The Security Specialist reports to the Country Security Manager (CSM) and maintains a secondary technical reporting line to the next most senior security professional (matrix management). The Security Specialist is responsible for advising the CSM on their security duties and responsibilities in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems. The Security Specialist contributes to the UNICEF mandate through strong security risk analysis, advice, and relevant mitigation. The Security Specialist manages and supports, on behalf of the CSM/Representative, all security activities in the country/area.

The Security Specialist implements and manages security activities at the duty station in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) including the UN Department of Safety and Security as well as NGO partners in line with the Saving Lives Together (SLT) policy. As a member of the Security Cell, contributes to the development of assessments, procedures and guidelines including Security Risk Management (SRM) processes, SRM measures, and the relevant Security Plan(s).

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, a safe place

www.unicef.org/somalia 

How can you make a difference? 

1. Security Risk Management and Planning

• Advise and support the CSM/Representative in the execution of his/her duties with regards to the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.  Attend as an observer, A/SMT meetings, assist the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participate as a member of the security cell established by UNDSS.
• Provide advice on and manage the implementation of all technical security requirements identified in the SRMs, the Security Plan(s) and the Residential Security Measures (RSM), and support the compliance with other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments.
• Prepare, maintain, and update UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provide the CSM/Representative with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines. This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).

2. Security Services

• Monitor the security situation and provide independent and comprehensive security analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the security of UNICEF personnel, eligible family members, premises, assets and resources.
• Implement security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participate, coordinate and/or undertake security risk management for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
• Plan and execute road convoys in a high threat environment, liaising with host government and/or armed private security elements as required.
• Ensure that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the Security Plan(s) as it relates to UNICEF.
• Ensure there is an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System.
• Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises.
• Conduct security surveys of international personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).
• Provide technical oversight for UNICEF contracted security providers such as guards service.
• Provide advice on technological security prevention and mitigation measures in relation to access control systems, premises monitoring and staff/vehicle tracking.
• Provide advice on technological security prevention and mitigation measures in relation to access control systems, premises monitoring and staff/vehicle tracking.
• Develop and conduct security training for UNICEF personnel as required.
• Monitor that all UNICEF offices comply with and periodically exercise security procedures/protocols and guidelines including: Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and UNICEF’s Global Security Compliance platform.
• Oversee the recruitment of additional UNICEF Security personnel, if required.

3. Programmatic Security Information Analysis

• Provide analysis to understand security dynamics. Ensure the analysis addresses environmental, socio-economic and political factors that make geographical areas difficult to access and have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes.
• Work closely with the UNICEF personnel in country to ensure security considerations are mainstreamed into programmes and integrate all relevant analysis and security measures into the planning and implementation of UNICEF activities.
• Support UNICEF Management in the development and implementation of access strategies, preparedness plans, and programme contingency plans as required.

4. Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establishes contact and maintains networks with UNSMS, I/NGO, diplomatic, and international community security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
• Collaborate and coordinate with UNDSS and the Security Cell to enable UNICEF activities.
• Ensure that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.

5.   Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building 

• Develop capacity of national staff members by providing opportunities to expand professional skills and leadership experience.
• Introduce technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Ensure training provided is gender and disability inclusive
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
• Share best practices and knowledge learned

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR here]

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

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree is required.
• *A university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree with two additional years or more work experience. 
• A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in global security risk management and/or security analysis is required. 
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language of the duty station is an asset.

Desirables:

• Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System 
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

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

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.