Location: Kathmandu, Nepal
Regional Security Manager, P-5
Job no: 494187
The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children's rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society's most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
Job organizational context
This is a Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA)-based post in Kathmandu, Nepal with frequent travels to eight UNICEF Country Offices (COs) in the South Asia Region including countries with low intensity or active conflicts as well as countries that are prone to natural disasters (e.g. earthquakes; floods; cyclones etc.) The post also covers fourteen COs in East Asia and the Pacific on an as needed basis, as requested by the Regional Director, East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO).
Purpose for the job
Under the overall supervision of the Regional Director, the Regional Security Manager will be responsible for assisting in the strategic management of regional security operations and for providing guidance and assistance to the Regional Director and CO Representatives on all elements of their respective responsibilities in accordance with the UN/UNICEF Framework of Accountability. Working closely with Regional Emergency Adviser, the Regional Security Manager will be responsible for coordinating a cohesive approach to security throughout the region and providing technical support to CO Security Advisers within the South Asia Region and liaising with the Principal Security Coordinator on the application of UN Security Management System (UNSMS) Policies and Procedures. He/She will liaise closely with UNDSS Chief Security Advisors (CSAs)/Security Advisors (SAs)and other UN Security Personnel within the South Asia Region as well as Host Country Authorities as required and will collaborate with the Regional Chief of HR.
Key functions, accountabilities and related duties/tasks
1. Security Coordination
· Provide advice and assistance to the ROSA Regional Director, the Regional Emergency Advisor and other ROSA senior management staff primarily the CO Representatives on all aspects of security coordination throughout the region;
· Monitor developments in the South Asia region related to safety and security of UNICEF personnel and programme delivery and update the Regional Director accordingly;
· Advise the ROSA Regional Director, the Regional Emergency Adviser and ROSA senior management on steps needed with regard to multi-country or regional geo-security environment and key political dynamics that have the potential to impact on programme delivery;
· Provide feedback to CO Representatives on security aspects of sitreps and other relevant programme documents and the potential impact on the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and programme delivery;
· Update the UNICEF Principal Security Coordinator (PSC) through OPSCEN on security and political developments in the region. Inform the PSC directly if the situation requires immediate attention by NYHQs;
· Participate in the selection of Security Advisors, assistants, guard services and related security services. Provide guidance on training requirement.
Assist CO Representatives, Heads of Offices and Operations Officers who have direct oversight of security personnel and guard services at Country Office level and support them on matters related to recruitment and performance evaluation;
· Assist the Regional Director and CO Representatives on determining financial and human resources required for ensuring the safety and security of personnel, premises and programme delivery;
· Establish a favorable working environment with UNDSS CSAs/SAs, Field Security Country Officers (FSCOs), UNICEF CO Representatives, Security Focal Points and Operations Officers as well as Security Advisors from other Agency Funds and Programmes (AFPs) and Host Country Authorities as required.
2. Security Risk Management and Analysis
· Assist CO Representatives and Heads of Offices to prepare Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) of UNICEF's Country and Field Offices and undertake specific Security Risk Assessments as required;
· Proactively monitor situations and events in the South Asia Region – and East Asia and the Pacific as needed -- and gather and analyze information with the aim of identifying emerging trends and providing early warning of any potential threats that may affect the safety and security of UNICEF staff, premises, assets and impact programme delivery;
· Consolidate reporting from Country Offices and provide an analysis in the regional context, highlighting the potential impact this may have on programme delivery and particularly, in L2 and L3 emergencies locations as needed;
· Work closely with key Regional Office Advisors and staff, think tank networks within the region and globally with the objective of sustaining and strengthening the internal security risk management and analysis processes.
3. Security Planning
• Monitor situations and events in the Region and gather and analyse information with the aim of identifying emerging trends and providing early warning of any potential situation that may affect the safety and security of UNICEF staff, premises and assets throughout the Region and that may also impact programme delivery;
• Consolidate reporting from Country Offices and provide an analysis on the implication this may have regionally and the potential impact this may have on programme delivery and particularly, in L3 and L2 emergencies locations as needed;
• Participate in selection of staff security officers or assistants, guard services, etc. and ensure adequate training is provided.
4. Crisis Management
· Immediately inform the ROSA Regional Director, Regional Emergency Adviser and other senior RO staff of any significant incident pertaining to security;
· If so requested by the Regional Director, establish a regional crisis center as needed, able to communicate with OPSCEN and the countries involved and monitor developments;
· Assist the Regional Director, Regional Emergency Adviser and CO Representatives with Security Planning, Emergency/Crisis Preparedness – including through Business Continuity Management (BCM) processes -- in accordance with the country specific situation and security requirements;
· Ensure that CO Representatives in a sub region affected by the crisis are kept informed of key security issues, as well as other relevant stakeholders under the SMS and/or authorities depending the situation and in coordination with the COs;
· Assess the adequate nomination of the duty officer communication's responsibility during the crisis to serve as the RO's "single point of contact" on matters related to the crisis;
· Ensure appropriate communication with Country Offices that are involved in the crisis and coordinating the support requirements;
· On a need case basis, provide operational assistance and background contributions to the HQ/DSS coordinated management of any security incident involving UNICEF staff.
· Co-ordinate any emergency medical evacuation;
· Upon the Regional Director's delegation of power, and in coordination with the PSC and the legal office at HQ and UNDSS, ensure the follow-up on any cases of arrest or detention.
5. Compliance Monitoring
· Monitor that Country Offices comply with and periodically exercise security procedures/protocols and guidelines including: MOSS compliance, building evacuation plans warden system, security awareness and briefings, fire safety and communication plan;
· Review proposals for countries MOSS before and security local cost shared budget (CSB) and SMT minutes and provide advice when warranted.
6. Training
· Provide briefings and presentations to UNICEF senior managers with security responsibilities on current and new UN security policies and guidelines and tools;
· Identify technical support and provide training on security management for UNICEF staff in the region, including for developing and testing Business Continuity Plans. Coordinate with the OSC nomination of security personnel to UNDSS/TDS and other AFPs training courses;
· Provide gender sensitive security awareness training to UNICEF and implementing partner's personnel.
Qualifications of the Successful Candidate
Education
Advanced university degree in Social or Political Science, or a discipline related to Risk Management, International Relations, Conflict Analysis and Resolution or equivalent formal training in security and risk management such as military and/or police senior Command College.
A first university degree and fourteen years of relevant experience in lieu of an advanced degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional work experience, with at least two years field experience of the UNSMS, proven crisis management and strong background in political and security analysis ideally in a regional context.
Analysis /information capabilities from a police / military contexts would be considered an asset.
Experience in working in a team responding to hostage taking would be an advantage.
Experience in working in crisis / humanitarian response locations enabling programme delivery is required.
Language
Fluency in oral and written English is required.
* The successful candidate is expected to join the duty station within 31 days of receiving an offer.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
Apply now