The Position:
The Office of the Security Coordinator (OSC) at UNFPA Headquarters in New York coordinates and leads the organization’s global response to safety and security management, enabling the Executive Director to provide strategic direction regarding the safety and security of UNFPA personnel, property, and assets. OSC provides technical advice, guidance, and support in implementing security policies and procedures to the Executive Director, senior managers, and personnel, ensuring they fulfill their security-related accountabilities. OSC also leads the organization's Business Continuity Management (BCM) preparation, validation, and testing of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs).
The key functions of the Office of the Security Coordinator are:
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA is the lead United Nations agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is intended, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Strategic Plan for 2026-2029 articulates the organization’s response to a complex global environment, providing a roadmap for resilience and renewal. It is designed to accelerate the implementation of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This mandate is pursued through a focus on four interconnected outcomes: ending the unmet need for family planning; ending preventable maternal deaths; ending gender-based violence and harmful practices; and adapting to demographic change through evidence and rights-based policies.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.
UNFPA is seeking candidates who transform, inspire, and deliver high-impact and sustained results and ensure effective external relations, communications, and partnership-building and resource mobilization in a rapidly changing development and funding landscape. We need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them, and who commit to delivering excellence in programme results.
Job Purpose:
The Security Associate reports to the Kenya Security Specialist (SS) on security policy and procedures, as well as technical, operational, and administrative matters, assisting the SS in providing safety and security advice to UNFPA personnel based in Kenya. The Security Associate supports and assists the Director, Program Division, the Director, Independent Evaluation Office, the Kenya Country Office Representative, and personnel with security responsibilities in enabling the organization's activities and in enhancing their ability to make informed risk decisions, manage security risks in accordance with the UN Framework of Accountability and UNFPA Policy and Procedures for Security Accountability.
Major Activities/Expected Results:
You would be responsible for:
The Security Associate reports directly to the Security Specialist.
1. Security Coordination & Support to Programme Delivery
Assist the Security Specialist in monitoring the security environment in Nairobi and Kenya, collecting, verifying, and organizing security information relevant to the operations of UNFPA Kenya-based units:
2. Security Risk Management (SRM), Monitoring & Compliance
Assist the Security Specialist in monitoring compliance with:
3. Networking, Liaison & Information Sharing
4. Business Continuity & Organizational Resilience
5. Training, Capacity Building & Knowledge Management
6. Operational and Administrative Support
Manage daily security-related operational tasks, related to:
7. Additional Responsibilities
Qualifications and Experience:
Education:
Completion of secondary education is required. A first-level university degree in Political Science, Security Management, International Relations, Public Administration, Disaster Management, Military or Police Studies, or a related field is highly desirable but not mandatory.
Knowledge and Experience:
Languages:
Fluency in English (oral and written) is required; Working knowledge of Kiswahili is required; Knowledge of additional local Kenyan languages is an asset.
Required Competencies:
Values:
Core Competencies:
Functional Competencies:
Compensation and Benefits:
This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.
UNFPA Work Environment:
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
Disclaimer:
Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements.
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts.
Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.