Field Security Officer , Gaza

Employer: UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY FOR PALESTINE REFUGEES IN THE NEAR EAST UNRWA
Apply by 21 August 2013

Job Description
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registeredPalestinerefugees. Its mission is to helpPalestinerefugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in theMiddle Eastwith more than 30,000 staff. For its international team, UNRWA is seeking to employ a qualified:

Field Security Officer

NB: This recruitment process will also serve to generate a roster of suitable candidates for similar vacancies in different Fields within UNRWA’s area of operations.


Vacancy Announcement Number

13-FO-GA-29


Grade : P-3

Deadline for Applications : 21 August 2013

Duty Station : Gaza

In accordance with the established Agency and applicable United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) policies and procedures and under the overall supervision and guidance of the Director of UNRWA Operations/Gaza, and technical guidance from the Agency Head of Safety and Security Office (HSSO), HQ (Amman), the incumbent will advise on all safety and security related issues and ensure that senior management is kept informed of security developments and is in a position to take appropriate action when required. In accordance with the established Agency policy and procedures, the incumbent will:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
The Field Security Officer (FSO) is responsible for advising on and operationalizing all aspects of UNRWA security and risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness in the Field. The FSO serves as a principle Advisor and assists the Field Director in the execution of his/her security responsibilities in the Field. The FSO ensures UNRWA’s participation in the UN Security Management System and supports UNRWA’s compliance with Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS) requirements. The FSO also maintains close co-operation with UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), Agency Funds and Programmes Security Officer(s). In this context the Field Security Officer performs the following:

Security Risk Assessment:

- In line with UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) methodology, develop, as required, security risk assessments outlining potential risks and recommend mitigation strategies of UNRWA’s Field operations;

- Prepare comprehensive threat and risk assessment to include all locations where UNRWA Area staff, dependents, and equipment are available;

- Perform security assessments, both routine and exceptional, as required, to ensure optimal safety standards are in place;

- Assist/provide inputs in coordination with HSSO, HQ (Amman) in the implementation, further development and monitoring and evaluation
(M&E) of the security and risk management system for Area staff;

- Report on UNRWA security incidents as required and ensures that the Agency Security Incident Management System (SIMS) is fully implemented, kept up-to-date and reports filed properly;

- Participate in and provide safety and security inputs to operational and planning documents such as the Field Implementation Plan as required.
Security Plan and Minimum OperatingSecurityStandards (MOSS):

- Review security arrangements for all offices and maintains instructions such as security, contingency, emergency and evacuation plans as required;

- Prepare, maintain and update the Field specific security and contingency plans in accordance with the United Nations FieldSecurityHandbook/Security Policy Manual that governs International staff and UNRWA risk management system for Area staff; coordinate and organize emergency medical evacuation and convoy security procedures;

- Ensure that all new International and Area staff personnel receive briefings upon arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security;

- Support the International staff warden/ information systems as required;

- Ensure that UNRWA Field Office procedures conform to the UNSMS and UNRWA policy and standards, and that UNRWA personnel are included in theSecurityPlan comprising International staff with dependents and the Area staff;

- Ensure that appropriate staff tracking procedures are in place for all UNRWA staff travel; ensure compliance of International staff with Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) including the security clearance process;

- Ensure staff adherence and compliance to various (UNDSS and UNRWA specific) security plans and advisories, such as warden systems, Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) and Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS);

- Assist the Field Director in assessing and implementing MOSS with a view towards MOSS compliance for International staff and develop polices and standards for Area staff risk management, where applicable.
Office Security:

- Develop and implement office security requirements in UNRWA installations; oversee access control mechanism (visitors/vehicle screening) in UNRWA premises;

- Conduct office security surveys and recommend physical security measures to the Field Director;

- Ensure due fire safety arrangements (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, etc.) in UNRWA premises; prepare fire/building evacuation plans and conduct periodical drills.
Emergency Communications System (ECS):

- Ensure that all security and communications equipment are functioning and in good condition including radio communications;

- Ensure that radio communication training is provided to staff that are required to use various communications means.
Reporting and liaison:

