Sub-Regional Security Specialist at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Duties And Responsibilities

The incumbent of the position will directly be supporting CO programmatic and operational issues pertaining to security in Central Africa, particularly the high-risk areas. He/she will provide advisory services on policy guidance and its implementation, comprehension of programme profiles, support in assessing and mitigating risks through the implementation of risk measures and fostering a security culture through learning. The incumbent’s support will ensure continuous facilitation of safety and security of UNDP personnel, enabling safe UNDP programme delivery and activities within the context of UNDP's development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UNDSS' mandate, and working within the UNSMS and UNDP security policy and framework.

Security Advisory and Policy Guidance

• Advises UNDP Resident Representatives at the country level on security matters including their security responsibilities and keeps them updated on security management issues;
• Provides advice, support, and guidance to UNDP actors within the UNDP Security Framework of Accountability on security matters as well as the implementation of security policies and procedures.
• Contribute to policy development and knowledge management; including the review of UNSMS and UNDP security policies and guidelines and sharing of best
• practices;

Security Risk Management (SRM)

• Reviews the impact of security factors on UNDP programme design and delivery, as well as the potential impact that programmes might have on security;
• Participates in programme planning and ensure security is embedded as a core component of all programmes and activities, and resourced from the start of all planning processes and throughout the programming cycle and facilitates the mainstreaming of security;
• Contributes to UNSMS wide SRM processes in designated/security areas;
• Conducts ad hoc SRM processes for UNDP-specific programmes, activities, and surveys for premises;
• Supports the implementation of people centered SRM approaches where security assessments and resultant security measures and procedures are guided by a nuanced evaluation of specific threats or vulnerabilities or personnel supporting diversity and inclusion.

Security Planning and Support to Business Continuity

• Contributes to the formulation of the country/area security plans taking into consideration particular needs of the UNDP, UNV and UNCDF offices, programme or personnel including coordinating regional contingency plans and the implementation of country/area security plans;
• Supports efforts to develop, test and implement sound business continuity planning within the region; including the use of simulation exercises to ensure that relevant plans and policies are practiced, and gaps identified and addressed.

Security Compliance and Information Management

• Facilitates the implementation of SRM measures including recommending financial allocations to country offices for security related matters.
• Conducts security compliance evaluations to assess the levels of compliance of UNDP offices and determine what support the BMS/SO might provide to support the implementation of security risk management requirements
• Monitors and reports on compliance and non-compliance with security policies, practices, procedures and approved SRM measures.
• Supports the collection, analysis, and reporting of relevant security information for UNDP senior management within the region and to the Director Security;
• Promotes information exchange with UNDSS, and other organizations to enhance coordination and implementation of security management arrangements.
• Monitors regional/international events and information sources to assess their security-related trends and implications on UNDP operations and personnel.

Security Management and Support

Undertake regular security assistance missions to countries within the sub-region to support the implementation of security requirements by offices, programmes and projects, address specific security issues, perform security assessments on offices and residences etc.

• Proactively anticipates potential escalation in situation in countries and serve as the BMS/SO’s first-line of crisis response in the sub-region.
• On behalf of the Security Director, and in close coordination with UNDSS, conducts security assessments and provides security clearance for UNDP premises and common premises managed by UNDP
• Support the implementation of physical security/SRM measures for UNDP premises and when delegated to undertake task, ensure security management oversight of common premises when present in country and premise
• In support of UNDP, UNV or UNCDF, deploys within the region or globally as required and as determined and decided by BMS/SO
• When assigned, actively represents the security needs of UNDP, UNV and UNCDF in relevant working groups and other UNDP specific fora;
• Coordinates participation/attendance in the security cell and SMT with UNDSS and the Resident Representative at the designated area as applicable;
• Provides advice, briefings, and training to personnel;
• Provides coaching and mentoring to country level security personnel;

Competencies

Core Competencies - UNDP Core Competencies can be found here .

• Achieve Results - Level 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively - Level 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously - Level 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility - Level 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination - Level 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner - Level 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion - Level 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking

• Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP's objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
• Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Direction & Strategy - Business Acumen

• Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
• Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization and ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks.

Business Management - Risk Management

• Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Business Management - Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Security Services - Security advice, planning & coordination

• Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities.

Security Services - Security crisis management & response

• Knowledge of crisis management and response arrangements as well as the ability to prepare for, respond to, support/manage security crisis events.

Security Services - Security training

• Ability to design, contribute to, and/or facilitate meaningful security training programmes/courses.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or Equivalent), preferably in risk management, International Relations, Conflict Analysis, Intelligence Analysis, Counter Terrorism, Conflict and Security and other social sciences, management, or a related security field.
• A Bachelor’s Degree preferably in risk management, International Relations, Conflict Analysis, Intelligence Analysis, Counter Terrorism, Conflict and Security and other social sciences, management, or a related security field combined with 2 additional years of professional experience in security management may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years with Master’s Degree, and nine (9) years with Bachelor’s Degree, of relevant professional work experience in Security Risk Management, security experience gained in an operational environment in public or private service in such areas as national security, military or police service or in a corporate environment and/or security analysis is required;
• Knowledge of and a minimum of 5 years' experience within the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS);
• International experience working in high risk, conflict/crisis environment is an asset;
• Experience working in the sub region (Central Africa) is desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of security management and risk management practice;
• Knowledge of UNDP operations and programming is desirable;
• Relevant certifications in security information analysis, security training or hostage risk/incident management is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English and French both oral and written is required.