In 2004, a proposal for strengthening and unifying the United Nations security management system was presented to the 59th session of the General Assembly in Report A/59/365 of 11 October 2004. This resulted in the adoption of General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/59/276, XI, 7 - 23 December 2004) that created the Department of Safety and Security merging the security management component of the Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD), the Security and Safety Services (SSS) and the civilian security component of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) into a single security management framework.

• Support and enable the effective conduct of United Nations activities by ensuring a coherent, effective and timely response to all security-related threats and other emergencies;
• Ensure effective risk mitigation through the establishment of a coordinated security threat and risk assessment mechanism within the framework of a common, system-wide methodology;
• Develop high-quality, best-practice security policies, standards and operational procedures across the United Nations system, including the appropriate degree of standardization;
• Support implementation and monitor compliance with those security policies, standards and operational procedures;
• Ensure the most cost-effective provision and employment of security personnel by taking advantage of economies of scale and through centrally directed recruitment, selection, training, deployment and career development.

Since January 2007, the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) have been contributing to making the staff of UN Agencies, Departments, Funds and Programmes as well as International Organizations, NGOs and Government Agencies better prepared to identify, face and respond to direct and indirect threats and incidents jeopardizing their lives and the ability to serve the targeted populations.

The Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environment (SSAFE) programme is the instrument through which over 14,000 UN and associated personnel (i.e. NGOs, International Organizations and Governments Agencies) in 16 countries have benefitted from a thorough safety and security training curriculum. It consists of a theoretical and practical training delivered by more than 400 certified SSAFE trainers. 

The modular structure and flexibility of the SSAFE training enables it to be easily customized and adapted to different working contexts and realities.

• High risk areas for hostage incidents;
• Motives of hostage taking;
• The current hostage situation in Somalia and its likelihood;
• Lessons learnt from former or current hostage situations in Somalia;
• The five phases of a kidnapping;
• Coping strategies and hostage survival techniques;
• The UN Hostage Incident Management.

Supervise practical Hostage Survival exercises and conduct debriefings.

Monitoring the Kidnapping situation in Somalia and incorporating the latest trends into the presentation.

• Demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment;
  
• High degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership;
• Willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality;
• Ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.

• Mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.

• Initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise;
• Ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work;
• Ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

• Ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender.

• Proven interpersonal skills;
• Good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports;
• Ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely;
• Ability to make and defend recommendations;
• Ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds;
• Ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest;
• Capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.

• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in law enforcement, Criminal Studies, Security Studies or International Relations or Graduate from a Police Academy;
• A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and minimum of 15 years within law enforcement agencies may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• At least ten years of professional experience in police or law enforcement work;
• Qualifications as a police crisis or hostage negotiator with minimum 2 years of work experience in this function. In addition, basic first aid skills are required. Previous experience with the UN is an asset;
• Experience in organizing security related training courses and basic training design is required.

Language requirements:

• Proficiency (level C) of English and Intermediate knowledge (level B) of another UN official language, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.

Other Information

• The expert will be required to have a personal laptop computer.