Cox's Bazaar, BangladeshSalary Grade : P4
Procedures and Eligibility
Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.
Duties and Qualifications
Senior Field Safety Adviser
ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The post of Senior Field Safety Adviser takes on the role of leading, coordinating and supervising all activities related to security issues within a country or operation.
The incumbent maintains contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and implementing partners to facilitate the operation.
The incumbent directly supervises UNHCR Field Safety personnel within the operation, and reports to the Representative or the Deputy Representative.
The incumbent has a responsibility to monitor, coach, guide and support staff within the given area of responsibility
FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT.
Accountability
- Country operations receive practical and well-reasoned security advice and support, helping ensure an appropriate level of safety for UNHCR¿s staff and operations and compliance with security guidelines and procedures.
- UNHCR benefits from effective and responsive support from host country law enforcement agencies and the UN Security Management System.
- Staff are aware of threats/risks and how to manage them, understand and comply with guidelines and procedures.
- Security management is efficient, well-coordinated and consistent with policies and procedures.
Responsibility
- Advise and support the Representative or Head of Office in managing staff safety and security of UNHCR staff, partners, operations, premises and refugees or persons of concern.
- Undertake regular travel within the country, assess current and potential risks and provide timely and proactive analysis to support managerial decision making.
- Provide specific recommendations regarding measures and procedures to ensure and improve the safety of UNHCR staff, operations, premises, partners and persons of concern, with specific attention to agency-specific needs such as camp security, refugee convoys and security issues related to urban refugees: provide follow-up support to ensure implementation.
- Develop plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies
- Provide regular and forward-looking analysis of the security environment, focusing on factors of risk with potential to impact UNHCR operations.
- Ensure that offices are MOSS and MORSS compliant; make sure that deficiencies are brought to the attention of management.
- In cooperation with senior management, ensure that humanitarian and security objectives are reconciled in the area of responsibility, and that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development.
- Conduct or participate in security risk assessments for UNHCR programme activities. Advise on programme criticality processes.
- As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
- Develop and maintain effective relationships with security-related actors including host government law enforcement authorities and other actors within the operating environment to ensure effective support and information sharing; provide regular feedback and analysis to country managers.
- Ensure UNHCR's effective participation in the UN Security Management System, by maintaining close co-operation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and security personnel of other UN agencies, ensure UNDSS understanding of agency requirements and contribute to development of policy and procedures to support these, cooperating in the development of security plans and procedures, and supporting UNHCR¿s role in security forums such as the Security Management Team.
- Support UNHCR staff serving as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens.
- Provide training and advice to staff and partners aimed at developing skills to plan and conduct operations safely within the specific security environment.
- Provide country-relevant security briefing, training and advice to UNHCR staff at all levels, and where appropriate, to staff of NGOs and implementing partners in all areas of field safety and security risk management.
- Provide security analysis and reports to UNHCR offices within the region of responsibility and the Field Safety Section at Headquarters according to established procedures.
- Maintain linkages with the Staff Welfare Section, and the Joint Medical Service, referring cases as required.
- Undertake other functions or responsibilities in the interest of UNHCR as appropriate and as delegated by the supervisor.
Authority
- Provide security-related advice, in written and oral form, to the manager and other staff.
- Advise on, and upon approval, implement, needed mitigating measures.
- Participate in criticality assessments.
- Represent UNHCR in interagency working groups and attend SMT or ASMT meetings as an observer.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED.
- Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) with a focus on Security Management and/or related disciplines (Business Administration, Political/Social Science, International Relations) plus minimum 8 years of previous work experience relevant to the function including 5 years security risk management experience in an international capacity. Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) plus 9 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 7 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- Also relevant would be military or police academy degree (at Officer level) at the equivalent of an advanced university degree (MA or equivalent) specifically successful completion of the Command and General Staff at a recognized military staff college or police equivalent.
- Fluency in English and another relevant UN language, including strong drafting skills.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
- Proven competences in security analysis.
- Negotiating skills.
- Organisation management.
- Proven training skills.
