Field Security Advisor

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Head of Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Head of Cluster who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) was established in1997, by the General Assembly, and as per the UN Policy on Mine Action and Effective Coordination (A/53/496, 1998) is the established coordinator of mine action within the United Nations system. UNMAS supports the UN's vision of "a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies."

UNMAS is a unit within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).   UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub -office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of Explosive Hazard (EH) mitigation to18 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of Improvised Explosive Devices and (IED) Weapons and Ammunition Management (WAM).

The UNMAS Iraq programme was formally established in June 2015, at the request of the UN Under - Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq, to lead the UN efforts to mitigate explosive threats in the country, as well as to support the enhancement of national and regional mine action capacities.  UNMAS is supporting multiple layers of operations under the UNMAS Iraq Strategic Plan which focusses on three main components:

1. Explosive Hazard Management

2. Capacity Enhancement

3. Risk Education

Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, the Field Security Advisor’s duties and responsibilities will include:

• Advise the Director/supervisor and Program Managers on all safety and security related matters and the possible impact on staff safety, UNOPS equipment, project design, implementation and funding.
• Prepare comprehensive SOP’s for the country to include all locations where UNOPS staff and dependents are present.
• Work to ensure that safety and security is a core component of all programmes at the duty station and that appropriate funding is provided based on actual needs.
• Prepare an annual security work plan including budget for all aspects of security including full MOSS / MORSS compliance and training needs.
• Conduct periodic (or when the security situation dictates) office security surveys, with recommendations on necessary physical security upgrades communicated to the CD, Head of Programs and concerned Project Managers.
• Establish and maintain contact with UNDSS, other UN Agencies, NGO and national security agencies where and when appropriate.
• Develop as required security risk assessments outlining potential risks and recommended mitigation strategies regards project implementation taking into consideration relevant and existing assessments.
• Constant monitoring and analysis of the operating environment, timely readjustment and improvements of operations, including advice on legal considerations and risk assessment;
• Analyze and identify potential issues related to security operations. Proposal of strategies and options to be reviewed by management.
• Build and share knowledge with regards to the management of operations in the country office
• Ensure all UNOPS personnel receive briefings upon initial arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security.
• Establish and manage UNOPS warden systems for both International and National staff, prepare travel and other security advisories for all staff and advise and assist in the implementation of MOSS and MORSS compliancy.
• Ensure that fire safety arrangements (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors etc.) are present and functioning in all UNOPS premises.
• Oversee the preparation of fire/building evacuation plans, whilst ensuring that periodical practice drills are carried out.
• Monitor that Administrative Instructions are correctly followed in relation to the establishment of UNOPS office and residential premises, whilst ensuring that security surveys and all recommended physical security measures are implemented prior to occupancy.
• Ensure by monitoring the process, that timely submissions of staff security clearance requests are carried out.
• Ensure that security training with synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices is provided to Wardens and all staff in the mission area.
• Follow up on arrests and detentions of staff members and eligible dependents.
• Coordinate appropriate UNOPS 24-hour response to all security related incidents involving staff and eligible dependents.
• Ensure staff adherence and compliance to the various UNSMS advisories, in particular: compliance with directions related to warden systems; minimum operating security standards (MOSS); minimum operating residential security standards (MORSS), etc.
• Manage the work assignments and schedules of all staff assigned to the office of the FSA.
• Provide oversight and take responsibility for the delegated assignments of personnel and assets under supervision.
• Serve as the first reporting officer on performance evaluations of all staff assigned to the office of the FSA.
• Define, manage, and account for the use of security equipment including communications equipment.
• Immediate reporting of all security related incidents involving UN staff and eligible dependents to the Country Director, UNDSS and the UNOPS Chief of Security where appropriate.
• Support the identification and building of relationships with national institutions, respective regional/governmental authorities, donors, and international partners, including UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, NGOs and commercial companies engaged in addressing the issue of Mine Action and its impact on local communities.
• Coordinate, organize and accompany donor visits to UNMAS field operations, including visits to high-risk governorates.
• Conduct detailed pre-visit communication, planning/preparations, liaison with the relevant Peshmerga/ISF/Fedpol Commanders for access, the submission of required documents including Mission Security Clearance Requests, security movement letters to the Kurdistan Joint Coordination Centre and National Operations Centre, liaison with relevant UN agencies including UNDSS.
• Plan and conduct field visits in coordination and cooperation with the relevant contractors and Implementing partners.
• Network and strengthen relations with the relevant UN agencies, funds and Programmes in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
• Perform any other relevant duties as required and tasked by the supervisor.

• Advanced University degree (Master degree or equivalent) in social or political science, law, public administration, management, or security management with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; OR
• First-level University degree (Bachelor degree or equivalent) in social or political science, law, public administration, management, or security management with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; OR
• Secondary school (High School or equivalent) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience; OR
• Military (or relevant Police Experience) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience is required. 

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in security guard management, military operations, policing (law enforcement), humanitarian emergency management, security of information, or personnel security.
• Experience in international security management is required. 

• Fluency in English (speak, read, and write) is required.
• Fluency in Arabic (speaking, reading and writing) is desired. 

• This is a non-family duty station.
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Contract level: IICA-2 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.