- Update the Field Director, HSSO at HQ(A) and UNDSS country offices on relevant security developments; participate as a member of the country/area security cell; attend the Area Security Management Team (ASMT) meetings in support of the Field Director and or Field Security Focal Point (FSFP) as required;

- Establish and maintain contacts with national security agencies and authorities, and security officials of diplomatic missions and international organizations to obtain/share the best information pertaining to protection for UNRWA staff and operations;

- Establish and maintain communication links with Designated Official, Security Management Team, Area Security Coordinators and other Field security personnel.
Implement Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS), conduct residential security surveys of UNRWA international staff and recommends physical security measures to staff members; prepare justification for residential security measures as required;
Report all security related incidents involving UNRWA staff and eligible dependants to the Field Director and make sure that these are entered into the Security Information Management System; investigate and follow up these incidents as needed;
Provide security training to UNRWA staff; organize and maintain country files on security issues (assessments, security plans, messages, maps, etc).



Professional Knowledge and Experience
A university degree from an accredited educational institution preferably in political/social science, international relations, law enforcement and/or business management with a focus on security management;
A minimum of six years of progressively responsible experience in security management with the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) or with International Organization (IO) Security Management or International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) Security Management and/or experience in police or military, including two years of experience working at the international level outside one’s home country;
Progressively responsible practical experience at the Field/country level in moderate to high risk security environments within UNSMS, IO security management, INGO Security Management;
Excellent command in written and spoken English.



Competencies
Demonstrated competence in management, problem solving skills and excellent interpersonal and supervisory skills;
Knowledge of security planning and management as related to installations, combined with good technical skills in safety matters and communication equipment;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in a team environment and with people of diverse backgrounds, culture and nationalities;
A high level of written and verbal communication skills and practical report and proposal writing experience;
Basic paramedic knowledge/skills;
Judgment and decision-making skills;
Promotes learning environment in the office/field; provides constructive coaching and feedback to others;
Creates an empowering and motivating environment;
Good command of MS Office applications.

Equivalency
When the minimum requirements are not fully met, the Director of Human Resources may exceptionally substitute part of the unmet requirements with a combination of relevant academic qualification, additional professional training and progressive relevant work experience. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination.

Desirable Qualifications
Advanced university degree in a relevant discipline such as political science, international relations, conflict studies, international law with a focus on security and risk management;
Additional technical certification in relation to security and risk management such as security management, close protection, counter-terrorism, intelligence management, hostage management, operational planning and investigation, crisis management and emergency or disaster planning;
SeniorStaffCollege(military or police) training;
Additional management, programme and project management qualifications;
Knowledge of UN field security operations/ UN Field Security Officer/Adviser experience;
Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations relating to security;
Knowledge of Arabic Language.

Additional Information

The incumbent may be required to travel to other locations within UNRWA’s area of operations.



Conditions of Service

UNRWA offers an attractive compensation package including annual salary starting at $60,091 net tax free with dependants or $56,091 single, plus post adjustment of 58.4% (subject to change without notice). Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include education grant, dependency allowance, home leave, pension fund, health insurance and 6 weeks of annual leave. Staff members based in Gaza are entitled to additional benefits, subject to eligibility, including Extended Monthly Security Evacuation Allowance, and R&R leave, currently every 8 weeks (according to the UN classification of the duty station) but subject to change without notice. WhileGaza is a non-family duty station, eligible staff members may set up a second household in a nearby location to have their family nearby. Initial contract is for two year, with the possibility of further extensions subject to the availability of funds and the continuing need for the post.



How to Apply

To start the application process, applicants are required to register at http://jobs.unrwa.org by creating a personal profile and completing UNRWA Personal History Form. Please note that UNRWA only accepts degrees from accredited educational institutions. Only applications received through http://jobs.unrwa.orgwill be considered. Due to the large number of applications received for UNRWA vacancies, only applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted.



UNRWA does not charge a fee at any stage in the recruitment process.



General Information

UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced women.



UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities.



UNRWA is a United Nations organization whose staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, neutrality and impartiality. This includes respect for human rights, for diversity, and for non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. UNRWA staff are expected to uphold these values at all times, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.
Organization Description


UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by
the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and
protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in
Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full
potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight.
UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services,
camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions

Apply via Organization