Based in Syria and Gaza Deadline for Applications :15 January 2018
(1 January 2018 for internal applicants)
Duration
1 or 2 year appointment, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need.
Vacancy Announcement Number : 17-FO-VS-69
UNRWA encourages applications from qualified women and welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.
UNRWA, the largest United Nations operation in the Middle East with over 30,000 staff working across five areas of operation, is looking for professionals like you.
UNRWA’s strategic objectives
UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. In line with this mission, the Agency works towards five strategic outcomes: (a) Palestine refugee rights under international law are protected and promoted; (b) Palestine refugee health is protected and disease burden is reduced; (c) school-age children complete quality, equitable and inclusive basic education; (d) Palestine refugee capabilities are strengthened for increased livelihood opportunities; and (e) Palestine refugees are able to meet their basic human needs of food, shelter and environmental health.
Do you want to make a lasting difference?
If you are passionate about making a difference in all aspects of one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. In this role, you will provide guidance and support to front line Area Staff by managing and overseeing all the security and risk management activities across the Syria or Gaza Field and advise on all safety and security related issues, ensure that senior management, as well as front line Area staff, is kept informed of security developments and be in a position to take appropriate action when required.
The main responsibilities include:
· Advising on and operationalizing all aspects of UNRWA security and risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness in the Field, with a focus on front line Area staff security, particularly those areas heavily impacted by the current conflict. The Senior Field Security Officer (SFSO) will be serving as a principal advisor and assisting the Director of UNRWA Operations/Affairs (DUO/DUA) and Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations/Affairs (DDUO/DDUA) in the execution of their security responsibilities in the Field. The SFSO will be ensuring UNRWA’s Security and Risk Management system is context specific and tailored to the needs of front line Staff. S/he will be supporting the identification, implementation of security and risk management best practices and other Standard Operation Procedures across the Field. The SFSO will be ensuring UNRWA’s participation in the UN Security Management System and supporting UNRWA’s compliance with safety and security requirements as appropriate. The SFSO will also be maintaining close co-operation with UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), Agency Funds and Programmes Security Officer(s), as well as with the Host Government, community and beneficiaries. The SFSO will be managing the Field Security Risk and Management (FSRM) team. In this context, SFSO will be performing the following:
· Security Risk Assessment:
I. Developing, as required, security risk assessments outlining potential risks and recommending prevention and mitigation strategies towards improving the safety and security of front line Area staff and installations with a particular emphasis at the Camp level;
II. In close cooperation with the DUO/DUA and DDUO/DDUA and Department Heads, ensuring that security initiatives are fully coordinated, approved and integrated into appropriate Agency-wide policy;
III. Preparing comprehensive threat analysis and security risk assessments to include all area staff, locations, installations and activities in the assigned Field;
IV. Performing security assessments, both routine and exceptional, as required, to ensure optimal prevention and mitigation measures are in place;
V. Assisting/providing inputs in coordination with DSRM, HQ (Amman) in the implementation, further development and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the security and risk management system for Area staff with the objective to minimize risk in the contextual, programmatic and professional work place-risk categories for front line Area staff;
VI. Reporting on UNRWA security incidents as required and ensuring that the Agency Security Incident Management System (SIMS) is fully implemented, kept up-to-date and reports filed properly. overseeing the upgrading of the SIMS to provide critical information for analysis at the assigned Field Office; encouraging incident reporting at the Camp and Area level;
VII. Participating in and providing safety and security inputs to operational and planning documents such as the Headquarters/Field Implementation Plan and the Security and Risk Management Best Practices Guide as required. Supporting the identification of existing best practices on the ground on her/his Field of operations.
· Security Plan and Safety and Security Requirements
I. Reviewing security arrangements for all offices and maintaining instructions such as security, contingency, emergency and evacuation plans as required; engaging and building office, installations and shelter managers’ capacity in relation to security arrangement of their pertained offices/installations;
II. Supporting and supervising the implementation and adherence to the Camp Security Plan and coordinating capacity building efforts for relevant front line staff with the support of the available security resources on the ground (Mobile Security Officers);
III. Preparing, maintaining and updating the Field specific safety and security contingency plans in accordance with the United Nations Security Policy Manual that governs International staff and UNRWA risk management system for Area staff; coordinating and organizing emergency medical evacuation and convoy security procedures;
IV. Ensuring that all new International and Area staff personnel receive briefings upon arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security;
V. Supporting the design and supervising implementation of the assigned Field Office front line staff capacity building plan, including SSAFE training programme for front line staff and Professional work-place risk training to identify at most risk categories of staff;
VI. Supporting the International staff warden/information systems as required;
VII. Ensuring that UNRWA Field Office procedures conform to the UNSMS and UNRWA policy and standards as appropriate, and that UNRWA personnel are included in the Security Plan comprising International staff with dependents and the Area staff;
VIII. Ensuring that appropriate staff tracking procedures are in place for all UNRWA staff travel; ensuring compliance of International staff with Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) including the security clearance process;
IX. Ensuring International staff’s adherence and compliance to various (UNDSS and UNRWA specific) security plans and advisories, such as warden systems, Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and Residential Security Measures ( RSM);
X. Assisting the Field Director in assessing and implementing MOSS with a view towards MOSS compliance for International staff and supporting the development and implementation of operational procedures and standards with regard to contextual, programmatic and professional work-place risk categories for front line Area staff based on best practices in the Field.