Position Competencies
C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M002L3 - Managing Performance Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 - Leadership Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 - Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X007L3 - Political Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3
Additional Information
For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific security and welfare profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Staff Resources (Duty of Care). These profiles have been specifically designed to answer some of the key questions (on security conditions, medical provisions, staff welfare, living and working conditions) potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care. This project is still in the pilot phase, and as such some of the information leaflets are being produced as we speak and might not be available yet. They will be soon, so keep checking.
DESIRABLE ATTRIBUTES
The Senior FSA will lead, coordinate, supervise activities related to security issues, assess risks. Provide specific recommendations regarding measures and procedures to ensure and improve the safety of UNHCR staff, operations, premises, partners and persons of concern, with specific attention to agency-specific needs such as camp security, refugee convoys and security issues related to urban refugees: provide follow-up support to ensure implementation. Develop plans for evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies. Provide regular and forward-looking analysis of the security environment, focusing on factors of risk with potential to impact UNHCR operations and ensure that offices are MOSS and MORSS compliant. Ensure that humanitarian and security objectives are reconciled in the area of responsibility, and that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development. Contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state. Ensure UNHCR's effective participation in the UN Security Management System, by maintaining close co-operation with staff of the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and security personnel of other UN agencies, ensure UNDSS understanding of agency requirements and contribute to development of policy and procedures to support these, cooperating in the development of security plans and procedures, and supporting UNHCR¿s role in security forums such as the Security Management Team. Provide training and advice to staff and partners aimed at developing skills to plan and conduct operations safely within the specific security environment.
CURRENT SITUATION
The position is located in Cox¿s Bazaar, situated along the Bay of Bengal in South Eastern Bangladesh. Prior to recent events, UNHCR¿s role in country was limited to a small number of urban refugees registered with the office in Dhaka, as well as some 33,000 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar living in two ¿official¿ refugee camps in Cox¿s Bazar. Prior to the August 2017 emergency, the estimated number of Rohingya refugees was estimated to be around 300,000 in total. The recent ongoing violence and serious human rights violations in Myanmar¿s Rakhine State triggered an influx of over 537,000 Rohingya refugees who arrived in Bangladesh since 25 August 2017, the fastest growing refugee crisis of recent years. UNHCR declared a Level 3 emergency. The situation is characterized by enormous and acute humanitarian needs. UNHCR is rapidly scaling up its presence and activities. Together with other UN and NGO partners, and in line with a recent government decision, UNHCR is now engaged in protecting and delivering assistance to all refugees, within and beyond the two registered camps. The agency already has in total 182 colleagues on the ground or on their way to Bangladesh, versus just 49 prior to these developments.
WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS
Bangladesh has a subtropical monsoon climate characterized by wide seasonal variations in rainfall, high temperatures and humidity. There are three distinct seasons: a hot, humid summer from March to June; a cool, rainy monsoon season from June to October; and a cool, dry winter from October to March.
Cox's Bazaar is a `D' category duty station with 2 years of Standard Assignment Length. Even though it is a family duty station, educational facilities are limited, international school from primary to secondary school are available in Dhaka. There are no satisfactory health services available. There are some private hospitals in Dhaka which could address simple sicknesses. Malaria risk exists throughout the year, Cox's Bazaar is a high risk area. Vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis virus is also strongly recommended.
Very basic infrastructure as well as leisure and recreational facilities are available.
International staff benefit from Rest of Recuperation (R & R) every 12 weeks. Place of R&R is Bangkok, however staff may travel where they wish to travel up to cost to Bangkok. There are domestic flights available from/to Dhaka on a daily bases.
There are UNDSS cleared hotel available, the rates differ depending on the availability and season.
They are few banks or ATM machines available in Cox's Bazaar. Most major credit and debit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and larger shops. Foreign currency can be exchanged easily in banks and exchange houses.
The current operational circumstances require frequently long working hours; emergency operational environment with staff working from tented facilities; highly stressful work context, therefore capacity for self-care is critical.
SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
The security level system in Bangladesh is level 3 moderate. Although security is generally acceptable, given the current situation in the area, no movement on highways at night is allowed. Walking and jogging on the streets as earmarked is permitted. Staff members may avail rickshaws and taxis within Cox's Bazaar city only. Crowded local markets should be avoided.
Closing Date
Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the Add.1 to the September 2017 Compendium is Tuesday 9 January 2018 (midnight Geneva time).