Sep 2, 2015

Field Security Officer - Consultant


Employer: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Location:
Closing date: 30 Sep 2015

Job Purpose

The Field Security Officer is responsible for strategic security issues within the defined area of responsibility in accordance with UN and FAO Security Management Systems. The Field Security Officer manages security activities in support of the Country/Area and provides independent security advice on FAO operations within the Country/Area.

The scope of this job is established in line with the Emergency Response Priorities of coordination, assessment, and time-critical interventions.

FAO’s Mission and FAO in Emergencies

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is committed to achieving food security for all by making sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

FAO plays a critical role in preparing for and responding to emergency needs arising from both slow and sudden onset natural disasters, food chain emergencies, socio-economic crises, nuclear emergencies, protracted crises and violent conflicts that threaten agriculture, food and nutrition security and/or food safety. FAO’s work in emergencies focuses on reducing people’s vulnerability to hazards before, during and after disasters through risk assessment, risk reduction, emergency response and rehabilitation. Learn more about the Organization’s work in emergencies by visiting our website at http://www.fao.org/emergencies.

Key Functions and responsibilities

The Field Security Officer will:

· advise in the execution of the duties with regards to maintaining the safety and security of FAO personnel and eligible family members, premises and assets in the Country/Area in accordance with UN and FAO Security Management Systems;

· brief all Emergency Response Team members on a regular basis on essential security and safety conditions of the country, where the Operations Hub is located, and on key resources to maintain adequate security and safety and guidance on how to minimize risks.

· manage, on behalf of the Representative/Head of Office/ Emergency Coordinator, security activities in support of FAO operations;

· research and analyze technical, food and nutrition security assessments, emergency response, policy related and/or funding/project related data and information to support the delivery of Emergency Programme Objectives;

· conduct security assessments within their area of responsibility as required in support of FAO operations;

· produce various reports, proposals, programme/project documents, position papers, policy briefs, financial/donor reports as well as critical information for inclusion in governing body reports etc.;

· participate on project teams, collaborate in project and programme formulation and provide technical and/or administrative support to ongoing operational emergency and recovery projects;

· attend, as an observer, all Area Security Management Team (SMT/ASMT)meetings and assist the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate;

· liaise with FAO technical Departments as well as other UN Organizations to obtain and/or exchange information regarding food and nutrition security assessments, emergency and recovery activities and other related issues;

· participate as a member of the security coordination cell established by UNDSS;

· establish contact across their area of responsibility with all United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) Organizations’ and applicable NGO’s Security Advisors;

· establish contact across their area of responsibility with all relevant local authorities as appropriate;

· coordinate with UNDSS and conduct relevant security risk assessments for FAO in their area of responsibility;

· coordinate with UNDSS in the preparation, maintenance and updating of relevant security and contingency plans for FAO in their area of responsibility;

· provide technical/administrative support and promotes best practices to Decentralized Offices;

· maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality regarding FAO security matters;

· ensure that FAO personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security;

· monitor the security situation within their area of responsibility and provide the Representative/Head of Office, next higher level of FAO security professional with independent analysis of emerging security threats to FAO personnel and eligible family members, premises and assets;

· monitor and report to the Representative/Head of Office, next higher level of FAO security professional on security compliance for their area of responsibility;

· Continue to assess and ensure international staff are in compliance with the country-specific Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS).

· Ensure compliance by FAO personnel and recognized dependents with all security-related instructions at the duty station in line with UN Security Management System (UNSMS) policy and relevant roles and responsibilities.

· Ensure personnel, and particularly drivers’ familiarity with: routes and alternate routes, availability of accommodations along routes in the event of delay, procedures in case of accident, breakdown, checkpoints, ambush, mine/UXO

· maintain and update information systems, databases and web pages;

· perform other security duties as required.

Key Performance Indicators
Expected Outputs:


Contact across their area of responsibility with all UNSMS Organizations’ and

applicable NGO’s security advisors established;

contact across their area of responsibility with all relevant local authorities established;

security assessments within their area of responsibility in support of FAO operations conducted;

management of security activities in support of FAO operations performed.

Emergency Response Competency Indicators

All emergency response personnel are expected to exhibit the following emergency competencies:

Values:

· commitment to FAO emergency preparedness and response;

· respect affected populations by recognizing their culture, customs, rights, aspirations and fundamental dignity and accounting for their needs and capacities in developing and managing emergency response activities;

· respect and promote integrity and transparency; and

· adhere to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, operational independence and impartiality.

Core Competencies:

· maintain a results focus on the timely delivery of emergency response programme objectives;

· ensure inclusiveness and open communication when working with team members, partners and affected populations;

· promote a culture of information sharing and learning for continuous improvement with team members, partners and stakeholders;

· shared responsibility and demonstrated responsiveness to challenges faced by the team or any member of the team;

· actively engage with partners and promote collaboration while upholding and reinforcing the scope of the humanitarian mission and UN principles;

· demonstrate flexibility and resilience in changing and challenging emergency context;

· take responsibility for own actions and well-being;

· work effectively in a chaotic and unpredictable environment with limited amenities and support systems; and

· make decisions under pressure and in the absence of complete information and instruction.

Job Requirements
Skills:


All emergency response personnel should have the following:
excellent organizational skills;
good written communication skills, including in emergency settings;
demonstrated ability to analyze problems, make appropriate recommendations, effective decisions, including in emergency settings;

· strong foundation in programme formulation, planning, implementation, management and evaluation. Minimum Requirements:

· Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a discipline relevant to the mandate of the Organization; A first-level University degree, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of Advanced University degree; Secondary school diploma combined with 10 years of progressively responsible experience may be accepted as well;

· Minimum of 5 years of experience in security risk management, international security management, military, police as well as experience in liaising and coordinating with civilian and military government authorities. Understanding of the United Nations Security Management System and military and/or police training, experience or formal security education would be an asset.

· Working knowledge of English. Limited knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish, according to the country of assignment.

FAO. 2014. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations: About FAO. (http://www.fao.org/about/en/)
HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete the on-line application. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered.

Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile. We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.

Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

Your application will be considered only if supported by the following documentation:

a) a) a valid copy of your Basic and Advanced Security in the Field certificates (mandatory; this course is available at the following link: https://training.dss.un.org);

b) b) a valid copy of your passport (mandatory);

c) c) a valid copy of your UNLP (only if available);

d) e) a copy of the SSAFE certificate (only if available);

e) f) a signed and complete copy of ADM 93/e Pre-Release Agreement (mandatory for FAO staff only or consultants)

f)If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org