· Office Security:
I. Overseeing the operation of the 24/7 security operations rooms which supports all UNRWA operational movements; recording and reporting of area safety and security incidents and information; conducting radio checks and providing logistics support;
II. Developing and implementing office security requirements in UNRWA installations; overseeing access control mechanism (visitors/vehicle screening) in UNRWA premises;
III. Conducting office security surveys and recommending physical security measures to her/his supervisor;
IV. Assessing fire safety arrangements (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, etc.) in UNRWA premises and making recommendations to responsible units regarding fire safety arrangements; preparing fire/building evacuation plans and conducts periodical drills;
V. Developing a plan to engage front line Area Staff, beneficiaries and community further into the installation security.
· Emergency Communications System (ECS):
I. Ensuring that all security and communications equipment are functioning and in good condition including radio communications;
II. Ensuring that radio communication training is provided to staff that are required to use various communications means;
III. Ensuring that adequate communication system is in place at the Area-Camp level and that front-line Area staff engages and relates to it.
· Reporting and liaison:
I. Advising the Field Director, Programme Managers on security and risk management components in programmes and ensuring that these components are included in all appeals and in project planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation; preparing security related budget proposals and following up security related procurement and construction with relevant departments;
II. Updating the DUO/DUA, DDUO/DDUA and DSRM at HQ(A) and UNDSS country offices on relevant security developments; participating as a member of the country security cell; attending the Security Management Team (SMT) meetings in support of her/his supervisor as required;
III. Establishing and maintaining contacts with area and programme staff, Chiefs of Area Offices, Camp Service Officers and programmatic front line area staff as appropriate; establishing and maintaining contacts with national security agencies and authorities, and security officials of diplomatic missions and international organizations to obtain/share the best information pertaining to protection for UNRWA staff and operations;
IV. Establishing and maintaining communication links with Designated Official, Security Management Team, Area Security Coordinators and other Field security personnel;
V. Establishing a flow of accurate and timely security related information to management and staff.
· Managing FSRM staff and assets in terms of budget, monitoring and evaluation, and donor reporting obligations;
· Implementing Residential Security Measures (RSM), conducting residential security surveys of UNRWA international staff and recommending physical security measures to Area staff members; preparing justification for residential security measures as required; reporting all security related incidents involving UNRWA staff as per Agency guidelines and making sure that these are entered into the Security Information Management System; assessing and following up these incidents as needed; investigating and following up on incidents as needed;
· Planning, supervising and delivering security training to UNRWA staff; organizing and maintaining country files on security issues (assessments, security plans, messages, maps, etc.).
Conditions of service
UNRWA offers an attractive and competitive compensation package including annual salary starting for $70,647 net tax free, plus post adjustment as follows: Damascus 36.5% and Gaza 56.7% (both subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
ü Dependency allowances
ü Rental subsidy
ü Education grant for children
ü Home leave travel
ü 6 weeks (30 working days) annual leave
ü Pension fund entitlements under the
UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
ü International health insurance; optional
life insurance
ü Disability protection
Additional benefits available to staff working in Syria:
ü Danger pay
ü Family visit travel
ü Hardship allowance
ü Rest and recuperation leave every 4
ü Non-family service allowance
weeks (subject to change without notice)
Additional benefits available to staff working in Gaza:
ü Hardship allowance
ü Non-family service allowance
ü R&R leave (currently every 8 weeks)
ü Family visit travel
ü Support for settling-in of staff
members’ families in nearby locations*
* While Gaza is a non-family duty station, eligible staff members may set up a second household in a nearby location to have their family nearby. However, Gaza remains the official duty station with any travel outside the duty station being subject to management approval and in accordance to office practices to ensure international staff presence in Gaza at all times.
Additional information
The incumbent may be required to travel to other locations within UNRWA area of operations.
To qualify for this position, you will need:
Education
An advanced university degree (Master) from an accredited educational institution in a relevant discipline such as political science, international relations, humanitarian law, human rights, conflict studies, social sciences or international law with a focus on security and risk management; a first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree;
Work
experience
A minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in security and risk management with the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) or International Organization (IO) Security Management or International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) Security Management and/or experience in police or military, including a minimum of two years at international level outside your home country;
Progressively responsible practical experience at the Field/country level in moderate to high risk security environments within UNSMS, IO security management, INGO Security Management;
Language(s)
Fluency in spoken and written English.
Desirable qualifications:
· Additional technical certification in relation to security and risk management such as security management, community security, civilian-military coordination, human rights & protection, close protection, counter-terrorism, intelligence management, hostage management, operational planning and investigation, crisis management and emergency or disaster planning;
· Senior Staff College (military or police) training;
· Additional management, programme and project management qualifications;
· Knowledge of UN field security operations/ UN Field Security Officer/Adviser experience;
· In possession of UN Security Certification Programme (SCP) certificate;
· Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations relating to security;
· Knowledge of humanitarian operations, humanitarian, human rights, and/or international refugee law;
· Experience working in conflict settings;
· Familiarity with UNRWA, its mandate, programmes and delivery modality.
You will also need to demonstrate the following competencies:
· Demonstrated competence in management, problem solving skills and excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills;
· Understanding and demonstrated application of security planning, security risk management as related to staff, installations and programmes;
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a team environment and with people of diverse backgrounds, culture and nationalities;
· A high level of written and verbal communication skills and practical report and proposal writing experience;
· Basic paramedic knowledge/skills;
· Judgment and decision-making skills;
· Promotes learning environment in the office/field; provides constructive coaching and feedback to others;
· Creates an empowering and motivating environment;
· Good command of MS Office applications.
For guidance on how to prepare for competency-based interviews:
https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=AYI
Who we are
For over 65 years, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) has been working on the ground in five fields of operations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip providing direct assistance and protection for some 5 million Palestine refugees in the Middle East. UNRWA is mandated by the UN General Assembly to provide this assistance and its mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development until there is a just and lasting solution for their plight. UNRWA restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who have been uprooted by conflict with services encompassing education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.