Senior Security Assistant

The Senior Security Assistant provides specialized technical, operational, and administrative support for security and safety operations, ensuring compliance with UNOPS security policies and the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS). The role supports coordination of security activities, facilitates timely exchange of security information, assists in incident response, and contributes to maintaining a safe and secure environment for personnel, assets, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Gather, verify and update security information and data to support analysis of security situations, including preparedness levels, risk assessments, and development of security plans and self-assessment programmes for mandatory mitigation measures.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date personnel lists and information related to UNOPS offices, residences, project sites, security focal points, and the warden system to support implementation of the office security plan.
• Disseminate relevant information and updates on the security situation within the country or designated areas of responsibility.
• Compile and tabulate data and survey results to support monitoring and reporting of compliance with required security mitigation measures at the duty station.
• Document and assist in reporting of security incidents affecting personnel, offices and assets.
• Represent UNOPS at Security Cell meetings to record discussions and share routine information with relevant stakeholders when authorized.
• Follow up on routine security-related actions on behalf of the supervisor and provide updates on progress and outcomes.
• Provide administrative support for organization of security awareness and preparedness training, and assist as a resource person when required.
• Conduct basic security briefings for newly arrived personnel, as assigned.
• Offer guidance and information to personnel on routine security procedures, communication protocols, and designated focal points.
• Administer security clearance processes, including requests for access to UNOPS compounds and facilities.
• Coordinate closely with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) office to provide information and support related to UNOPS security matters in absence of supervisors.
• Provide general administrative and logistical support for the work area, ensuring effective information flow and timely follow-up on correspondence, initiatives, and queries with internal and external stakeholders.
• Organize meetings and briefings; arrange appointments; receive visitors; handle and screen telephone calls; respond to routine queries with discretion; and take minutes or notes at meetings as directed by supervisors.
• Prepare a variety of documents, reports, tables, databases, and charts, applying appropriate technical and formatting skills.
• Facilitate emergency communications by operating specialized data and communication equipment, including satellite phones, VHF, and HF radios.
• Maintain organized and secure files and records, including routine and confidential correspondence, ensuring safeguarding of sensitive information.
• Support organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on security topics.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from implementation of security projects/initiatives.
• Conduct research on security-related topics and contribute to drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

Requirements

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 5 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 1 year of relevant experience is required.
• Relevant experience is work in security operations, including incident reporting, security administration support, security communications, warden system, etc., or related areas.
• 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.
• Fluent English language proficiency is required.

Skills

• Security Operations
• Incident Reporting
• Security Administration
• Security Communication Systems
• Warden Systems
• Collaboration Tools
• Productivity Tools
• Microsoft Office Suite
• G-Suite
• Web-based Management Systems
• Security Policy Compliance
• UN Security Management System
• Security Coordination
• Incident Response
• Multicultural Environment Experience
• Humanitarian Experience

Languages

English