Grade: P3
Vacancy no.: CALL/P/2025/2
Publication date: 22 January 2025
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 19 February 2025
Job ID: 12685
Department: RO-Africa
Organization Unit: RO-Africa
Location: Abidjan
Contract type: Fixed Term
The ILO is issuing a call for expression of interest for the above position. This is an assignment of a purely temporary nature, not expected to lead to a career in the ILO. Duration is 12 months.
The selection process is not subject to the rules and procedures defined in Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.
The following are eligible to apply:
- Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations
- External candidates
The ILO values diversity among its staff. We welcome applications from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.
Applications from qualified candidates from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future, would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States
The position is located in the ILO Regional Office for Africa (ROAF) in Abidjan. The Regional office has overall political and management responsibilities for the promotion of ILO principles and policies in the region and provides strategic guidance and support to all countries in the region where the ILO has a presence.
The Regional Security Officer coordinates the day-to-day response in the Africa region on safety and security issues. The incumbent supports security operations to facilitate the implementation of ILO’s mandates and activities across the Africa region including support to the ILO’s development cooperation projects, in accordance with the ILO’s security policy and procedures.
As the ILO operates within the United Nations Security Management System framework, the incumbent ensures that the security operational activities of the ILO are compliant with UN standards within the countries covered by the ROAF. The incumbent maintains relationships with UN security system staff and security staff of other entities, such as embassies and international organizations, to gather both information and response capabilities in the region.
The position reports to the Chief, Regional Administrative Services, ILO Regional Office for Africa, under the overall responsibility of the Regional Director and will work closely together with Deputy Regional Director and the Human Resources Unit in the ILO Regional Office for Africa in Abidjan to ensure a coordinated safety and security approach. The incumbent receives technical guidance from the Head of the Security Unit in the Internal Services and Administration Department (INTSERV) at ILO headquarters.
1. Liaise with relevant security stakeholders at the regional and country level to provide accurate and up to date assessments of the security and safety situation for ILO duty stations in the Africa region to the Regional Director and the Country Director. In coordination with the Head of the Security at ILO headquarters, propose actions on how to prevent and mitigate against identified threats and risks to support informed decision-making.
2. In coordination with the Head of Security at ILO headquarters, review and monitor compliance implementation of the UN Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM), and Residential Security Measures (RSM) in Country Offices and Development Cooperation projects. Participate in the Security Cell meetings, liaise with regional and local UNDSS officials and provide security information to the Regional Director and Country Director as members of the Security Management Team.
3. In coordination with the Head of Security at ILO headquarters, propose appropriate actions to the Regional Director and Country Directors on the implementation of safety and security measures of their respective personnel, eligible dependents, premises and assets. Report security matters that have a potential or direct impact on ILO operations immediately to them and the Head of Security Unit at ILO headquarters.
4. In coordination with the Security Unit at ILO headquarters, develop country and project specific security risk analyses and prepare briefings on security situations for staff and management as required. Continuously monitor security developments in the region, emerging threats and risks and carry out related analysis.
5. Gather and analyse related information and develop relevant security risk assessment documentation. Maintain an up-to-date security reporting system, in particular incident reports, and ensure notification of appropriate staff members. Keep the Regional Director, the ILO Head of Security at headquarters and the ILO Country Security Focal Point apprised of security developments.
6. Assist in performing/reviewing security risk assessments of duty stations and ILO premises. Provide advice and propose mitigating measures in line with SRM/RSM and the country cost-shared budget in consultation with the respective UNDSS representatives in the countries.
7. Prepare and deliver specific security and safety briefings and training to ILO staff members and external collaborators in the region. Coordinate staff participation and ensure that security training is carried out professionally within ILO and UNSMS learning/training standards. Encourage personnel in the Africa region to attend training with the aim of maintaining a high level of compliance and awareness.
8. Support ILO resilience and contingency planning, crisis decision-making, and the development of disaster recovery and business continuity plans, by providing information and analysis including situational monitoring and updates. Assist with relocating personnel and assets in a crisis zone and supporting the development and implementation of evacuation plans from a country/location.
9. Ensure ILO staff have access to Emergency Security Communications systems (SCS), used in the region, including Security Communications and Analysis Network (SCAAN). Regularly test the functionality of the SCAAN application for headcount and tracking of ILO staff. This includes actively monitoring the dashboard of the platform for checking and posting of security advisories.
10. Participate in relevant meetings and other joint activities with ILO field offices to provide necessary assistance and technical advice on safety and security related issues (project security reviews, external event assessments, etc.).
11. Establish lines of communication with relevant security actors of the UN Security Management System via the UN Security Cell, and other international institutions, as well as with concerned law enforcement personnel in countries in the region, to ensure maximum security coordination and safe conduct of ILO operations.
12. Support the coordination and oversee the application of field safety and security standards, travel security clearance requirements and evacuation procedures, including medical evacuation, when necessary in collaboration with the Chief of the Regional Administrative Services and the Regional Coordinator for Human Resources in the ILO Regional Office for Africa in Abidjan.
13. Ensure that security analysis and recommended measures for implementation take into consideration gender equality and non-discrimination in performing duties.
14. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
Advanced university degree in social sciences, law enforcement, management, a related security field or other relevant area.
A first-level university degree in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below will be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A police, military college, or relevant senior staff course would be an asset.
UNDSS certification in Security Certification Programme (SCP) is mandatory. Certification in Security Analysis Practice and Process (SAPP), Hostage Incident Management (HIM), Trainer Development and Certification Course (TDC) and Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) would be an advantage.
At least five years of progressively responsible experience in security, risk or disaster or emergency management in the public or private service areas, such as national security, military or police, or in a corporate environment. Of the five years’ experience, at least two years dealing with international security operations would be an advantage. Experience in the implementation of security and emergency procedures and plans. Experience in the delivery of structured training programs. Relevant experience in the UN system is an advantage.
Excellent command of English or French and a working knowledge of the other.
In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:
Technical
Knowledge of UN security system policies, rules, regulations and security risk management. Ability to work effectively in stressful environments and occurrences and to instil confidence and project credibility in difficult and dangerous situations. Ability to liaise with host government security services for assessing security risks and implementing effective mitigation measures. Good understanding of all elements of security protection for VIPs would be an advantage. Ability to gather and analyse information. Project management, mostly related to the inclusion of adapted security risk measures. Ability to use word processing software, spreadsheets and other standard software packages.
Behavioural
The ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO Jobs. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 2 to 4 weeks following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.
Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.
Fraud warning
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.