the IEC compounds and advise on additional measures;
  • Advise on the design and implementation of regional programme related security strategies, security policies/standards and establish a concrete course of action for their implementation in line with the IEC planned operations to ensure proper support;
  • As required and in coordination with the ELECT RLA, manage administrative, logistics and budgetary issues related to mission safety and security programs/procedures;
  • Assists where required with investigations into incidents involving UNDP ELECT staff on a 24/7 basis. Also being able to assist the IEC with the same and advise on appropriate actions;
  • Carries out assessments of local security conditions in his/hers region in conjunction with UNDSS and national and international security forces, relay and advise the IEC on these issues in line with requirements for their operations;
  • Collects, interprets and analyzes security information to assess major security trends;
  • Advises staff of prevailing trends;
  • Regular briefings to the IEC Provincial Security Officers;
  • Prepare and forward all regional security reports for the ELECT FSS;
  • Provide daily sit reps and staff lists to ELECT FSS;
  • Establishes and maintains an operational emergency communications system:
  • Manages all aspects related to the ELECT Communication Centre (if installed in the region), including installation, utilization, operation, repairs. Advise the IEC on the same;
  • Monitors utilization of communication networks;
  • Implements and monitors daily radio checks from his/her region;
  • Attends the Regional Area Security Management Team (ASMT) as observer on behalf of UNDP;
  • Disseminates information from the ASMT to UNDP staff in the region. Discusses with the IEC PEO;
  • Forward all ASMT minutes in a timely manner to the ELECT FSS;
  • Forward all security advisories from the region to the ELECT FSS in a timely manner.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Core Values and Ethics:

  • Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and commitment to the principles of respecting in the workplace a climate of diversity;
  • Support the organizations corporate goals and values;
  • Comply with UNDP Rules and Procedures and code of conduct;
  • Demonstrate a high degree of integrity.

Functional Competencies:

Judgment/Decision-making

  • Good judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact;
  • Ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve the goals and objectives of the Security Unit.

Leadership

  • Strong managerial and leadership skills;
  • Demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, financial or administrative management policies;
  • Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment;
  • Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor and transfer knowledge/skills.

Managing Performance

  • Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work of others;
  • Ability to make timely decisions;
  • Ability to coach, mentor, motivate and develop staff and encourage good performance.

Task Management

  • Plans, prioritizes and delivers a variety of tasks on time;
  • Exercises sound judgment/analysis;
  • Develops creative risk management solutions;
  • Is able to operate and function at a senior level.

Building Trust

  • Reputation for dealing honestly and openly with issues and staff;
  • Recognized and respected by peers, clients and staff.

Teamwork

  • Build effective client relationships and partnerships, both within and outside the organization;
  • Display excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Building and sharing knowledge;
  • Provides guidance and support to others;
  • Make valuable practice contributions to the Security Unit, the Country Office and the organization.

Communication

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
  • Listens actively and responds effectively.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master's or Bachelor's degree preferably with a focus on security risk management, in social sciences, management, or a related security field;
  • A Police/Military War College/Junior Command and Staff Course may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • With Master's degree 5 years and with Bachelor's degree 7 years of military or civilian security experience with demonstrated capabilities in security risk assessment, planning, organizing, and at least two years of which were at a security management level;
  • Practical experience in security management is essential and experience in UN operations is desirable;
  • Knowledge of the UN system is desirable and familiarity with UNDP procedures is, in particular, highly desirable;
  • A solid understanding of security management, including security risk assessments at a national level, contingency planning and crises management;
  • Proven team building and leadership skills.

Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Application procedure:

  • Interested and qualified international candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at UNDP Afghanistan Vacancy Announcementand please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at UNDP Personal History Form (P.11 Form);
  • 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.