Job Description
Background
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the largest service provider in the United Nations system, working on behalf of UN departments, IFIs and Governments.
UNOPS has over the years developed a wide range of services able to provide rapid response in complex emergencies. These include initial humanitarian assistance together with complex logistics and procurement, applied baselines surveys and multi-sect oral assessments, as well as emergency preliminary assessments for the design of physical infrastructures for longer-term reconstruction or recovery.
UNOPS Haiti Operations Centre (HTOC) has been working in Haiti for 6 years providing project management, procurement and logistics services for the Haitian Government, other UN agencies and international organizations in communication, governance, and engineering expertise.
The Field Security Advisor is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the HTOC Director & Representative the FSA shall be responsible for the following duties:
Security Support Services
1. He /she should deploy and be based in Port-au-Prince and would report as follows:
- Accountable to the HTOC Director for Agency specific security tasks
- Serve as principal advisor to the HTOC Director and he/she is accountable to the HTOC Director
2. He / she should supervise the Local Security Assistant.
3. He / she will provide required security support services to the program and all UNOPS personnel.
4. He / she is a member of the Security Management Team and the UN Security Cell.
Agency Specific Services
- Advise HTOC Director and Program Managers on all safety and security related matters and the possible impact on project design, implementation and funding;
- Make substantive safety and security recommendations in line with UN and industry best practice enabling project implementation without compromising UNOPS personnel safety and security;
- In line with UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) methodology, develop as required security risk assessments outlining potential risks and recommended mitigation strategies regarding project implementation taking into consideration relevant and existing assessments;
- The FSA will act as the Single Agency Security Officer and therefore operate within the framework of the UN Security Management System and co-ordinate directly with the local UNDSS office;
- In addition to liaising with UNDSS, the FSA will ensure appropriate and effective coordination is maintained with other UN security officers and other regional security services so as to enhance coordination and implementation of the security arrangements across the respective Operation Centers as well as with the UNOPS Chief Security Advisor (CSA) at Headquarters.
- Report all security related incidents across the country that may have an impact on UNOPS projects or programmes to the HTOC Director;
- Establish security as an integral part of UNOPS program and budget planning and operations, in particular for effective delivery of projects in the country;
- Review/coordinate all aspects of convoy procedures and medical evacuations across the country;
- Establish and manage separate agency based warden systems for both international and national staff of UNOPS;
- Maintain updated staff lists, including details of visiting missions and consultants;
- Maintain up-to-date instructions for personnel on precautions they should take in relation to the implementation of the security plan, including comprehensive listing of emergency supplies they should have on hand and guidance on action taken during emergencies, including natural disasters and political crises;
- Ensure that all personnel in the country/at the duty station are provided with appropriate security briefings;
- Assume the leadership in case of phase V evacuation has been declared by activating and managing the UNDSS and UNOPS evacuation and extrication policies ensuring a smooth and efficient evacuation of UNOPS staff members;
- Prepare updates to and maintain the UNOPS country-specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with the United Nations Field Security Handbook;
- Review security arrangements for all field offices in the region and maintain copies of all relevant instructions such as security and evacuation plans;
- Ensure staff adherence and compliance to the various UNDSS advisories, in particular: compliance with directions related to security phases; warden systems; minimum operating security standards (MOSS); minimum operating residential security standards (MORSS), etc;
- Ensure that Agency facilities and guest houses have been assessed and a copy of assessment is on the Agency / DSS file;
- Ensure all UNOPS personnel receive briefings upon initial arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security;
- Provide heightened security awareness training to staff, beyond the required security and emergency procedures, if necessary;
- Ensure adequate/effective communications systems are established to monitor staff and to communicate emergency info as required;
- Report all cases in which personnel of the organization have been victims of crime and submit required reports on such cases to the HTOC Director;
- Ensure that an external and internal security clearance system is established and carried out in a timely manner;
- Prepare travel and security advisories;
- Perform security assessments, both routine and exceptional, as required, to ensure optimal safety standards are in place for staff traveling across the area of operation;
- Maintain accurate multi-sourced country files on current and projected security issues (assessments, security plans, etc.) and brief necessary staff across the region when required;
- Ensure that safety and security is a core component of all programmes at the duty station and that appropriate funding is provided based on actual needs;
- Give considerable attention to business development with a view to creating a well-established and respected Product Line of security services to clients in the country;
- Define, manage and account for the use of security equipment including communications equipment; and,
- Carry out other assigned tasks as directed by the HTOC Director.
He / she should use the Country Security Risk Assessment (SRA) as a base document and then develop an Area SRA for specific projects/areas.
Study
He / she should study/ be familiar with the following documentation
- Existing Standing Operations Procedures (SOPs)
- Country SRA.
- Security Advisories
- Country Specific MOSS and MORSS
- Country and Area Security Plan
Required Competencies & Knowledge
- In addition to UN/UNOPS Core values/competencies, diligence, attention to details, keen sense of work priorities and resourcefulness in obtaining and researching important information.
- Technical knowledge, managerial competencies or other personal competencies relevant to the performance of the assignment.
- Strong interpersonal and supportive team skills plus proven ability to be flexible and remain calm in demanding situations.
- Administration, analytical skills and report/comprehensive summary writing.
- Training/presentation skills.
- General practical competencies in radio communications (Motorola and CODAN) and satellite communications.
- Ability to work in insecure and demanding environments – Phase 2.
- Diplomatic and an effective communicator at all levels.
- Strong leadership skills.
- Flexibility and ability to work within different cultural and political environments.
- Knowledge of the mechanisms for the identification and mitigation of security threats and risks.
- Proven ability to operate in physically and mentally demanding environments globally.
- Good understanding of project and risk management.
- Successful completion of trauma (first aid) training.
- Very good knowledge of the region, an asset.
- Excellent liaison skills with all Security Services across the country as and when required.
- Excellent team player.
- Capable of working in a multi-national/cultural environment.
- Reliable and able to work under pressure.
- Knowledge of UN rules & procedures is desirable, in particular UNDSS policies.
- Excellent communications skills.
- Strong organizing ability.
- The requirement to be contactable/on call 24/7 to assist all security related issues regarding UNOPS projects and staff.
- Ability to quickly grasp complex structures.
- Driving license and high standard of driving competence.
Qualifications/ Experience/Languages
- Advanced university degree in social or political science, law, public administration, business management or security management
- Substantial experience in civilian police/military will be accepted in lieu of formal education.
- Minimum 10 years experience, out of which at least 5 years of security management.
- Extensive experience in safety related skills in international emergency situations including evacuation coordination, safety assessments, safety training.
- 5 years of experience of management/supervisory responsibilities
- Demonstrated experience and exposure in the international security arena dealing with security-related issues.
- Direct experience with the United Nations Security Management System is a strong advantage.
- Ability to produce Standing Operating Procedures/Security Risk Assessments/Security Plans in accordance with UNDSS methodology is an asset.
- Excellent spoken and written French and English. Creole is an asset.
- Computer and typing skills including mastery of word processing, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Submission of Applications
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), to htocvacancy@unops.org, Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.
Additional Considerations
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.
[1] For more information on the UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement modality, please visit http://www.unops.org/english/whoweneed/Pages/Contracttypes.aspx
