Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypePending
Family TypePending
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonFast Track > Fast Track
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-08-01
Job Posting End DateJune 18, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionAssistant Field Security Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Assistant Field Security Officer manages and provides support to all security related aspects of field operations including Staff, premises and asset security. The incumbent is supervised by a Senior Officer who defines specific work objectives. The incumbent is required to have basic conceptual knowledge of the profession, by being dynamic and able to take on higher responsibilities progressively. The incumbent may provide input to the supervision of general service staff in the office. The duty of the incumbent is to support and guide in all security related aspects of the operation. All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRยฟs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - Advise and support the Representative or Head of Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR personnel , partners, operations, premises - Undertake periodic security assessments in close cooperation with UNHCR senior staff members, UNDSS and interagency partners drafting the required security risk management assessment reports and using key tools for same. - Evaluate existing security measures to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement. Follow up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements. - Advise on and assist in ensuring compliance with standard established through the Security Risk Management process. - Assist and develop plans for evacuation/relocation medical evacuation and other security contingencies. - In cooperation with UNHCR senior staff members, assist in ensuring that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development. - Participate in programme related discussions to advise on security risk levels in line with programme criticality. - Respond to staff queries on security issues and provide immediate assistance as required. - As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern. - Maintain relationships with security-related actors, including host government law enforcement authorities and partner agencies. - Maintain cooperation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS). - Cooperate in security assessments and planning and supporting interagency processes. - Support UNHCR staff serving as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens. - Provide country-relevant security advice and training to UNHCR staff, and where appropriate, to staff of NGOs and implementing partners in areas including, inter alia, preparation for and conduct of road missions, radio telecommunications, immediate actions upon detection of explosive devices or other dangers, hostage survival and other critical incidents. - Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that staff are familiar with security contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency. - Prepare periodic reports on security in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and, as appropriate, regional security coordinators, FSS. - Maintain linkages with the Staff Welfare Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required in consultation with staff memberยฟs supervisor. - Provide security-related advice, in written and oral form, to the manager and other staff. - Advise on, and upon approval, implement, needed mitigating measures. - Participate in criticality assessments. - Perform other related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Military or Police Academy or other relevant field (Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential) Certificates and/or Licenses Security Management, Security Risk Management, Security and Safety certification (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Military or police experience. Desirable Relevant training (first aid) Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Functional Skills CO-Drafting and Documentation MD-First Aid Training IT-Computer Literacy (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile The incumbent should have proven competencies and experience in (to be put in order of what is deemed essential and what is deemed to be an advantage):
- High level of knowledge in the security field and very good understanding of security management and coordination skills
- Demonstrable experience in security risk assessments, especially in very remote and border areas
- Good understanding of local government security management structures in Ethiopia and their linkages to regional and federal security management structures
- Experience in working with UN security management systems and UN joint security coordination mechanisms
- Experience of operating in humanitarian or United Nations organizations, with field experience.
- Fluency in Somali language and a working knowledge Amharic language will be an asset.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
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Desired languages
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Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
Nature of Position:
The Assistant Field Security Officer assists the Head of Field Office in monitoring the security situation in Doolo zone and providing timely security information to the team, including key advisories in line with the regular security risk assessments undertaken by UNDSS or the joint UN security team. The incumbent will support in putting in place security risk measures in compliance with the established UN security management procedures (office and residential access, convoy procedures, security orientation briefing, etc.) and will progressively assist to train the staff team on new security procedures. He/she will liaise with RRS (federal government counterpart) and the local authorities to plan and provide guidance on crowd control, especially during distributions (food, NFIs) and registration exercises in Mirqaan, Docmo, Hegalle and other sites that host refugees.
The incumbent will keep updated staff lists and facilitate on movement tracking and road safety during field missions in and out of Dollo zone, including arranging police escorts as may be required. He/she will regularly assess the refugee settlements and advise on security requirements for the safety of refugees, partners and staff. The incumbent will coordinate with RRS and the local authorities to facilitate border monitoring and ensure staff safety. Additionally, given that Bokh is a new UNHCR Field Office, the incumbent will follow up and facilitate the Head of Field Office to ensure UNHCR compounds (Office and Guest House) are SRM compliant, coordinate with the FS team to develop SOP on SGBV cases and coordinate with HR, staff welfare and FS team on CASEVAC and MEDEVAC cases.
The incumbent will directly provide oversight on the services of the security company or security guards employed by the Field Office to enhance security management at the Office and residential accommodation for international staff in Bokh, and will directly supervise the Field Security Associate (G6).
Living and Working Conditions:
Further to the conflict in and around the Laascanood area of Somaliland state of Somalia (Sool region) of early 2023, an estimated 100,000 refugees crossed into the Doolo zone of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. In order to respond effectively, UNHCR set up a base in Bokh, a small town located in Doolo zone of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia and headquarters of the Bokh woreda (district), with an estimated population of 50,000 people. Bokh is situated 170 kms from Wardher, the zonal capital of Doolo zone and some 80-100 kms from the Ethiopia-Somalia border. Bokh is also located at almost 700 Kms from Jijiga, the headquarters of the Somali Regional State Government where UNHCR Sub-Office is based.
Given the remoteness of the area and its proximity to the border with Somalia, the security situation in Bokh is considered to be fluid and requires a sense of vigilance and alertness. UNHCRโs Field security Advisor on ground in collaboration with UNDSS provides security advisories regularly to all staff in Bokh and the surrounding field locations to which adherence is expected. There are a few upcoming private real estate investments in Bokh and national staff will be expected to explore available options and secure rental accommodation in the town. Security briefing is mandatory upon arrival at the duty station. All travel itineraries should report to the radio room before departure and continue reporting their position every 60 minutes, until back to base. Official working hours are Monday through Thursday: 08:00 โ 12:00 and 13:00 โ 17:00 hours; while on Fridays 08:00 โ 13:30 hours.
Bokh is served by a Government Health Centre and a Level-1 Hospital in Wardher, both of which offering basic medical services. It should be emphasized that the medical facilities in the area are insufficient to treat complicated medical cases. The UN Team in Bokh is working on a plan to establish a UN Clinic with a full-time doctor and nurses to provide onsite medical assistance to staff and also process referrals as may be needed. A medevac plan is also under discussion in collaboration with the Medical Services Team at the Regional Bureau in Nairobi and the UN Health Care Centre in Addis Ababa; the latter provides 24/7 health care services for eligible UN staff and their dependents in different specialized Medical Units. Bokh also has small markets, restaurants and shops from where food and other household items can be purchased. Banking services are very limited in Bokh and it always advisable to carry cash. The only Ethiopian Commercial Bank branch is located 170 kms away in Wardher where financial services, including ATM machines, can easily be accessed. However, a microfinance agent exists in Bokh and facilitates some small financial transactions in the local currency.
Transportation in and out of Bokh is by road. However, the UN Team is mobilizing donors to facilitate the establishment of an airstrip in Bokh so that UNHAS can operate regular flights to Addis Ababa. Land for the airstrip has already been provided by the authorities and technical surveys undertaken by UNHAS. In the meantime, travel is either through Jijiga (served by Ethiopian Airlines daily) or through Kebridehar where Ethiopian Airlines flies from Addis Ababa twice a week, and then onward on a road journey of some 7 hours on a dusty road.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Drafting and Documentation, IT-Computer Literacy, MD-First Aid Training
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Security Management (Required)
CertificationsSafety and Security - Other, Security Management Learning Program - Other, Security Risk Management - Other
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
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Compendium
Additional InformationThis position is for Ethiopian Nationals Only.
A written test for shortlisted candidates may be conducted.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance