Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations System efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.

Afghanistan is one of the world’s most complex emergencies, and the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Afghan people are grappling with the impact of conflict, poverty, economic decline, and natural disasters. In this context, Afghan women and girls face unique vulnerabilities and require urgent support as gender inequality is interwoven with conflict dynamics and humanitarian needs. It is essential that Afghan women and girls can continue to shape the development of their country, and that their gains are protected. UN Women remains fully committed to supporting Afghan women and girls and to putting them at the center of the global response to the crisis in Afghanistan.

UN Women has been in Afghanistan for two decades. UN Women’s programming approach is informed by analysis of the political, economic and humanitarian situation, risks to and capacities of partner organizations, and needs of Afghan women and girls. UN Women Afghanistan currently has four key programme priorities: (1) Gender in Humanitarian Action, (2) Ending Violence Against Women, (3) Women’s Economic Empowerment, and (4) Women, Peace and Security.

Under the direct supervision of the Security Specialist, the Security Analyst will provide technical support on security related issues, implement security plan, assess security situation of country office and sub-offices as well provide training on security.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide technical support to the ACO Security Specialist

  • Clarify, interpret, and implement existing UN and UN Women security policy as applicable;
  • Coordinate security evaluations and provide advice on security measures for the movement of UN Women personnel, as well as on latest trends and threats to personnel safety and security;
  • Gather and verify information on developing threats and related risks, reviewing the impact of security factors and risk on UN Women personnel, premises, assets, programme design and delivery;
  • Provide security surge support outside of the designated ‘Duty Station’ as required;
  • Provide remote security support to identified UN Women personnel, offices, programmes and projects as required;
  • Participate as a member of security groups, particularly Afghanistan Security Cell as designated by the ACO Security Specialist, where applicable.
  • Deputize for the Security Specialist in their absence.

2.  Conduct security assessments and take necessary action

  • Provide substantive assessment of the security situation at the duty station and ensure adequate gathering and verification of security information;
  • Conduct security and safety assessments of UN Women premises and equipment and provide recommendations on risk management;
  • Initiate ad hoc security assessments to enable UN Women programme delivery.

3. Liaise with and participate in the local security community

  • Liaise and coordinate with UN Organizations, non-governmental organizations, UN entities, and other non-State actors;
  • Provide an advisory presence at UN security cell meetings;
  • Maintain a  network of international and national security personnel.

4.  Collect, update and communicate security information

  • Provide updates and information to HQ in relation to the security and safety intranet portal and documentation;
  • Disseminate security information and measures to personnel;
  • Disseminate analytical products and outputs of the Section to stakeholders; Conduct regular communications with UN Women Security and Safety Focal Points;
  • Maintain the UN Women Warden System/Communication Tree, where applicable.

5.  Maintain, manage and implement the UN Women Security Plan, including updating personnel lists

  • Manage the preparation and review of the UN Women Security Plan and provide technical support in its implementation;
  • Provide advice and recommendations in the selection and purchasing of security and safety equipment;
  • Prepare and submit security clearance/movement of personnel requests;
  • Maintain, coordinate and implement the UN Women Warden System;

6.  Report security incidents affecting UN Women personnel, programmes, offices and assets

  • Collate information and provide inputs to security reports, such as the Security & Safety Incident Reporting System (SSIRS), Security Risk Management (SRM) Assessments and other ad-hoc incident reports;
  • Provide updates to ongoing incidents as required;
  • Develop accurate and timely written country briefings;
  • Provide information to the country UN Security Management System (UNSMS) as required.

7. Develop and conduct training courses on security awareness, preparedness, mainstreaming, BCP and specialized security functions

  • Participate in the delivery of UNSMS training;
  • Contribute substantial inputs to UN Women specific security training; conduct security and safety training;
  • Provide security orientation to newly assigned personnel members and security and safety briefings;
  • Ensure records of training are maintained;

8.  Perform other security-related tasks including but not limited to

  • Prepare and administer documentation related to travel arrangements, both local and international, including Travel Authorizations.

Key Performance Indicators:

  • Quality and timely security recommendations and advice
  • Adherence to UN Women and UN security and safety standards
  • Provide timely and accurate security reports
  • Accurate and timely implementation of the overall UN Women security plan
  • Provide accurate information and briefings to personnel, including newly hired personnel and non-personnel
  • Regular interaction and maintain good relationships with important partners, including Security and Safety Focal Points, UN agencies and external parties
  • Timely completion and input to the UN Women security business process SCS – SCAP- SCAP

Competencies

Core Values:

  • Respect for Diversity
  • Integrity
  • Professionalism

Core Competencies:

  • Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
  • Accountability
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • Effective Communication
  • Inclusive Collaboration
  • Stakeholder Engagement
  • Leading by Example

Functional Competencies

  • Good knowledge of business, operations, and programming cycle
  • Good knowledge of security and risk management
  • Good knowledge of local country’s security situation/ laws
  • Knowledge of UN System policies and procedures
  • Ability to work under pressure and in crisis situations
  • Good analytical skills
  • Ability to be strategic and provide advice

Required Skills and Experience

Education and certification:

  • Master’s Degree or Equivalent, preferably in social sciences, management, or a related security field.
  • A formal multi-year education in Security Management, such as military or police senior Command and Personnel College (minimum 9 months’ full time) qualification, with command experience at senior level, is considered equivalent to a Master’s
  • A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

  • A minimum of 4 years of relevant security and development related experience (2 years if applicant is in possession of a Master’s degree in a relevant security field).
  • Experience of conducting security risk assessments as integral part of operational planning and the enabling of operations is an asset;
  • Experience of disaster and/or conflict surge support is an asset.

Language requirement:

  • Fluency in English is required
  • Knowledge of the other UN official working language is an asset.

Application:

All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from https://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment/application-process Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.  Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application. 

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)