Assistant Field Security Officer at UNHCR Uganda, Kampala

Job Description

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Assistant Field Security Officer supports and undertakes activities pertaining to workforce security and security for persons of concern. The incumbent supports and provides guidance in all security-related aspects of the operation.

The incumbent is supervised by a senior officer who defines the work objectives and provides general guidance. The incumbent may provide input to the supervision of general service staff in the office.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

Support the Representative or the Head of Office in managing the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, partners, operations, and premises.
Support in the development of security risk management processes in close cooperation with UNHCR managers, UNDSS and the security cell, identifying the appropriate security risk management measures and monitoring compliance of same.
Assist in the development of security plans for evacuation/relocation, medical evacuation, and other security contingencies.
In cooperation with UNHCR senior personnel, assist in ensuring that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
Respond to personnel queries on security issues and provide immediate assistance or security-related advice as required.
As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of forcibly displaced and stateless people.
Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including host government law enforcement authorities, the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and partner agencies.
Support UNHCR management as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT) or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), and Area Security Coordinators (ASC).
Provide country-relevant security advice and training to UNHCR personnel and, where appropriate, to personnel of NGOs and operational partners.
Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that personnel are familiar with security contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency, including for Wardens.
Prepare periodic reports and incident reports on security in accordance with UNSMS and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and, as appropriate, regional security coordinators and the Field Security Service.
Maintain linkages with the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
Contribute to a person-centered approach to all aspects of UNHCR security risk management, ensuring inclusion of the diverse personal profiles of personnel and the development of appropriate support and measures.
Undertake other security-related duties as determined by the supervisor.
Understand all required security learning and training and ensure that changes in security policies and processes are effectively communicated to personnel.
Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues, and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Security Management                     Risk Management;                           Political Science;

International Relations;                   or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program;                     First Aid Training;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified.

Desirable

Experience in having established working networks with law enforcement and other security actors.

Functional Skills

FS-Security Planning

FS-Security Analysis

CO-Drafting and Documentation

IT-Computer Literacy

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile
• Excellent familiarity with Kampala, entire country and good knowledge of the neigbouring countries.
• Proven experience and ability in liaising with diverse stakeholders in situations that require discretion and sensitivity.
• Experience in and ability to support advocacy exercises, including strong inter-personal skills.
• Demonstrated experience with provision of analysis and security recommendations for humanitarian actors.
• Familiarity with and experience in the UNSMS policies and procedures.
• Possession of relevant UNSMS certifications is an asset (SCP, ETB, SRM, HIM, ToT).

Other competencies:
• Excellent English language skills
• Strong Political and Organizational Awareness
• Excellent communication skills
• Analytical Thinking
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Supervisory skills

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,

,

Desired languages
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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:
To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:
The Assistant Field Security Officer (AFSO) – NOA post is situated at the Country Office in Kampala but carries responsibility for technical oversight and supervision for the entire country. The UNHCR operation in Uganda in one of the largest, complex and diversified UNHCR operations globally with 13 office locations, about 390, a significant number of spouses and children.  The operation also conducts different types of activities (i.e. emergency response, VOLREP, re-settlement, support to urban refugees as well as in settlement etc). In addition to strong leadership, support and management skills, the post requires significant planning, internal and external coordination, implementation and evaluation skills at a senior national level. Furthermore, being based at Country Office level, the post requires technical support and supervisory skills to the four field based Field Security Associates (FSA), direct work with colleagues at commensurate NO level, notably within Protection, Supply, Administration as well as with Executive management and HOSO deputizing the international Senior Field Security Officer (SFSO).

The AFSO is the most senior nationally recruited post in the Field Security Unit (FSU). AFSO reports to the SFSO and supports the operation by leading, coordinating, and supervising security-related activities and risk assessments within the country and across the operation. This requires the development of plans for security and medical evacuation and other contingencies, organization and facilitation of security training activities, drills etc. As part of the role’s core functions, contact with other UN agencies, NGOs, government partners and implementing partners to facilitate the operation should be maintained.

The duty of the AFSO is to ensure the country operations receive practical and well-reasoned security advice and support toward helping ensure an appropriate level of security; UNHCR benefits from effective relationships with host country law enforcement agencies and the UN Security Management System (UNSMS); staff are aware of threats/risks and how to respond to them, understand and comply with guidelines and procedures; security management is efficient, well-coordinated and consistent with policies and procedures. In addition, the AFSO will be the focal point for security training and emergency preparedness of locally recruited personnel. Finally, the AFSO will replace SFSO during his/her absences.

Living and Working Conditions:
Kampala is a Family Duty Station Capital city with a large offer of comfortable houses and flats, excellent bank services as well as a decent internet service and mobile coverage. Power supply might be irregular in some areas hence a generator or backup inverter might be necessary. Medical facilities including hospitals of good quality are available as well as a large choice of international school and nurseries. Food and house supplies are available in supermarkets and markets and on-line purchase and home deliveries are efficient. No decent public transport is available, but Taxis/Uber are commonly used and car purchase is an easy option as the offer is wide. Although Kampala and Entebbe are considered under a moderate threat level (threat level III), many UN agencies and funds are headquartered in Kampala including UNHCR Country Office to provide support on the mandate to protect and assist refugees of both urban caseloads and those in settlements in the South-West, Mid-West and West Nile regions. Kampala is considered a family duty station with better social amenities- schools, recreation and health services. The major threats to staff include and are not limited to prospects of terrorism allowed heavy security presence in both uniform and plain cloth, high road traffic accidents, common law crimes and spontaneous outbreaks of water born disease like typhoid, cholera plus occasional political/civil unrest mostly contained by Government. The UNSMS has put in place mitigation measures to avert the impact of the security risks therein and is a collective responsibility of personnel.
Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, FS-Security Analysis, FS-Security Planning, IT-Computer Literacy

Education
Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Risk Management, Bachelor of Arts: Security Management

Certifications

First Aid Training – Other, Security Management Learning Program – Other

Work Experience
Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration