Back Senior Field Security Specialist

Background

Organizational Context

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147 of 20 December 1978. Called upon by United Nations Member States in that year, UNDP was requested “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people by identifying their social and economic needs and by establishing concrete projects to that end”.

UNDP’s Palestinian Programmatic Framework (PPF) 2023-2025 sets out a vision of “a world in which all Palestinians can enjoy a dignified life and fulfil their own vision of a unified, peaceful and free society”.  The PPF is centered around the concept of “Transformative Resilience” and its three elements: a cohesive Palestinian identity, self-reliance, and ownership and leadership.

Over the next three years, UNDP/PAPP will build on its experiences and achievements to make critical contributions to the priorities defined by the Palestinian national development plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), through interventions in three programmatic priority areas:  i) democratic governance and quality services; ii) inclusive economic opportunities; iii) sustainable natural resources management

UNDP/PAPP offers operational services and support to several UN agencies operating in the occupied Palestinian territory. By promoting a client-centred approach in-line with UNDP's rules and regulations, our operational team collaborates closely with programme and project teams, as well as suppliers, UN agencies, and UNDP headquarters staff to address challenging operational -related issues”

UNDP/PAPP success in its delivery of UNDP programmes is dependent on ensuring an adequate security framework is in place. The Host Government has primary responsibility for the security and protection of personnel employed by United Nations Security Management System organizations, their eligible family members, and property. The UNDP/PAPP Office security team, in collaboration with UNDP Security Office and regional security staff, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UNDP programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments. Specifically, the security team ensures the integration and mainstreaming of security risk management into Country Office operations, including incorporation of security considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all country office projects and programmes.

The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Field Security Specialist (SFSS) at UNDP / PAPP include the safety and security of all UNDP staff, eligible dependents, eligible partners and contractors, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects in addition to promoting, enabling and supporting UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility while ensuring compliance with all United Nations security policies, procedures and regulations.

Job Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Special Representative of the Administrator and Secondary (Functional) supervision of the Regional Security Advisor, the Senior Field Security Specialist is to provide leadership in ensuring adequate security risk management is in place in a large and/or complex country to enable its effective delivery of UNDP programme and the safety/security of all UNDP personnel, assets, and facilities within the state of Palestine. This will be achieved through:
•     Advising that UNDP security support should feature prominently in the programming process at the state of Palestine office level as well as in the case of each project, from project identification, planning, budgeting, implementation and right through to monitoring and evaluation.
•     Strengthening the security arrangements of UNDP and maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Effective Programme Planning, Implementation and Delivery:
•     Provide security policy guidance and security management support to the Special Representative of the Administrator and PAPP management team enabling 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. Serves as a permanent member of project appraisal committee (PAC).
•     Review the impact of current and future potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design, and delivery, as well as the possible impact that programme design might have on stability and security, ensuring that possible support needs are identified, and improvements are implemented.
•     Liaise and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority.
•     To protect and minimize the risk to UNDP staff, project personnel, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enable UNDP programme delivery throughout the country. 
•     Maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel. 
•     Participating as a member of the security cell established by DSS in the country.

Lead Threat and Risk Assessment, Security Plan and Business Continuity:
•     Conduct a threat and risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented, identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures. 
•     Assist/provide inputs to UNDSS in preparing a comprehensive threat and risk assessment of the country to include all locations where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present. 
•     Serve as Security Cell Member
•     Conduct UNDP specific Ad Hoc Security Risk Management (SRM’s) as required
•     Assist/provide inputs to the Security Management Team through the UNDP Special Representative (SR).
•     Assist local UNDP managers with decision-making related to air travel.
•     Work closely with UNDSS to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework. 
•     Provide input and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating the country-specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM).  
•     See that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective duty stations, (including UNDP sub offices) being prepared by UNDSS. 
•     Update the UNDP component within the country-specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with UNDSS.
•     Train UNDP wardens and follow up on their specific needs accordingly for both international and national staff. 
•     Provide security related contributions to the UNDP/PAPP Business Continuity Plan, with guidance from the RSA. 
•     Take necessary action to secure security clearances for all UNDP staff travelling in security phase area

