Job Description

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in nearly 170 countries and territories, UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. UNDP in Somalia promotes Somali-led development solutions which address root causes of recurrent humanitarian crises, and which set the stage for sustainable development. UNDP Country Office in Somalia support the Government of Somalia, local authorities, and civil society with development programmes that address the following focus areas: disaster reduction and resilience, peacebuilding and conflict resolution, people-centered governance and rule of law, economic recovery and environmental protection, and protecting and empowering women.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

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

Position Purpose

Under the guidance and supervision of the Senior Field Security Specialist, the Country Office Security Assistant (COSA) assists in providing support in the implementation of security and safety management in the country of assignment while protecting and minimizing risks to UNDP personnel, property and operations to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout the country.  

The COSA may interact 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 in providing security management support to enable effective programme delivery throughout the country while protecting and minimizing risks to UNDP personnel and operations
  • Provide support to security risk management for UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes in designated areas.
  • Gather and organize information on security factors that are relevant to the design and delivery of UNDP programmes. 
  • Assist in conducting segments of security assessments and gather information on latest trends and threats to staff safety and security, as requested. 
  • Assist in implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches to address specific threats or vulnerabilities in alignment with security assessment results and procedures. 
  • Gather inputs for preparation of country security documents covering areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present. 
  • Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of field missions, including logistical arrangements, escort planning, and risk mitigation support.
  • Coordinate and submit Mission Security Clearance Requests (MSCRs) and Travel Authorizations, ensuring compliance with UNDSS guidelines and internal UNDP protocols as well as engage with security escorts, local authorities, and logistical teams to ensure safe and timely mission execution.
• Perform assigned activities to support implementation of the Country Security Plan, Contingency Plans and Business Continuity Management, and the UN Security Framework
  • Help in the preparation and updating security aspects of procedures for dealing with emergencies involving UNDP staff and operations.
  • Coordinate closely with HR Unit to ensure the staff Lists provided to UNDSS are kept up-to-date. 
  • Provide support in organizing training courses and briefings on security awareness and preparedness for UNDP personnel and provide security orientation to newly assigned staff members as requested. 
  • In coordination with HR, monitor UNDP staff security training compliance. 
  • Liaise with UNDP administration when preparing for procurement of security equipment and supplies, and other logistics
• Assist in monitoring security compliance of UNDP premises and international staff residences within assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Gather information relevant to the implementation and assessment of security and security risk management measures for UNDP premises. 
  • Maintain liaison with commercial companies used for UNDP security at offices and residences to ensure deployment of security resources are consistent with contract requirements. 
  • Assist in monitoring and assessing the safety and security preparedness of country offices and international staff residences.
• Provide support in keeping UNDP management and personnel informed on security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the Country office and its personnel
  • Gather information for inclusion in Country Office security reports. 
  • Respond to and assist in reporting safety and security incidents affecting UNDP personnel and eligible dependents by gathering and verifying security information relevant to analyzing the situation. 
  • Maintain a database on UNDP security contact details and the list of UNDP Security Focal points.
  • Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.
• Support Procurement, Logistics, and Financial Tracking
  • Prepare e-requisitions for security equipment, services, and supplies in accordance with UNDP procurement guidelines.
  • Follow up on procurement requests with relevant units to ensure timely processing and delivery of goods and services.
  • Maintain an overview of the security budget, track expenditures, and support the SFSS with regular budget reports and forecasting.
  • Maintain records of security-related contracts, service providers, and maintenance schedules.
  • Coordinate logistical arrangements for security training events, field deployments, and staff movements.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core: Full list of UNDP Core Competencies can be found here

• 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 a 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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management        

• Communication:
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience 
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 
  • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. 
  • Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Operations Management
  • Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the Organization beyond processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms
  • Ability to prepare e-requisitions according to applicable guidelines. 

Security Services        

• Security advice, planning and coordination
  • Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities
• Security information management
  • Analytical capabilities to process diverse security information and develop recommendations
• Security risk management
  • Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test security plans
  • Ability to plan, coordinate and execute a field mission according to applicable policies and procedures, and advise mission personnel on necessary actions. 
• Physical/premises security design, implementation and management
  • Ability to conduct accurate premises assessments on UN facilities to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place. 
  • Ability to design, support the implementation and test physical security systems for UNDP premises

Experiences and Qualifications

Education:

• 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 it is not a requirement.
• Applicable security, police and/or military training is desirable. 

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years (with high school diploma) or 2 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 is desirable
• Experience in the use of radio communications systems and knowledge of Country security codes is desirable.
• Valid driver’s license is required

Language Requirements 

• Fluency in written and spoken Somali and English is required.

Skills Required

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