Assistant Field Security Officer(N) (El Geneina) – UNHCR

Job Description

Organization	United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Job Title	Assistant Field Security Officer(N)
Location	El Geneina, Sudan
Hardship Level	E (most hardship)
Job ID	JR2329437
Family Location Type	Non Family with Residential Location
Closing Date	15/11/2023

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 UNHCR¿s 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 member¿s 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

Sudan has experienced sustained and destructive conflict since 15 April 2023, characterized by wide ranging breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL) and large scale displacement. Darfur has been particularly negatively impacted by the escalation of conflict, which has intersected with and exacerbated pre-existing intercommunal tensions. As a result, the already considerable humanitarian needs across Darfur have dramatically increased. West Darfur hosts approximately 120,000 people newly displaced as a result of the ongoing conflict, alongside a protracted IDP caseload. The majority of over 442,000 Sudanese refugees who have fled to Chad have been displaced from West Darfur. Further displacement is anticipated as the security context remains highly volatile and dynamic.

The Assistant Field Security Officer provides support to all security related aspects of field operations including staff, premises and asset security. The incumbent is supervised by the Head of Office for West Darfur, who defines work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent maintains regular contact on a working level on routine issues with other UNHCR staff members, security professionals from other UN agencies, NGOs, implementing partners, security forces, local authorities, armed groups and other stakeholders directly impacting on security issues in the area to facilitate the operation. UNHCR is currently implementing a cross-border response into West, Central and North Darfur from eastern Chad, encompassing both the cross-border movement of personnel and of aid supplies. Cross-border missions require the support of detailed and timely security analyses, enriched through collaboration with security professionals from other UN agencies participating in the interagency cross-border team. In the event of a stabilization of the context in West Darfur, the Assistant Field Security Officer would be required to support security assessments of structures and premises that may be utilized by UNHCR and other UN agencies to ensure MOSS compliance.

All five Darfur states were under evacuation/self-relocation status for the six months following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023. Static UN presence has not yet been re-established in Darfur, due to the ongoing conflict. The Assistant Field Security Officer may be required to work from West Darfur (security context permitting), remotely from other parts of Sudan, or on mission to eastern Chad to support and participate in cross-border missions into Darfur. When working remotely, the incumbent must ensure adequate internet access at all hours in order to perform his/her duties. Accommodation in eastern Chad consists of shared housing in the community with national staff from other UN agencies, at a basic standard of living. Mosquito-borne diseases are common and access to medical care in field locations is limited, requiring travel to N’djamena for serious or complicated medical issues. Access to banking facilities is limited and it is necessary to carry sufficient cash (CFA) to settle expenses. Transport is by UNHAS flight and/or UN vehicles

• At least 6 years experience in an international organization in field security and related roles, including in emergency/conflict settings;
• Demonstrated capacity to undertake timely and detailed security analysis and assessments;
• Familiarity with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) Framework of Accountability for Security, Security Policy Manual (SPM) and the Security Management Operations Manual (SMOM);
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain professional and constructive relationships with key security stakeholders from different UN agencies and armed forces/groups/factions;
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively with a diverse team, as well as other internal stakeholders in other Field/Sub-Offices and the Country Office;
• Experience managing critical incidents;
• Good knowledge of UNHCR operations both in a country office and in the field is an asset;
• Familiarity with IASC coordination architecture is an asset;
• Knowledge of English and Arabic is required, and knowledge of French is desirable.