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 Afghanistan, 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:

• Output 1: Sustainability of the IEC is enhanced via both its institutional and staff capacity development;
• Output 2: 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;
• Output 3: The IEC’s engagement and informational outreach with key stakeholders, including the electorate, is enhanced;
• Output 4: The IEC’s operational management functions, and the project support services, are strengthened;
• Output 5: The conduct of key electoral operations for the 2014 and 2015 elections by the IEC is improved;
• Output 6: The electoral dispute resolution mechanism is enhanced;
• Output 7: The media regulatory mechanism for the electoral process is enhanced.
  

The Security Specialist will be part of a team of advisors under the dual supervision and guidance of the Senior Technical Adviser Pillar One and Sr. Field Security Specialist for Afghanistan. Her/his primary task will be to implement and manage the UN Security Management System on behalf of the UNDP ELECT project team. Furthermore, the Security Specialist will manage all project security activities, including risk assessment, MOSS / MORSS compliance, and emergency response planning to assure that UNDP security rules, procedures, and policy are applied to all project staff. The Security Specialist will provide technical guidance to the ELECT Regional Security Specialists. In addition the Security Specialist will advise the IEC concerning security issues related to the IEC HQ and IEC provincial offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Security Specialist include the safety and security of all ELECT support staff, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects in addition to promoting, enabling and supporting ELECT programme delivery throughout Afghanistan while ensuring compliance with all United Nations security policies, procedures and regulations. Furthermore the Security Specialist will advise the IEC Senior Management on security issues related to the IEC HQ compound.
Summary of key functions:

• Programming;
• Threat and Risk Assessment;
• Information and Reporting;
• Security Plan and Minimum Operating Security Standards;
• Staff Management;
• IEC Security Support;
• General.

• Provide security policy guidance and security management support to the ELECT senior management team to enable 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;
• Review the impact of current as well as future potential security factors and trends on ELECT support planning, programme design and delivery, as well as the possible impact that programme design might have on the stability and security (both positive and negative) of Afghanistan, ensuring that possible support needs are identified and improvements are implemented;
• Provision of technical guidance to the ELECT Regional Security Specialists (RSS), in particular with regard to ELECT staff security and IEC compound security.

• Manage the conduct of threat and risk assessments, as and when required, of operations in the districts and regions of Afghanistan where UNDP electoral support is to be implemented, ensuring that appropriate risk mitigation measures are proactively identified and implemented to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of ELECT staff thus supporting an enabling framework for the achievement of UNDP goals and objectives;
• Ensure that the goals and objectives of UNDP electoral support operations are given due consideration and that ELECT project specific inputs are provided during the conduct, review and updating of threat and risk assessments by UNDSS, UNAMA and other UN agencies.

• Maintain continuous oversight and knowledge of prevailing political and security conditions within Afghanistan that may have a direct effect or indirectly impact on the internal stability of Afghanistan;
• Provide timely, accurate, informed and appropriate information to ELECT management team and to the UNDP CO Security Team on security incidents affecting ELECT staff and operations and provide innovative mitigation strategies and solutions required to enable electoral support operations;
• Ensure that all security–related incidents involving UNDP ELECT staff are properly investigated and reported to the ELECT CTA, CO Security Team and UNDSS, and that corrective action or measures, where appropriate, are set in motion;
• Develop effective partnerships with UNDP CO Security Unit, UNDSS, UNAMA, other UN agencies and organizations through advocacy and knowledge sharing.

• Manage the development and implementation of the UNDP ELECT Project Security Plan within the context of electoral support;
• Develop security policies and strategies in support of the Country Office Strategic Plan in coordination with the CO Security Team;
• Collaborate and assist UNDSS and UNAMA in the development and maintenance of region specific security plans;
• Participate in the development and implementation a Country Office Business Continuity/Emergency Contingency Plan as it applies to electoral support;
• Manage the effective implementation of all UN security policies and procedures pertaining to UNDP ELECT staff security;
• Manage the ELECT project electoral support compliance with the relevant MOSS and MORSS standards.

• Ensure that the ELECT Security Unit is adequately staffed by competent and proficient personnel with the appropriate skills and expertise required to enable the successful achievement of Security Unit and electoral support goals and objectives;
• Manage, supervise and execute the work programmes for the Security Unit, coordinating and preparing inputs, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery;
• Manage the performance of the private contractors, suppliers and consultants providing security services and support to the ELECT project.

• Provide advice and mentoring support to the IEC Senior Management; in particular;
• Provide advice to the IEC Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), regarding security measures appropriate for the IEC HQ Kabul;
• Provide active involvement in the implementation of security measures for IEC HQ and provincial offices and ensure follow up with Engineering and Procurement teams;
• Advise the IEC on enhancing the capacity of the unarmed IEC security guard force with regard to recruitment, training, equipment and rules of engagement  Provision of advice regarding the preparation and implementation of security related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for IEC HQ and IEC provincial offices;
• Liaise with ANSF and other stakeholders regarding the safety and security of the IEC compound;
• Regularly provide current security risk assessment of the IEC compound and recommend and follow up on mitigating measures.
• Work closely with the IEC Security Coordinator and the IEC Security Manager.

• Undertake regular missions of undetermined duration within Afghanistan, or anywhere else, as and when required, in support of ELECT support operations and activities;
• Be prepared to travel at short notice;

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 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.

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

Required Skills and Experience

• University Degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) preferably with a focus on security risk management, in social sciences, management, or a related security field;
  
• Advanced University degree in a relevant discipline is desirable, but is not a requirement;
  
• Police/Military War College/Junior Command or Staff Course may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• 7 years of relevant work experience if candidate is in possession of a relevant Advanced University Degree, 9 years if candidate only possesses a first level University degree (i.e. Bachelor's or equivalent) of military or civilian security experience with demonstrated capabilities in security risk assessment, planning, organizing, and at least two years of which were at the 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;
• Direct experience in the United Nations Security Management System with proven crisis response capabilities;
• Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
• Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

• Interested and qualified international candidates should complete and upload a UNDP 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 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.