Security Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, established to oversee the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, focuses on fragile and conflict-affected settings. With a workforce of more than 1,000 personnel, it operates across five multi-country offices in North, West, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as the Horn of Africa. The office's mission is to advance national priorities through strategic initiatives in various sectors, including Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It aims to promote excellence in project delivery, foster knowledge sharing, and drive continuous improvement to contribute to sustainable infrastructure and better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Job Overview:
The Security Officer will act as the Security Focal Point for the East and Southern Africa Multi Country Office (ESAMCO), providing essential security advisory, coordination, and operational support. This role is crucial for enabling safe program delivery and ensuring compliance with UNOPS and United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) security requirements. The incumbent will be responsible for implementing security measures across a diverse operational area, coordinating with various stakeholders, and ensuring that UNOPS personnel, assets, and operations are protected through effective risk management and emergency preparedness. The position requires a high degree of professional judgment and the ability to operate independently while providing expert security advice.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advisory and Technical Support: Reinforce security risk management in all UNOPS operations, monitor security developments, conduct Security Risk Assessments (SRAs), advise project teams on local threats, and ensure security considerations are integrated into project planning.
• Security Operations and Coordination: Coordinate with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), liaise with local law enforcement, manage security clearances, and oversee incident reporting mechanisms.
• Personnel Safety and Emergency Preparedness: Maintain personnel contact information, deliver security briefings, ensure mandatory security training, and coordinate emergency drills.
• Security Administration and Compliance: Assist in budget preparation for security operations, implement security policies, prepare security reports, and maintain security documentation.
• Team Management and Capacity Development: Supervise security personnel, facilitate work planning, and promote professional growth through mentoring and training.

Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 0 years of relevant experience is required. A professional security certification (e.g., UNDSS SSAFE, HEAT, CPP, or equivalent) is desired.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher in any discipline. A Master’s degree is preferred, especially for those with no prior experience. Professional security certifications are also highly regarded.

Experience:
Relevant experience in security management, law enforcement, military, or related areas is required. Candidates should have experience in security risk assessment, crisis management, and coordination with UNDSS or UN field security structures. Familiarity with collaboration and productivity tools is also necessary. Experience in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in developing countries is desired.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Additional language skills may be beneficial but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as an Associate level role (ICS 08) and is a full-time staff position under a Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA). The contract duration is open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups. Background checks are conducted for all final candidates to ensure compliance with organizational standards.