E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Accra, Ghana

NOA

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2025-01-27

February 20, 2025

Assistant Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Assistant Field Security Officer supports and undertakes activities pertaining to workforce security and security for persons of concern. The incumbent supports and provides guidance in all security-related aspects of the operation.

The incumbent is supervised by a senior officer who defines the work objectives and provides general guidance. The incumbent may provide input to the supervision of general service staff in the office.

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

• Support the Representative or the Head of Office in managing the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, partners, operations, and premises.
• Support in the development of security risk management processes in close cooperation with UNHCR managers, UNDSS and the security cell, identifying the appropriate security risk management measures and monitoring compliance of same.
• Assist in the development of security plans for evacuation/relocation, medical evacuation, and other security contingencies.
• In cooperation with UNHCR senior personnel, assist in ensuring that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
• Respond to personnel queries on security issues and provide immediate assistance or security-related advice as required.
• As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including host government law enforcement authorities, the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and partner agencies.
• Support UNHCR management as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT) or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), and Area Security Coordinators (ASC).
• Provide country-relevant security advice and training to UNHCR personnel and, where appropriate, to personnel of NGOs and operational partners.
• Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that personnel are familiar with security contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency, including for Wardens.
• Prepare periodic reports and incident reports on security in accordance with UNSMS and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and, as appropriate, regional security coordinators and the Field Security Service.
• Maintain linkages with the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
• Contribute to a person-centered approach to all aspects of UNHCR security risk management, ensuring inclusion of the diverse personal profiles of personnel and the development of appropriate support and measures.
• Undertake other security-related duties as determined by the supervisor.
• Understand all required security learning and training and ensure that changes in security policies and processes are effectively communicated to personnel.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues, and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Security Management Risk Management; Political Science;

International Relations; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program; First Aid Training;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified.

Desirable

Experience in having established working networks with law enforcement and other security actors.

Functional Skills

FS-Security Planning

FS-Security Analysis

CO-Drafting and Documentation

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.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

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.

The desired candidate profile for this position is as follows:

– Proven safety & security training skills is desired.

– Previous work experience with Police or Military is desired.

– Knowledge of UNSMS security risk management process is required.

– Experience in the humanitarian, public, private, or corporate sector is desirable.

– Specialized experience in such areas as security programmes, risk assessments, or analysis is
desirable.

– Previous work experience with humanitarian organizations operating in Northeast Nigeria is an
added advantage.
– Previous working experience in a similar position with a UN organization or International
Humanitarian Organization is highly desired.

– Experience in planning, design, implementation, or review of risk mitigation measures related to
operations impacted by insecurity is desirable.

,

,

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Road safety remains a concern in and other parts of Borno state. Frequent road traffic accidents are recorded across the state. Diseases such as Malaria, Cholera etc. are prevalent in Maiduguri and other areas. COVID-19 (coronavirus); restrictions have been relaxed. However, the government implemented measures to prevent the spread of the virus, and updates can be seen on Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) web page link:

https://ncdc.gov.ng/diseases/guidelines

Travelers should ensure that they have a valid C-19 Vaccination and Yellow fever immunization Cards, as this may be requested upon arrival. There is an UN Clinic in Maiduguri and few UN-recommended hospitals as well. A comprehensive UN Medical Evacuation plan is also in place for the NE operation. For further details on occupational safety, staff members are encouraged to contact OHS Focal Persons.

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Sub Office Maiduguri covers one field Office (Yola) and has 70 staff members disaggregated into 18 internationals (Professional and IUNVs) and 52 nationals (National officer, General Service, UNOPS, NUNV Contract holders) and reports directly to the Country Office in Abuja. The SO Maiduguri is implementing the Protection and Assistance Programs and plays an important role in the coordination of Cameroonian refugees and IDPs. The Assistant Field Security Officer is supervised by the Head of Sub Office in Maiduguri.

The Assistant Field Security Officer, reporting to the Head of Sub Office, takes on the role of leading, coordinating and providing appropriate guidance related to security management within UNHCR sub office. The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, implementing partners, government partners in the area to facilitate the operation. The incumbent directly supervises the Field Security Associate position at Maiduguri sub office.

In the context of Maiduguri sub-Office, the incumbent will also perform the below duties:

– Advise and support the Head of Sub Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR staff, partners, operations, premises and refugees or persons of concern.

– Undertake periodic security assessments in close co-operation with UNHCR senior staff members and interagency partners, analyzing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programs.

– Maintain close co-operation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), ensuring UNHCR’s understanding of applicable requirements, cooperating in security assessments, and planning and supporting UNDSS understanding of agency requirements.

– Support UNHCR staff serving as members of the Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens.

– Provide 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 and responding to specific threats within the environment.

– Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that staff are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency.

Living and Working Conditions:

Maiduguri has a tropical savanna climate that boarders on a hot semi-arid climate with a dry season and a wet season. The temperature is warm year-round, with August and September having the lowest average high at 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) and December having the lowest average at 16.9°C (62.4°F). March has as the highest average high of 43.8°C (109.0°F), while April has the highest average low at 27.0 °C (80.6 °F). The highest temperatures occur in March and April, just before the wet season starts.

Security Consideration

Borno State is a high-risk area and continue to be the epicenter of the insurgency with Maiduguri town as its state capital. Most parts of the Northeast region of Nigeria are affected by armed conflict and terrorism with crimes including abductions/kidnapping for ransom also prevalent. Being a Level 5 High-Risk Duty station, mandatory adherence to all SRM measures is vital for safety and security of UNHCR personnel and/or assets and operations.

Missions to the deep field where most IDPs reside is dependent on UNHAS helicopters that fly to various deep field locations. Official movements within the town are safe and carried out with armored vehicles. For now, movement by road out of Maiduguri town has been suspended due to high risk of abductions/kidnappings perpetrated by None State Armed Groups (NSAGs).

There is a UN Clinic located in Maiduguri as well as a few other health facilities available in the city. Should there be any need for referral to larger hospitals, referrals are made to the capital city Abuja.

National staff reside in Maiduguri town. For their own security and that of dependent family members, staff are advised to ensure residential security measures in their accommodations.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, FS-Security Analysis, FS-Security Planning, IT-Computer Literacy

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Risk Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Security Management

Certifications

First Aid Training – Other, Security Management Learning Program – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

– Eligible candidates will be required to undergo a functional clearance/assessment.

– Shortlisted candidate will be required to participate in an oral interview.

– Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

This position requires Functional Clearance

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements