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, UNICEF :
equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life – in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions – her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens – addressing inequity – not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.
How can you make a difference?
Under the supervision of the Chief of Field Office for operational questions and to the Security Specialist based in Ouagadougou on security technical guidance, the security officer provides professional technical, operational and administrative assistance to the supervisor to manage a range of activities on security planning, management and risk assessments to ensure the safety and security of personnel and their eligible family members and safeguarding of UNICEF premises, assets and resources at the duty station.
- Security Risk Management and Planning ;
- Safety and Security Services ;
- Security Networking and Partnership Building ;
- Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building.
1. Security Risk Management and Planning :
- Provide supervisor with input related to the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets, and resources in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems. Participate as a member of the security coordination cell established by United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) ;
- Assist in the implementation of all technical security requirements contained in the UN Security Plans, Security Risk Management (SRM), Residential Security Measures (RSM), and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments. Provide technical support for contracted security providers ;
- Provide technical input to UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and assist in drafting mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines including Security Incident Reports (SIRs).
2. Safety and Security Services :
- Monitor the security situation and provide information, through the supervisor, on emerging security threats to UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises assets and resources. Assist in security activities that support UNICEF operations and participate, as requested, in security risk management for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
- Ensure that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their safety and security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the UNICEF/UN Security Plans. Support the establishment of an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System.Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises. Assist in the implementation of security surveys of international personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).
3. Security Networking and Partnership Building : In close coordination with UNDSS, actively participate and maintain official liaison with host government agencies, local authorities responsible for security, law and order, and counterparts in the UN.
4. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building :
- Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders ;
- Implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- A first level University degree (Bachelor) in one of the following fields is required : Security Risk Management, International Relations, Conflict Analysis, Intelligence Analysis, Diplomatic Studies, Conflict and Security, Counter Terrorism or another relevant technical field ;
- A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in global security risk management and/or security analysis is required ;
- Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable ;
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset ;
- Fluency in French is required. Knowledge of English or/another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The functional competencies required for this post are…
- Applying technical expertise (II) ;
- Learning and researching (II) ;
- Planning and organizing (II) ;
- Coping with pressure and setbacks (II) ;
- Relating and Networking (II) ;
- Analyzing (I).
View our competency framework at : Competencies.pdf
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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 :
- Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service ;
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.