Security Officer NO-A, Fixed Term, Mekelle, Ethiopia, #00125346 (Open to Ethiopian Nationals only)

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Year In Review – YouTube

For every child, love

Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent with an estimated population of 115 million. It borders six African countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, and covers 1,104,300 square kilometers. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures with Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its people.

Over the past two years, children and their families across Ethiopia faced multiple and complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the northern Ethiopia and the drought, which resulted in millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNICEF has programmes in Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education and serves over 15 million children in Ethiopia. Join UNICEF Ethiopia to contribute to improving the lives of children and women.

 How can you make a difference?

Roles and responsibilities

Security Risk Management and Planning

• Collect, record and report to supervisor all information related to the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and resources in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.
• In close coordination with the supervisor, assist in the implementation of all technical requirements contained in the UN Area Security Plan, Security Risk Management (SRM) Measures, Residential Security Measures (RSM), and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments.
• Assist the supervisor in drafting UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans such as, but not limited to, fire and evacuation plans, and assist in the compiling of mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines.
• Assist the supervisor in drafting routine security reports/returns including but not limited to Security Incident Reports (SIRs).

Safety and Security Services 

• Assist the supervisor in monitoring the security situation and emerging security threats to UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and resources.
• Assist the supervisor in security activities that support UNICEF staff, premises and operations for all locations where UNICEF personnel and/or eligible family members are present.
• Assist in providing on-going routine technical support for contracted security service providers.
• Under the direct guidance of the supervisor, share information with UNICEF personnel and eligible family members that would affect their safety and security and information regarding the actions to take in the event of an emergency, including those identified in the UNICEF/UN Security Plans.
• Support the supervisor in the establishment of effective and functioning Communications/Warden Systems for UNICEF and the periodic testing of these systems.
• Support the supervisor in the conduct of all security related contingency exercises particularly relating to administration, communications and logistics.

Security Networking and Partnership Building

• With guidance from the supervisor, actively maintain official liaison with host government counterparts, local authorities and other stakeholders responsible for security, law and order and security counterparts within the UNSMS/NGO community through UNDSS.

Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity building

• Assist the Supervisor in coordinating with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake mandatory security training/briefings.
• Assist the supervisor to develop and conduct Area level familiarization sessions for contracted security guards specifically regarding their UN/UNICEF related duties and responsibilities.
• Assist the supervisor to develop and conduct training sessions for drivers to familiarize/refresh them with safe and defensive driving techniques.
• Assist in the provision of any security related training for UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, particularly to ensure comprehension by those more comfortable in the local language.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• A university degree in one of the following fields is required: Security Risk Management, International Relations, Conflict Analysis, Intelligence Analysis, Diplomatic Studies, Conflict and Security, Counter Terrorism, Law or another relevant technical field.

Experience:

• A minimum of one years of professional experience in global security risk management and/or security analysis is required.
• Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated extensive experience and loyal service in the military/police forces and national security services is an asset.

Language requirements:

Fluency in English and Tigrinya is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
• Works Collaboratively with others (1)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. 

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.