Overview
The Security Officer provides technical, operational, and advisory support to ensure the safety and security of UNOPS personnel, assets, and operations within the East and Southern Africa Multi Country Office (ESAMCO) portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
- Reinforce security risk management as a core component of all UNOPS operations and projects.
- Monitor security developments, maintain situational awareness, and provide timely security updates and advisories.
- Conduct Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and prepare corresponding mitigation plans.
- Advise project teams on local threats, vulnerabilities, and appropriate protective measures.
- Ensure security considerations are integrated into project planning, budgeting, and implementation phases.
- Review project proposals from a security perspective and conduct field assessments.
- Provide security guidance to project managers on risk considerations relating to implementing partners.
- Support the development, implementation, and review of office and project-specific Security Plans, Residential Security Measures (RSMs), and contingency arrangements.
- Support the development, review, and updating of local security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other security instructions.
- Contribute to the business continuity plan (BCP) from a security and safety perspective and assist in conducting BCP drills.
- Coordinate with UNDSS and other UN agencies for effective information-sharing, compliance, and crisis response.
- Liaise with local law enforcement, military, and government security entities.
- Attend Security Cell and Security Management Team (SMT) meetings and provide recommendations.
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee security operations for official missions, site visits, and high-level events.
- Manage security clearances, road missions, and ensure vehicles and equipment are maintained.
- Ensure compliance with Residential Security Measures (RSMs) and mandatory mitigation measures.
- Oversee the incident reporting mechanism, ensuring timely documentation, analysis, and follow-up on security incidents.
- Support the coordination of security arrangements during emergencies, relocations, evacuations, and crisis-response situations.
- Support security-related reviews, inquiries, and fact-finding following incidents.
- Maintain and update personnel and eligible dependents' contact information, warden systems, and emergency communication protocols.
- Coordinate and deliver security briefings and induction sessions for new personnel, contractors, and visitors.
- Provide tailored guidance to personnel on travel safety, communication procedures, and local security dynamics.
- Ensure personnel receive mandatory security training and are informed of any changes in security procedures.
- Develop and conduct security awareness and emergency preparedness training for personnel.
- Facilitate emergency communications by operating or coordinating specialized data-communication systems.
- Coordinate and, where feasible, conduct fire safety drills, evacuation exercises, and emergency response simulations.
- Contribute to the preparation and implementation of the annual security work plan.
- Assist in budget preparation for security operations, monitoring expenditures, and resource utilization.
- Implement UNOPS and UNSMS security policies, procedures, and protocols.
- Support the monitoring and evaluation of security mitigation measures.
- Prepare security reports, assessments, and analytical summaries.
- Maintain up-to-date security documentation.
- Maintain confidential correspondence and sensitive records.
- Manage the inventory and accountability of security and communication equipment.
- Supervise or provide guidance to assigned security personnel and guards.
- Facilitate effective work planning, performance monitoring, and coaching.
- Encourage professional growth through on-the-job mentoring and participation in capacity-building activities.
- Promote teamwork and collaboration across project and field security personnel.
- Conduct research on security-related topics and contribute to reports, summaries, and briefing notes.
- Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs).
- Support the organization, facilitation, and delivery of training and learning sessions on security topics.
Required Experience
- 2 years of relevant experience in security management, law enforcement, military, or related areas with a Bachelor’s degree.
- 0 years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree.
- Experience in security risk assessment, crisis management, and coordination with UNDSS or UN field security structures is required.
- Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.
- Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
- Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline.
- Professional security certification (e.g. UNDSS SSAFE, HEAT, CPP, or equivalent) is desired.
