Background

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Senior Field Security Adviser (SFSA) the National Security Officer (NSO) carries out a range of responsibilities related to the safety and security of all UNDP staff, eligible dependents, eligible partners and contractors, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects and ensures compliance with all United Nations security policies, procedures and regulations. S/he provides support to the programming process and maintains a network of international and national security personnel.

The National Security Officer works in close collaboration with UNDP staff in Country Office (CO), Area Offices, Projects and partners in the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) and with national authorities. S/he provides technical guidance and support to the UNDP Country and Area Office Local Security Associates (LSAs).

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

• Implementation of UN Security Management System;
• Development and implementation of Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS);
• Implementation of security-related information management;
• Threat and Risk Assessment;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Contribute to implementation of UN Security Management System UNSMS), focusing on the following tasks:

• Supports development and implementation of procedures and activities to enhance effective programme planning, implementation and delivery within the framework of UN security policies and procedures;
• Contributes to ensuring that UNDP procedures conform to the UN Security framework;
• Contributes to assessment of potential impact of current and future security factors and trends on UNDP and planning of mitigation measures;
• Liaises and coordinates activities with partner organizations and counterparts in planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority;
• Contributes to development of measures to protect and minimize risk to UNDP staff, project personnel, property and operations in all locations;
• Conducts a threat and risk assessment of operations in the regions where UNDP projects are implemented, identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures;
• Provides inputs to threat and risk assessments in all locations;
• Assists in developing SOP’s in all locations;
• Compiles daily/weekly situation reports, formulates and drafts inputs;
• Maintains a network of and liaises with international and national security personnel;
• Supervises and manages the daily operations of the guard force at the UN Common Compound;
• Contributes to preparation/update of the Security Plan/Contingency Plans and CO Business Continuity Plan.

Contribute to effective development and implementation of Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS), focusing on the following tasks:

• Supports ensuring MOSS compliance of UNDP personnel and equipment. Follow up on implementation;
• Conducts periodic Security Risk Assessments (SRA) of UNDP premises and equipment, in support of LSA’s, and provide advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended mitigation measures;
• Plans and implements office security requirements for regional offices and offices of UNDP-implemented projects as required by MOSS and the local security environment where Area Office LSA’s are not present;
• Supports implementation of internal communication systems;
• Provides inputs to ensuring UNDP´s security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations;
• Supports ensuring that premises are MOSS compliant;
• Provides advice on selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security (vehicles, telecommunications equipment and maintains and controls security assets.

Support effective implementation of security-related information management, focusing on the following tasks:

• Provides timely and accurate security advice with guidance to UNDP staff, programme managers, project managers and visiting consultants;
• Immediately reports all security-related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents to the SFSA.
• Ensures all UNDP staff members are provided with situation reports and other appropriate security-related information generated by UNDP and UNDSS in a timely and efficient manner;
• Maintains good relationships with national law enforcement, military and civil intelligence authorities, counterparts in the Diplomatic Missions and traditional national leaders;
• Contributes to exchange of programme risk related information;
• Participates in inter-agency security coordination efforts.

Support effective Threat and Risk Assessment, focusing on the achievement of the following;

• 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 UNDP Security in preparing a comprehensive threat and risk assessment of the country to include all locations where UNDP staffs, defendants and equipment are present;
• Assist/provide inputs to the Security Management Team through the UNDP Senior Field Security Adviser (SFSA);
• Assist local UNDP travel managers with risk assessments related to air travel.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Organization of trainings for operations/ programme staff on Security issues;
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in Security;
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Impact of Results:

The results impact UNDP´s ability 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 country.

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Demonstrate/safeguard ethics and integrity;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
• Self-development and initiative taking;
• Act as team player and facilitate team work;
• Facilitate and encourage open communication in the team;
• Create synergies through self-control;
• Managing conflict;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage learning of others;
• Informed and transparent decision making.

Functional competencies:

Building strategic partnerships

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date;
• Analyses and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders;
• Establishes and nurtures positive communications with partners.

Job knowledge/technical expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position;
• Possesses basic knowledge of organisational policies and procedures related to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
• Identifies new and better approaches to work processes and incorporates in own work;
• Analyses requirements and synthetises proposals;
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning;
• Demonstrates good knowledge of IT and applies in work assignments;
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and tools and utilizes these regularly.

Promoting organisational learning and knowledge sharing

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches;
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to promote learning and knowledge sharing;
• Develops awareness of various internal/external learning and knowledge sharing resources.

Client orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organises and prioritises work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and within internal and external clients;
• Actively supports the interests of the client by making choices and setting priorities to meet their needs;
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters’ Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, Economics or any related security field with 2 years of relevant experience; or
• A first level university degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Science, Economics or any related security field with a combination of 4 years’ of work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• In-depth knowledge of security and risk management;
• Knowledge of UNDP business, operations and programming cycle is desirable;
• Knowledge of UN Security System; roles and responsibilities of the Resident Coordinator, CD, DO, SMT, UNDSS and UN Security management System is desirable;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (Ms. Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Somali.

Application:

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

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. Qualified Somali women are strongly encouraged to apply.