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National Security Officer (National Only)

Port Moresby

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Port Moresby
  • Grade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Security and Safety
  • Closing Date: 2024-11-27

Background

 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

 
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background and Organizational Context

UNDP Papua New Guinea concentrates its efforts on building the country’s capacity to promote inclusive, pro-poor growth, effective governance and sustainable and resilient development.  Leveraging its technical, coordination and administrative strengths, UNDP Country Office continues to provide integrated policy advice, evidence-based solutions, quality assurance and management services supporting the national and sub-national implementation of a growing portfolio of activities. 

Country Office success in its delivery of UNDP programmes is enabled when an adequate security framework is in place. The Host Government has primary responsibility for the security and protection of personnel employed by United Nations Security Management System organizations, their eligible family members, and property. The Country Office security team, in collaboration with UNDP Security Office and regional security staff, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UNDP programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments. Specifically, the security team ensures the integration and mainstreaming of security risk management into Country Office operations, including incorporation of security considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all country office projects and programmes.

Position Purpose

Under the strategic guidance and supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), the National Security Officer (NSO) provides support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout the country within the framework of all UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in all covered locations. The NSO provides advice on mainstreaming of security and security costs into the programming process at the Country Office level as well as for individual projects; and maintains a security network of local and national security personnel.

The NSO has a technical reporting line to the UNDP Sub-regional Security Specialist. 

The NSO works in close coordination with UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS), security partners in other UN agencies, national and local security counterparts, counterparts in Diplomatic missions, NGOs, municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders to exchange information and implement security programs.”

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

 
Duties and Responsibilities

Provide support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout the country within the framework of all UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in all covered locations.
  • In consultation with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in the Country Office (or Field Security Specialists, if applicable), support and conduct security risk management for the UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes. Advise on the mainstreaming of security and security costs into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects, programmes and costs; and provide proactive support and solutions where required. 
  • Actively contribute to the UN SMS-wide security risk management process in designated/security area. Review and analyze potential security factors and trends to identify possible impacts on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery as well as the possible impact of programme design on stability and security. Identify and address security support needs.
  • Conduct security risk assessment of key components of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented; and identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures within assigned areas. 
  • Contribute to implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches in alignment with security assessments, measures and procedures that are guided by an evaluation of specific threats or vulnerabilities.   
  • Contribute and provide substantive inputs to UNDSS in preparing the security risk management process and other country security documents of country/areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present. 
  • Participate as a member of the security cell established by DSS in country
Work in collaboration with the UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS) and the country office security team to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework.

  • Provide inputs and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating country specific security and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM) as well as providing security related contributions to updating emergency business continuity plans for the country office in concert with the UN Country Team business continuity plan and with guidance from the Regional Security Advisor/Sub-Regional Security Specialist. 
  • Ensure that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective country offices being prepared by the UNDSS, which will include working in collaboration with HR and other relevant units to maintain and incorporate in those Security Plans an updated list of all UNDP personnel.
  • Formulate and test UNDP specific security and contingency plans in the country office and the Country Office Business Continuity Plans.
  • Provide security orientation and training to UNDP personnel on security guidelines and procedures and security awareness (communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and existing restrictions in movement, such as curfews, restricted and dangerous areas). 
  • Coordinate with UNDSS in implementation of fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members.
  • Monitor security compliance of UNDP personnel, operations and equipment. Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment.

Monitor that UNDP premises and international staff residences are security compliant.

  • Support the implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises. and when requested, participate in ensuring security management oversight of common premises.
  • Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advise on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended mitigation measures. 
  • Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies in the country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations.

Provide timely and accurate security advice and briefings to UNDP Management and Personnel; and maintain contact with security partners internally and externally to ensure a constant flow of information on important security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the Country Office and its personnel.

  • Produce security reports as required by the Country Office and the Security Office in a timely and efficient manner.
  • For all security related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents, contribute to coordination with the Department of Safety and Security (DSS) on 24-hour response, and immediately report such incidents to the UNDP Security Office (or Field Security Specialist if present in the duty station) and UNDSS in the country.
  • Implement internal communication systems, including integration of UNDP communications into the appropriate UN Security Emergency Communications System. 
  • Liaise and coordinate with partner organizations and counterparts to ensure the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority in planning and carrying out missions.
  • Participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.  Maintain a security network and participate as member of the security cell in the country and participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts. 
  • Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:  None

Competencies

Core 

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
  • Learn Continuously LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
  • Adapt with Agility LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
  • Act with Determination LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
  • Engage and Partner : LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 
 Business Management

  • Portfolio Management: Ability to select, priorities and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.

Business Direction & Strategy

  • System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Security Services 

  • Security advice, planning and coordination: Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities.
  • Security information management:  Analytical capabilities to process diverse security information and develop recommendations.
  • Safety and Security risk management: Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test safety and security plans.
  • Physical/premises security design, implementation and management: Ability to conduct accurate premises assessments on UN facilities to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place. Ability to design, support the implementation and test physical security systems for UNDP premises.
  • Security crisis management & response: Knowledge of crisis management and response arrangements as well as the ability to prepare for, respond to, support/manage security crisis events
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Social Sciences, Management, or a related Security field is required, or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying work experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree, or
  • A formal multi-year education in security management, such as military or police Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full-time) with senior level command experience. 
  • Formal training in security risk management is an asset.
Experience:
  • Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree or formal multi-year security management education) of relevant security. 
  • Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP.
  • Previous experience working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset. 
  • Previous experience working for a United Nations organization with knowledge of the UN Security Management System as well as UNDP business, operations and programming cycle and Country Office structure/roles and responsibilities is an asset.

Language requirements (Required / Desired)

  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Fluency in Tok Pisin is required.
Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

 
Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

 
Non-discrimination

 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

 
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