Mar 17, 2016

Security Liaison Officer , Iraq


Employer: UNOPS
Location: Baghdad ,Iraq
Vacancy codeVA/2016/B5121/9732
Duration :  6 months, with possibility of extension
Closing:  27-Mar-2016

Background Information - UNOPS
UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.
Background Information - Job-specific


The Iraq Operations Hub (IQOH) has been established as of 1 July 2004 in view of servicing Iraq operations, under the Asia, Europe & the Middle East (AEMO); namely through the provision of a range of cost-effective project management and related services to the UN clients for results-based solutions that combine logistics, procurement, contract management, personnel recruitment and administration, financial management, institutional strengthening, capacity building and reporting.Under the project Operational Support for the Verification, Refugee Status Determination and the Search for Durable Solutions for Residents of Camp Hurriya, UNOPS will act as the implementing partner of United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq. This project represents the UNOPS component of a larger Programme that seeks to transfer the refugees from Camp Hurrya to a new location as well as assist them in finding a durable solution for the longer term. UNOPS will act as the operational lead, providing high quality services for UN personnel working in Temporary Transit Location (TTL) Camp Liberty in the areas of facility management, logistics, transportation, communications and security.
Functional Responsibilities


Under the direct supervision of the Senior Security Advisor ,the Security Liaison Officer will provide his/her security awareness expertise in circumstances where the assessment had identified that no specific threat exists against the UN Protectees/ personnel.

Usually a United Nations Official with this assessment will not receive any Protective Services, however in circumstances where the high profile personality of the UN Protectee/ personnel might attract unwanted attention, or where there would be damage to the reputation of the Organization, should the United Nations Official be the subject of generic risks such as street crime or carjacking or physical attack, the Security Liaison Officer provides an option for a discreet escalation in Protective Services.

Security Liaison Officers are normally single person deployments but can be deployed as teams of two or more, if the duration of the need is extended and the fatigue of the officer could become an issue. The Security Liaison Officer will be deployed with a team of UN Guard Unit (UNGU) personnel that are trained and mandated to provide armed Mobile Security Detachment (MSD) tasks to protect other UN Personnel. The Security Liaison Officer will coordinate the allocated UNGU Mobile Security Detachment personnel as tasked by and on behalf of the Chief Security Adviser.

The duty station of Security Liaison Officer will be Baghdad however he or she may be deployed to any duty-station inside Iraq. Security Liaison Officers will report directly to UNOPS Senior Security Liaison Officer who will in turn report directly to the UNOPS Program Manager for all administrative and logistic related issues. The UNAMI Chief Security Adviser is the operational supervisor and tasking authority of the Security Liaison Officer and the UNGU MSD for all security protective operations related issues.

Operational Command: All members of the Security Liaison team will be under the operational command of the Senior Security Liaison Officer in close coordination with the UNAMI Security Section in Iraq (SSI). The Senior Security Liaison Officer will report to the Chief Security Advisor as per the provisions of the Framework of Accountability. Administration and Logistics support will be provided by UNOPS.

Functional Responsibilities

· Perform UN Security Liaison Officer’s duties inside Iraq in support of Project Hurriya

· Conduct Security liaison operations in accordance with the UNOPS project requirements, as outlined in the UN Personal protection management manual and in close coordination with UNAMI SSI.

· Attend team briefings on protection and security related issues.

· Provide guidelines, instructions, and support to Drivers in accordance with the established procedures.

· Provide security awareness focus to all UN staff and able to identify failings in the program and security arrangement during missions/official business which might expose UN Protectees to unnecessary risk.

· Keep in close contact with UNAMI Security and remain aware of any ongoing Security situation or threat that may affect the safety and security of the UN Staff members.

· May perform advance party duties to assess venues, collect information, conduct reconnaissance and liaise with all relevant security authorities/counterparts when required.

· Operate electronic counter measures and high tech equipment used in protection of UN Staff Members.

· Establish relationship and liaise with focal points from the relevant embassies as related to the operational

· Support of Project Hurriya activities.

· Adhere to ALL SOPs and instructions relevant to the SLO functions and as issued by the Office of the Designated Official for Iraq and/or the Chief Security Adviser.



SLO routine assignments will involve frequent interaction with the following:

· UNAMI SSI Staff members, UNHCR members and UNAMI staff working on Project Hurriya.

· Other UN Agencies staff members.

· UNOPS personnel.

· Government Officials of Iraq (GOI);

· Iraqi nationals



Deployment to Iraq:

Security Liaison Officers will be required to deploy into a UN Security Level Four (high) /Five (Substantial) areas, which will require Security Induction and Awareness Training (SAIT) conducted in Erbil, Iraq. Officers will undertake specific SLO operational training which focuses on SLO techniques and procedures as identified by UNAMI SSI.

The [incumbent/personnel] is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Competencies


Competencies

Ø Professionalism:

· Internal knowledge of UNAMI protection and security policies, processes and procedures.

· Good technical skills to understand and consolidate the varying specializations such as electronics, communications, mechanics and other sophisticated devices encountered in personal protection operations;

· Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given;

· Ability to detect and identify dangerous objects and knowledge of how to deal with such objects;

· Ability to remain calm in an emergency situation;

· Willingness to work shifts; trustworthy;

· High sense of responsibility and alertness;

· Be physically fit for duty;

· Emotional stability and neatness;

· Good knowledge of the locations of organizational units, functions and key personnel;

· Shows pride in work and achievements;

· Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;

· Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns, shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.

· Has a high sense of confidentiality, initiative and good judgment.

· Has a demonstrated ability for protection and security functions and responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Ø Communication:

· Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;

· Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;

· Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communications;

· Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;

· Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

· Has a demonstrated ability to communicate using VHF, HF and Satellite phone systems.

Ø Teamwork:

· Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals Planning and Organizing:

· Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;

· Identifies priority activities and assignments;

· Adjusts priorities as requires; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;

· Forecasts risks and allows for contingencies when planning;

· Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;

· Use time efficiently

Ø Accountability:

· Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honors commitments;

· Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed times, cost and quality standards;

· Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;

· Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments, takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable

Ø Creativity:

· Actively seeks to improve programmes or services;

· Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;

· Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;

· Thinks “outside the box”;

· Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;

· Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches

Ø Client Orientation:

· Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view, establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;

· Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;

· Anticipate problems;

· keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;

· Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Ø Commitment to Continuous Learning:

· Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupations/profession;

· Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally ;

· Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates;

· Shows willingness to learn from others;

· Seeks feedback to learn and improve.

Ø Technological Awareness:

· Keeps abreast of available technology;

· Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;

· Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;

· Shows willingness to learn new technology.


Education/Experience/Language requirements
· Advance university degree in related field. A first level degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications / Technical or vocational certificate in military or police procedures and practices and self-defense techniques or related field and an additional 2 years of relevant security experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
· Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible security experience with a national or international police or private security organization. Training in martial arts and/or specialized security practices and procedures an asset. Experience in protective operations in Iraq or Afghanistan is particularly desirable.
· Previous work with diplomatic missions is an advantage.
· Fluency in spoken and written English is required; knowledge of a second UN language and Fluency in Arabic is an advantage.



Additional Considerations


· FEMALE Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
· The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.· A valid driver’s license is a requirement.
Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA 2
Contract duration: 6 months, with possibility of extension

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx


Additional Considerations
Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.