Hardship LevelD
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Family TypeNon Family with Residential Location
Residential location (if applicable)
Accra, Ghana
GradeNOA
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-04-01
Job Posting End DateDecember 14, 2023
Standard Job Description
Assistant 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
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 โข Previous working experience of minimum 3 years in a similar position with
a UN organization or International Humanitarian Organization is highly
desired.
โข Knowledge of UNSMS security risk management process is an added
advantage.
โข Previous work experience with Police or Military is desired.
โข Previous work experience with humanitarian organizations operating in
South South and South East Nigeria.
โข Proven safety & security training skills is desired.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level): English
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
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/destinations/traveler/none/nigeria?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001
Nature of Position
UNHCR Sub Office Ogoja covers three field Office (Calabar, Adikpo, and Taraba), and has 75 staff members disaggregated into 19 internationals (Professional and IUNVs) and 55 nationals (National officer, General Service, UNOPS, NUNV Contract holders) and reports directly to the Country Office in Abuja. The SO Ogoja is implementing the Protection and Assistance Programs and plays an important role in the coordination of Cameroonian refugees. The Assistant Field Security Officer is supervised by the Head of Sub Office in Ogoja.
The Assistant Field Security Officer, reporting to the Head of Sub Office, takes on the role of leading, coordinating and providing appropriate guidance related to security management within UNHCR sub office. The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, implementing partners, government partners in the area to facilitate the operation. The incumbent directly supervises the Field Security Associate position at Ogoja sub office.
- Advise and support the Head of Sub Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR staff, partners, operations, premises and refugees or persons of concern.
- Undertake periodic security assessments in close co-operation with UNHCR senior staff members and interagency partners, analyzing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programs.
- Maintain close co-operation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), ensuring UNHCR's understanding of applicable requirements, cooperating in security assessments and planning and supporting UNDSS understanding of agency requirements.
- 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 and responding to specific threats within the environment.
- Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that staff are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency.
Living and Working Conditions
The duty station Ogoja hardship classification is D.
A to E duty stations are rated on a scale that assesses the difficulty of working and living conditions from A to E, with A being the least and E, being the most difficult. Categories are arrived at through an assessment of the following six discrete factors: health, security, local conditions, isolation, climate, and housing.
This assumes that staff members and their families can live in Ogoja safely and have access to basic social and economic infrastructures in the difficult living conditions:
Basic medical facilities exist in Ogoja to manage/stabilize urgent cases (for 24h) before evacuation to Calabar (5h drive)/Enugu (3h drive) and then to Abuja/Lagos as needed.
Ogoja town is small, and everyone knows each other, including the staff of the United Nations. Hence precautions should be taken on individual social life and cultural awareness and considerations. There are no safe public transport or taxis. Because of the fluid and unpredictable security situation and very limited safe housing options, international staff have been requested to live in a designated UN-shared guest house protected by armed personnel. Ogoja has no electricity and relies on generators for those who can afford it.
The nearest airports are a 3.5-hour drive to Enugu (1 international flight only) or a 5-hour drive to Calabar (domestic flights), The capital Abuja is a 9-hour drive away. Enugu and Calabar are the closest locations away from the duty station which provides a change of scene in terms of isolation, local conditions, or relief from other adverse factors. The office facilitates the movement of staff to Enugu twice a month, to make purchases, medical referrals if necessary and change of environment.
Ogoja is not connected to most internet service providers making it difficult to communicate domestically and internationally. There are days when there is no network. The UN office and UN guesthouse have a WIFI. There are no functioning courier services in Ogoja, such services are only available in Calabar or Enugu Towns.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsFS-Safety and Security Training, FS-Security Analysis, FS-Security Risk Management
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Security Management
CertificationsSafety and Security - Other, Security Management Learning Program - Other, Security Risk Management - Other
Work ExperienceField Security
CompetenciesAccountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium
Additional InformationPlease note that this recruitment process may include a written test, followed by a competency-based interview. UNHCR doesn't charge any fees throughout the recruitment process.
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance