Senior Security Officer

The Senior Security Officer manages, coordinates, and provides expert advice on all security and safety matters affecting UNOPS personnel, assets, projects, and operations within the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) area of responsibility. The incumbent ensures protection through risk management, security planning, and coordination with UNDSS and other partners, operating with substantial independence across a geographically dispersed portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Provide security advice and support to management and personnel operating within their Area of Responsibility (AoR) and maintain awareness of security developments affecting operational activities.
• Conduct and regularly update Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) for UNOPS offices, project sites, and travel routes within their AoR, identifying threats and vulnerabilities and recommending appropriate mitigation measures.
• Develop and maintain local security management arrangements within their AoR consistent with UNSMS standards and adapted to the local operating context.
• Provide technical security advice and guidance on program design, project implementation, and operational decision-making within their AoR.
• Support the inclusion of safety and security components in project proposals and budgets within their AoR to ensure sufficient resourcing for risk mitigation measures.
• Review and update Security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with Security Risk Management (SRM) requirements, Residential Security Measures (RSMs), and other mandatory frameworks within their AoR.
• Maintain effective coordination with UNDSS offices, host-government authorities, United Nations agencies, and other relevant stakeholders throughout their AoR, ensuring timely information exchange and coherent implementation of security measures.
• Support the coordination of personnel travel security clearances within their AoR, ensuring compliance with UNDSS procedures and timely submissions through the TRIP platform or other authorized systems.
• Advise on safe access strategies for field missions in high-risk areas, including risk mitigation planning, convoy coordination, and communication protocols within their AoR.
• Ensure that UNOPS compounds, offices, and residences within their AoR meet required safety standards and are equipped with adequate physical and procedural safeguards.
• Develop, implement, and oversee an annual security work plan and budget, including priorities such as fire safety, emergency preparedness, and mandatory mitigation measures.
• Manage and account for security equipment, including communication and monitoring systems, ensuring functionality and compliance with operational needs.
• Represent UNOPS in Security Cell meetings and other security coordination mechanisms and provide management with timely updates and recommendations on security developments affecting operations within the area of responsibility.
• Provide technical guidance to project managers on security risk considerations related to implementing partners (IPs), in line with donor/ partner and UNSMS requirements.
• Advise on integrating risk management provisions into IP documentation, terms of reference (ToRs), and operational plans.
• Review IP security reports or deliverables, identify potential risks, and propose mitigation measures as needed.
• Serve as a key focal point for significant incidents affecting UNOPS personnel, assets, and operations across the ESAMCO portfolio and support management during crises, evacuations, relocations, and other emergencies in coordination with UNDSS and relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of Security Incident Reports (SIRs) and maintain an accurate incident log for monitoring and trend analysis.
• Support investigations and inquiries into security incidents or accidents as required, ensuring that lessons learned are incorporated into operational planning.
• Maintain effective emergency communication systems and ensure that all personnel are familiar with incident reporting and escalation procedures.
• Support coordination and leadership during evacuations, relocations, or other crisis responses, ensuring alignment with UNDSS protocols and UNOPS contingency plans.
• Promote a culture of security awareness and accountability throughout the ESAMCO portfolio and support the development of local capacities through mentoring, training, and dissemination of best practices.
• Deliver security briefings and inductions to newly deployed personnel, consultants, and visitors.
• Conduct refresher sessions on personal security, travel safety, fire prevention, and emergency procedures.
• Lead the training, mentoring, and capacity development of security personnel to enhance local capability.
• Coordinate with UNDSS to organize joint security awareness and preparedness training, including simulations and drills.
• Periodically review the implementation of security measures across offices and project locations and advise management on gaps, priorities, and corrective actions required to ensure continued compliance with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements.
• Maintain up-to-date security documentation, including personnel and dependent contact lists, warden systems, and emergency notification procedures.
• Monitor adherence to mandatory security mitigation measures to ensure that UNOPS premises and personnel remain compliant with UNSMS requirements.
• Support country leadership and the Field Security Advisor in ensuring operational and documentation compliance with UNSMS and UNOPS security policies.
• Review, update, and test the business continuity plan (BCP) to ensure readiness for emergencies and operational disruptions.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date, multi-sourced country files on security assessments, plans, and advisories for decision-making and audit purposes.
• Support the organization, facilitation, and delivery of training and learning sessions within the AoR on security topics.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from the implementation of security projects/ initiatives.
• Research security-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries, and briefing notes.

Requirements

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience is required.
• or A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 4 years of relevant experience.
• UN security certification, e.g., UNDSS: Field Security Associate (FSA), Security Certification Program (SCP), Security Analysis Process and Practices (SAPP), SSAFE TDC, Hostage Incident Management (HIM); or other professional security risk management certification, such as ASIS CPP, PSP, CSMP, ISO 31000 risk management, crisis management, business continuity, or equivalent certification.
• Relevant experience in law enforcement, military, security management, crisis management, or related areas;
• Relevant experience in coordination with UNDSS and UN field security structures;
• Relevant experience with collaboration and productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, G Suite) and web-based management systems.
• Experience of working in multicultural environments, the UN system, or INGOs in a developing country; and Experience in development or humanitarian contexts.
• Fluent proficiency in English is required.

Skills

• UN Security Certification
• Security Risk Management
• Crisis Management
• Business Continuity
• Law Enforcement Experience
• Military Experience
• Security Management
• Coordination with UNDSS
• Security Planning
• Risk Management
• Hostage Incident Management
• Security Analysis
• Collaboration Tools
• Productivity Tools
• Microsoft Office Suite
• G Suite
• Web-based Management Systems
• Multicultural Environment Experience
• Humanitarian Experience

Languages

English