Senior Field Security Specialist

Background
  Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
  UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.   Organizational Context
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Field Security Specialist (FSS) include the safety and security of all UNDP staff, eligible family members, 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. 
The primary objective of the deployment of the UNDP Senior Field Security Specialist is to advise on the protection of, and minimizing the risk to, UNDP staff, eligible family members, property, and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility. This will be achieved through:
•     Advising that UNDP security support feature in the programming process at the country office level as well as in the case of each individual 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.
At the field level, the Senior Field Security Specialist will be supervised by the UNDP Resident Representative (RR), who will serve as the primary supervisor. 
In terms of functional matters related to UNDP security, the SFSS will report to the UNDP Security Office through the Regional Security Advisor who will serve as the matrix manager.
At Headquarters level, UNDP BMS/Security Office (SO) will, through the Regional Security Advisor (RSA), provide policy and technical advice to the UNDP SFSS regarding the safety and security of UNDP staff, eligible family members, property, and operations within the context of UNDP’s development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UNDSS’s mandate and role, and working within the UN and UNDP security policy and framework.
  Job Purpose

Under the strategic guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative, the Senior Field Security Specialist (Senior FSS) provides leadership in ensuring adequate security risk management is in place in the country to enable its effective delivery of UNDP programme and the safety/security of all UNDP personnel, assets, and facilities within the country. The Senior FSS ensures the mainstreaming of security and security costs into all programming processes at the country office level as well as for individual projects; and maintains a security network of international and national security personnel. 
 

The Senior FSS supervises the Country Office GS security team and/or staff; and works in close collaboration with UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS), security partners in other UN agencies, national and local security counterparts, counterparts in Diplomatic missions, NGOs, municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders to exchange information and implement security programs. 
 

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.
 

1.)   Provide leadership support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout a large and/or complex country within the framework of UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in covered locations;

•     In consultation with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in the Country Office, support and conduct security risk management for the for UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes. Ensure the mainstreaming of security and security costs into all levels of programme design; oversee implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects, programmes and costs; and provide innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions in highly complex situations where required. 
•     Play a key role in contributing to the UN SMS-wide security risk management process in designated/security area. Ensure security support needs are identified and provided based on review of possible impacts of potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery as well as the possible impact of programme design on stability and security.  
•     Conduct security risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented; and identify security risk priorities and ensure appropriate risk mitigation measures are implemented.
•     Implement person-centered security risk management approaches in Country Office where security assessments and resultant security measures and procedures are guided by a nuanced evaluation of specific threats or vulnerabilities in a country facing conflict, political unrest or other volatility.  
•     Assist and provide substantive inputs to UNDSS in preparing the security risk management process and other country security documents of country/areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present. 
 

2.) Work in collaboration with the UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS) and lead the country office security team to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework;  

•     Provide inputs and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating country specific security and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM) as well as assist on security aspects of developing and updating emergency business continuity plans for the country office in concert with the UN Country Team business continuity plan and guidance from the Regional Security Advisor. 
•     Ensure that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective country offices being prepared by the UNDSS, which will include working in collaboration with HR and other relevant units to maintain and incorporate in those Security Plans an updated list of all UNDP personnel.
•     Formulate and test UNDP specific security and contingency plans and support the testing of CO Business Continuity Plans.
•     Ensure the development and delivery of security orientation and training to UNDP personnel on security guidelines and procedures, security awareness a country.
•     Coordinate with UNDSS in implementation of fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members. 
•     Provide oversight and monitor of security compliance of UNDP personnel, operations and equipment and advise on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment.
 

3.)  Oversee security compliance of UNDP premises and international staff residences;

•     Support the implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises; and when delegated to undertake task, provide security management oversight of common premises.
•     Conduct periodic security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advise on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions as well as their implementation. 
•     Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies in the country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations. 
 

4.)  Provide and ensure timely and accurate security advice and briefings are provided to UNDP Management and Personnel and collaborate with key security partners internally and externally to ensure a constant flow of information on important security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the Country Office and its personnel;

•     Produce security reports as required by the Country Office and the Security Office in a timely and efficient manner.
•     For all security related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents, coordinate with the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) to ensure processes are in place in country office to support 24-hour response, and immediately report such incidents to the UNDP Security Office and UNDSS in the country.
•     Establish internal communication systems and ensure UNDP communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System. 
•     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. 
•     Maintain a security network of international and national security personnel. Participate as a member of the security cell established by DSS in country and participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.
•     Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.

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:  The Senior Field Security Specialist will supervise on a daily basis the work of the national security personnel.

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

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