Oversee Security Compliance and Ensure Constant Flow of Information Management:
•     Oversight of UNDP personnel and equipment for security compliance. 
•     Ensure that staff members are provided with; and proficient in the use of, safety and security equipment, including communications equipment, vehicle emergency equipment and personal security safeguards required for work in the field. 
•     Establish internal communication systems and ensure UNDP communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System. 
•     Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security (vehicles, telecommunications equipment, etc.).
•     Provide advice on the security of transportation and logistics.
•     Coordinate with DSS 24-hour response to all security related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents. 
•     In coordination with UNDSS, and on behalf of the Special Representative of the administrator, ensure appropriate professional liaison with local authorities responsible for security, law and order, counterparts in diplomatic missions and municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders.
•     Provide timely and accurate security advice to the UNDP Management, programme managers, project managers and visiting consultants. 
•     Provide situation reports (SITREP) and analysis of events, by phone, SMS or email to the Country Office management and BMS Regional Security Advisor. 
•     Immediately report all security-related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents to the Special Representative, RSA and UNDSS in the country. 
•     Ensure that UNDP programme staff members are provided with situation reports and other appropriate security-related information generated by UNDSS in a timely and efficient manner. 
•     In cooperation with the HR unit, maintain updated UNDP staff lists, including details of visiting missions and consultants.
•     In coordination with UNDSS in country, establish good relationships with national law enforcement, military and civil intelligence authorities, counterparts in the Diplomatic Missions and municipal/civic/traditional leaders. 
•     Encourage an exchange of information relative to risk management for UNDP programme implementation. 
•     In coordination with UNDSS in country, conduct investigations of death of a staff/family member under suspicious and unclear circumstances. 
•     Participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.
•     In coordination with UNDP HQ and as assigned by the Special Representative, conduct preliminary investigations in cases of breach of UN code of conduct by UNDP staff.

Facilitates Funds Management and Resource Mobilization: 
•     Support mainstreaming of security costs into country projects/programmes.
•     Monitors that all projects/programmes contribute resources to implementation of security measures.
•     Formulate and manage the annual work plan and related budget for security related projects, initiates budget revisions.
•     Monitor that allotted UNMSM funds are budgeted in Quantum in a timely manner.
•     Ensure that costs and expenditures remain within budgeted and approved limits through the monitoring of monthly Quantum budget reports.
•     Ensure that the security costs are included in all appeals and project documents.
•     Participate in the drafting of project proposals and reviews, to be presented to donors. 
•     Provide inputs to donor reports, as required.

Conduct Office and Residential Security and Facilitate Security Training:
•     Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions. 
•     Assist UNDP in developing and implementing office security requirements for regional offices and offices of UNDP-implemented projects. 
•     Establish and implement access control mechanisms (visitor/vehicle screening) as necessary for UNDP and project offices based on the security phase.
•     Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations. 
•     Ensure that UNDP premises and international staff residences are SRM compliant and meet the requirements of the Residential Security Measures (RSM).
•     Provide orientation and training to international and national staff members on security guidelines, communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and existing restrictions in movement, such as curfews, restricted and dangerous areas.
•     Scheduling and implementing fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members.
•     Contribution to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
•     Participation in the security trainings for the UNDP and allied UN agency staff members.
 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:
•     Ensure that the UNDP Security Team is adequately staffed by competent and proficient personnel with the appropriate skills and expertise required to enable the successful achievement of their respective functions and UNDP/PAPP Office goals and objectives.
•     Manage, supervise and execute the work programmes for the Security Team, coordinating and preparing inputs, determining priorities and estimating required resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery.
•     Responsible for the full scope of human resources management of the Security Unit taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values. 
•     Assist in the performance evaluation of the private contractors, suppliers and consultants providing security services to the UNDP/PAPP Office, as required.
•     Serve as the first reporting officer on performance evaluations of all individuals assigned security functions (including local GS Security staff and/or more junior FSS personnel). 
•     Participate in the assessment processes for locally recruited staff assigned to the security functions, and, in collaboration with the HR unit, ensure that recommended candidates meet all qualifications The Senior Field Security Specialist will supervise the CO security unit staff
 

Competencies

Core Competencies: 

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

•     An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Social Sciences, Management, or related security field is required, or
•     A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with two years of qualifying work experience
will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. or
•     A formal multi-year education in security management, such as military or police Command and Staff College
(minimum 9 months full-time) with senior-level command experience.
•     Formal training in security risk management is required.

Experience:

•     Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree or formal multi-year security management education) of relevant security or development experience with at least 5 years of security position experience at the international level in the UN is required. 
•     Previous experience working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is a requirement.
•     In-depth knowledge in applying security management and risk management policies and good practices in crisis settings is highly desirable.
•     Previous experience working for a United Nations organization with knowledge of the UN Security Management System as well as UNDP business, operations and programming cycle and Country Office structure /roles and responsibilities is an asset.
•     Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP is desirable.
•     Experience in managing and supervising teams is an advantage.
•     Experience in facilitating security trainings is an asset.
•     Demonstrated experience in maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel is an asset. 

Language Requirements:
•     Fluency in written and spoken English is required. 
•     Knowledge of Arabic language is desirable.
 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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