Jun 4, 2024

Re-Advertisement: Security Adviser - Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),

Hiring Organization: UNICEF
Job Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)


Re-Advertisement: Security Adviser, P-5, Fixed Term, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), #80131

Job no: 570219
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment
Level: P-5
Location: Democratic Republic of Congo
Categories: Emergency, Security


UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a future of hope and prosperity

DRC is a complex, high threat environment and addresses high level security issues across the country. Security Adviser will help to address the complexity of cases faced.

How can you make a difference?


The Security Adviser reports to the Representative and maintains a direct technical reporting line with the Regional Security Adviser (RSA) (Matrix Management). The Security Adviser is responsible for advising the Representative and Country Office management on their security duties and responsibilities in accordance with the UN and the UNICEF Security Framework of Accountability. The Security Adviser contributes to the UNICEF mandate and security strategy through the effective implementation of a strong security risk management process. The Security Adviser manages, on behalf of the Representative, all security activities in support of the country programmes, staff and facilities.

The Security Adviser provides strategic management and oversight of all security activities at the duty station in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) including the UN Department of Safety and Security and UN Agencies, Funds, Programmes and Organizations (AFPO) as well as INGO partners in line with the Saving Lives Together policy. As a member of the UN Security Cell, the incumbent contributes to the development of assessments, procedures and guidelines including Security Risk Management (SRMs), Country Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and the relevant Security Plan(s).

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Managerial and technical leadershipEstablish the annual work plan, determining priorities and performance measurements.
Monitor workplan implementation, to ensure that Security output results are achieved to schedule and performance standards.
Report critical issues to the Representative, Deputy Representatives and Chief Field Operations for timely action.
Establish the annual workplan outputs, activities and developmental priorities of the Security section staff. Provide timely guidance to enable the Security section staff to perform their duties responsibly and efficiently.
Manage Security team building and motivation. Signal potential conflicts and take preventive action, in coordination with Human Resources staff.

2. Security Risk Management and PlanningAdvises the Representative in the execution of her/his duties with regards to the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.
Advises the Representative on whether UNDSS advice is in accordance with the latest UN Security Management System.
Assist CO Representative and Heads of Offices, as appropriate, to review Security Risk Management processes (SRMs) and undertake specific or ad-hoc Security Risk Management processes as required (providing support to Field Security Officers in the formulation and negotiation with UNDSS of Ad Hoc SRMs when required); work closely with UNDSS P/CSAs and other agency security professionals to ensure security documents are gender and disability inclusive.
Assists the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participates as a member of the Security Cell established by UNDSS. Attends as an observer, all SMT/ASMT meetings.
Through the Security Cell, provides advice and recommendations on all Security Documentation, including SRMs and Security Plans, and manages the implementation of SRM-Measures, Residential Security Measures (RSM), provisions of the relevant Security Plans and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments within UNICEF.
Conducts field security assessments when UNDSS does not have the capacity to do so in a timely fashion.
Prepares, maintains, and updates UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provides the Representative, the RSA and the Office of the Security Coordination (OSC) with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines. This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).
Assists the Representative and Chief of Operations on determining the financial and human resources required for ensuring the security of personnel, premises, and programme activities.

3. Security ServicesMonitors the security situation and provides independent and comprehensive analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and programmes to inform decision making.
Supervises, evaluates, and reviews security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participates, coordinates and/or undertakes security risk management processes for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
Ensures that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the area Security Plans as it relates to UNICEF.
Oversees the establishment of an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System.
Coordinates with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises.
Develop and conduct security training for UNICEF personnel as required.
Ensures security surveys of international personnel residences are completed in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).
Provide technical oversight for UNICEF contracted security providers such as guards service.
Supervise and mentor UNICEF Security professionals in the country.
Oversee the recruitment of additional UNICEF Security personnel, as required.

4. Programmatic Security Information and AnalysisProvides analysis to understand security dynamics. Ensure the analysis addresses environmental, socio-economic and political factors that make geographical areas difficult to access and have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes.
Works closely with the UNICEF personnel in country to ensure security considerations are mainstreamed into programmes, and integrate all relevant analysis and security measures into the planning and implementation of UNICEF activities.
Support UNICEF management in the development and implementation of access strategies, preparedness plans, and programme contingency plans as required.
Consult with Emergency and Programme colleagues to be conversant with how all UNICEF programmatic activities are classified according to UN Programme Criticality.

5. Security Networking and Partnership BuildingEstablishes contact and maintains networks with UNSMS, I/NGO, diplomatic, and international community security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
Collaborate and coordinate with UNDSS and the Security Cell to enable UNICEF to stay and deliver its programme activities.
Ensures that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and consistent with the SLT framework.

6. Security Compliance MonitoringMonitor that the Country Offices complies with and periodically exercise security procedures/protocols and guidelines including: Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and UNICEF’s Global Security Compliance platform.
Review proposals for country and area Security Risk Management measures (SRM-M), Residential Security Measures (RSMs), Local cost shared security budget (LCCSB), and other relevant security documents and provide advice when warranted.

7. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity BuildingIntroduces technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
Institutionalizes and shares best practices and knowledge learned.
Organizes, plans and/or implements capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
Provide briefings and presentations to UNICEF senior managers with security responsibilities on current and new UN security policies, guidelines and tools.
Ensure training provided is gender and disability inclusive.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…


An Advanced University Degree (Master’s and above) is required.


A minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience in security risk management and/or security analysis is required.


Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is required.


Experience operating in a humanitarian setting is required.


Experience operating in a conflict/post conflict context would be considered an asset.
Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others. (8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

*The purpose of this re-advertisement is to expand the pool of applicants. Applicants who have already applied, do not need to reapply, as their previous applications will continue to be considered as a part of the recruitment process.*

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Deadline: 18 Jun 2024 W. Central Africa Standard Time

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