The UNOPS South Sudan Country Office (SSCO) operates in a highly complex and high-risk environment, with project presence across 16 operational locations and over 250 personnel deployed, suggesting expansion. The operational landscape is marked by political instability, sporadic armed violence, civil unrest, intercommunal conflict, and severe infrastructure limitations. These dynamics create a uniquely challenging environment for the delivery of development and humanitarian assistance.
UNOPS projects in South Sudan are often implemented in remote and underserved regions where state presence is limited or absent. The country context requires adaptive risk management, strong field coordination, and security strategies that are both dynamic and mission-enabling. The Security Officer will work within this operational reality, supporting the Country Manager in safeguarding personnel, assets, and operations while enabling effective delivery of UNOPS mandates.
The Security Officer is responsible for supporting the effective implementation of safety and security measures that protect UNOPS personnel, assets, and operations in South Sudan. The incumbent will provide advice, coordination, and operational support to ensure compliance with SRM requirements, strengthen field-level preparedness, and foster a culture of risk awareness and safe operational delivery.
The role reports operationally to the Country Manager and technically to the Africa Regional Security Adviser (RSA). The position will liaise with UNDSS, national security counterparts, project managers, and field focal points to ensure coordinated and informed decision-making on security risk management across all UNOPS locations in South Sudan.
Advisory and Technical Support
Assist in implementing SRM-compliant measures across UNOPS project locations, including Juba and field sites.
Contribute to Security Risk Assessments (SRAs), Premises Security Assessments (PSAs), and related mitigation plans.
Provide context-specific security advice to project teams during planning and implementation.
Maintain and update Security Plans, Residential Security Measures (RSMs), and Business Continuity Plans (BCPs).
Security Operations and Coordination
Act as the operational focal point for internal security matters.
Review project proposals from a security perspective and provide security recommendations.
Liaise and coordinate with UNDSS, UN agencies, and relevant national security actors.
Support planning and security arrangements for official missions, travel, and site visits.
Monitor and report on security incidents affecting personnel, premises, or operations.
Ensure compliance with Residential Security Measures (RSMs) and mandatory mitigation measures across UNOPS premises and residences.
Personnel Safety, Development and Awareness
Coordinate and deliver security briefings and induction sessions for all newly arrived personnel, contractors and visitors.
Develop and conduct security awareness and emergency preparedness training for personnel, in coordination with UNDSS.
Track compliance with mandatory security training
Maintain and update personnel contact lists, warden systems, and emergency communication systems.
Provide tailored guidance to personnel on travel safety, communication procedures, and local security dynamics.
Deliver, coordinate, and support the conduct of drills and preparedness activities (including but not limited to fire safety drills, evacuation exercises, and emergency response simulations) in Juba and support similar efforts in field sites.
Security Administration and Compliance
Maintain up-to-date security documentation and records in line with UNOPS and UNSMS standards.
Monitor security equipment (radios, PPE, tracking tools) and ensure operational readiness.
Contribute to security budgeting and monitor resource utilization.
Support compliance monitoring and maintain an internal SRM action-tracking system.
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Interagency Engagement and Reporting
Attend Security Cell, SMT/ASMT, and relevant coordination meetings as required.
Provide timely and relevant security updates to the Country Manager and RSA.
Coordinate with implementing partners and security service providers on local security arrangements.
Team Management and Capacity Development
Supervise or provide guidance to assigned security personnel and guards, ensuring adherence to procedures and professional conduct.
Facilitate effective work planning, performance monitoring and coaching to promote high-quality results and accountability.
Encourage professional growth through on-the-job mentoring and participation in UNOPS or UNDSS capacity-building activities.
Promote teamwork and collaboration across project and field security personnel to ensure consistent implementation of policies and practices.
Knowledge Building and Sharing
Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on security topics.
Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from the implementation of security projects/ initiatives.
Conduct research on security-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.
