Field Security Associate at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Field Security Associate

Job Identification: 16765
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job Schedule: Full time
Grade: G6
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term
Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

• The insurgency driven conflict in the Lake Chad Basin, including Northeast of Nigeria has been longstanding and has caused undesirable consequences in terms of loss of lives, created multi-tiered intergenerational grievances, destroyed socio-cultural and socio-economic systems, and remains a threat to immediate, medium and long-term transformation of the affected territories in Nigeria, including Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.
• Borno has seen a significantly higher impact and the insurgency there has gone through a variety of phases and is marked by cycles that are connected with several factors.
• By September 2021, the insurgency in Northeast of Nigeria had taken an unprecedented turn leading to large number of individuals exiting the conflict and presenting themselves to security authorities, largely in Borno State, but also in neighboring countries.
• Moreover, sustaining this momentum of exits presents challenges to effective process of handling and treatment of the individuals led by government authorities and ensuring their reintegration of ex-associates and former fighters into communities amidst an ongoing conflict, an internal displacement situation and significant intergenerational grievances stemming from the longstanding conflict.
• As a response to the mass exits, in November 2021, the State Government of Borno, passed a “Policy on Community-Based Reconciliation and Reintegration” premised on the Vision for long term transformation of the State to contribute to peace and stability.
• This is a multi-pronged process, featuring State and Federal Government cooperation’s (Including with Military and Security Institutions) in receiving, processing, managing the caseload of those in the hands of authorities.
• UNDP is supporting the Federal and State Government to make operational these approaches through various channels aligned with implementation of the Regional Stabilization Facility – Nigeria window, which is operating in some of the locations that have been identified for reintegration.
• Additionally, it is also aligned and guides the implementation of the UN Peace Building Project (UN PBF), EU Funded SD3R and recently approved Joint UN Offer Programme. Thus, at the same time supporting alignment with the national/international principles and UNDP policy orientations for effective implementation of community-based reconciliation and reintegration.
• To this background, Country Office success in its delivery of UNDP programmes is dependent on ensuring an adequate security framework is in place. The Host Government has primary responsibility for the security and protection of personnel employed by United Nations Security Management System organizations, their eligible family members, and property.
• The Country Office security team, in collaboration with UNDP Security Office and regional security staff, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UNDP programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments.
• Specifically, the security team ensures the integration and mainstreaming of security risk management into Country Office operations, including incorporation of security considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all country office projects and programmes.
• Under the guidance and supervision of the Field Security Analyst (FSA), or more senior Country Office Security Associate, the incumbent Field Security Associate (FSA) assists in providing security management support to the protection of and minimization of risk to UNDP personnel, property and operations in Northeast Nigeria Sub Office while at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the country and/or established project areas. 
• The FSA interacts with UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS), security partners in other UN agencies, national and local security counterparts, counterparts in Diplomatic missions, NGOs, municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders to exchange information and implement security programs.
• UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Field Security Analyst or more Senior Security staff in the Region in providing security management support and provide guidance on relevant security policies and regulations to enable effective programme delivery throughout the Northeast Nigeria Sub Office while protecting and minimizing those risks to UNDP personnel and operations
• Contribute to and support security risk management for UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes in designated areas. 
• Assist in mainstreaming security and its costs into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery by monitoring assigned projects and programmes.  
• Assist in review of the impact of security factors on UNDP Programme design and delivery as well as the potential impact that programmes might have on stability and security. Make recommendations regarding possible security needs and improvements. 
• Assist in conducting UNDP security risk assessments and advise on security measures for UNDP offices and projects in Northeast Nigeria Sub Office to address security risks and support their implementation. 
• Support the implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches to address specific threats or vulnerabilities in alignment with security assessment results and procedures. 
• Support the Field Security Analyst or more Senior Security staff with inputs to UNDSS in preparing security documents covering areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present.
• Assist the Field Security Analyst or more Senior Security staff in Country or Region in supporting Northeast Nigeria Sub Office in implementation of the Security Plan, Contingency Plans, Business Continuity Management, and the UN Security Framework.
• Work with Northeast Nigeria Sub office security team and coordinate with UNDSS to ensure availability of updated and adequate procedures for dealing with emergencies involving UNDP staff and operations.
• In conjunction with the HR Unit, assist to maintain and regularly provide updated Staff Lists to UNDSS to ensure that all UNDP personnel are covered by relevant Security Plans.
• Helps in the preparation, review and test UNDP specific security and contingency plans in the Northeast Nigeria Sub office, as needed, and the Country Office Business Continuity Plans.
• Support the Field Security Analyst in implementation of fire safety, first aid, and radio communications training for the appropriate staff members. 
• Provide support in organizing and delivery of training, briefings and courses on security issues/awareness and preparedness; and provide security orientation to newly assigned staff members. 
• Represent UNDP security interests, when delegated, in any common premises that UNDP occupies in country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations.
• Assist the Field Security Analyst or more Senior Security staff to provide timely and accurate information and briefings to UNDP staff on security procedures, processes and requirements; and maintain contact with security counterparts internally and externally to facilitate the flow of information on important security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the Sub Office and its personnel:
• Support in the preparation of security reports as required by the Sub Office.  
• For all security and safety related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents, be prepared for 24-hour response in coordination with the Field Security Analyst for immediate report of such incidents to UNDSS as well as to the most senior security staff in the duty station or the UNDP Security Office.
• Coordinate with partner organizations and counterparts to ensure the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority in planning and carrying out missions.
• Represent UNDP at security meetings, as appropriate, and in absence of Field Security Analyst. 
• Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.
• Liaise with UNDP  
• Assist the Field Security Analyst or more Senior Security staff to monitor the security compliance of UNDP premises and international staff residences
• Help with input for the implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises. 
• Assist in periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and provide shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions.
• Performs other security-related tasks assigned by the Field Security Analyst or more Senior Security staff

Required Skills and Experience
Educational Qualification:

• Secondary Education is required. 
• University Degree (bachelor’s or master’s equivalent) in Political Science, Military Studies, Security Management, Management or a relevant field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.
• Applicable security, police and/or military training is desirable. 

Experience:

• Minimum of 6 years (with high school diploma) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible experience in security, preferably in the military or police context or related field of work. 
• Prior experience with the UN system or an international NGO is desirable. 
• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
• Experience in the use of radio communications systems and knowledge of Country security codes is desirable.
• Valid driver’s license is required. 

Competencies
Achieve Results:

• LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

• LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:

• LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:

• LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:

• LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:

• LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

• LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 

Language:

• Fluency in English language is required. Working knowledge of local language spoken within the duty station is an advantage

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline  20th March, 2024; 04:59