Regional Security Adviser

Background Information- Job Specific 

The Middle East Region (MR) Office is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks, as well as providing technical and strategic leadership, advisory services and operational support to Multi-Country Offices (MCOs), Country Offices (COs) and Project Offices (POs) across its regional portfolio of engagements in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Yemen and Jerusalem, in line with the principles, rules and regulations of UNOPS and in order to support the response to the current needs and priorities of the region.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

The position will be based in Amman, Jordan and will cover the Middle East region.

The Regional Security Advisor (RSA) reports to both the Regional Director (RD) and the Chief of Security (CoS), and supports them in their security-related responsibilities. Within delegated authority, the RSA will be responsible for the following results in the regional area of responsibility:


1. Security strategy development and implementation 

2. Advisory 

3. Monitoring and reporting 

4. Training, awareness and knowledge sharing 

5. Team management 

Security Strategy Development and Implementation 

The Regional Security Advisor (RSA) reports to both the Regional Director (RD) and the Chief of Security (CoS), and supports them in their security related responsibilities. Within delegated authority, the RSA will be responsible for the following results in the regional area of responsibility: 

• Prepare the security strategy and plan, including all aspects related to elaboration, development, adaptation, implementation and updating. 
•  Advice to RD / CoS on security needs in the region, such as human resources and/or budgetary, elaborating the necessary proposals. 
•  Perform security risk assessments, both routine and ad-hoc, based on established UNSMS standards to ensure optimal security measures are in place for UNOPS personnel, assets and operations. 
• Prepare an annual region-wide work plan including a budget for all aspects of security to ensure full compliance with UN security management policies, procedures and guidelines, including Security Plan, Fire Safety, implementation of mandatory security risk management measures (SRMM), and residential security measures (RSM). 
• Develop and implement security protocols and procedures adapted to local conditions, consistent with UN security policies and frameworks, and to local procedures and practices. 
• Assist in the maintenance of lists of UNOPS personnel and their dependents, offices, residences, project sites and focal points, and ensure the maintenance of an effective system to account for personnel rapidly during emergencies as well as the capacity to issue notifications and instructions. 
• Maintain an ongoing evaluation of evacuation systems and resources, including performing drills as necessary, and assuming leadership in the case of an emergency. 
• Contribute to the development of the Business Continuity Planning (BCP), documentation, regular training and testing. 
• Lead in ensuring effective response to offices in crisis situations. 
• Plan and coordinate security operations for specific events and visits.
• Determine, manage and account for the use of security equipment including emergency communications. 
• Maintain security of the UNOPS’ offices by conducting physical security inspections of facilities, background checks and entry control. 
• Undertake security assessment and support missions to the field as required, which may take place at short notice and to high risk destinations. 
• Coordinate, maintain and apply protection details for senior officials as necessary. 
• Serve on call 24/7 to attend to urgent security and safety matters and lead response to security related incidents

Advisory 

The RSA advises and assists the RD, Country Directors / Managers, other managers and UNOPS personnel, on all aspects of security management throughout the region. Specifically, the RSA is responsible for: 

• Providing timely, accurate and relevant security advice in accordance with UNOPS and UNSMS/UN SMT policies, guidelines, procedures and decisions. This may include the development of ad hoc guidelines and SoPs for country offices. 
• Assessing prevailing security conditions in the region, identifying security trends and advising management and personnel on potential security concerns. 
• Advising and supporting UNOPS personnel traveling on mission, according to prevailing risks. 
• Advising UNOPS personnel on residential security matters. 
• Leading response to security related incidents. 
• Maintaining continuous liaison with UNDSS, other International Organizations, Host Government and relevant local actors to gather and assess information on security and safety matters which may impact on UN/UNOPS personnel and programmes in the region of responsibility, and enable effective security management, networking, mutual support, and information sharing. 
• Working closely with the UNOPS CoS and keeping the CoS informed on all relevant security issues. 
• Ensuring effective mechanisms for responding to day-to-day security requirements. 
• Providing substantive advice to managers regarding the mainstreaming of security risk management and related costs into programmes and projects, to enable implementation within a threshold of acceptable risk. 
•  Advising and supporting relevant stakeholders in the procurement, selection, installation and administration of security and safety equipment, services and personnel. The incumbent may be called to serve on procurement committees / selection panels.

•  Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent); or 
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor's Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience; or 
• Military or Police senior Command and Staff College qualification at a senior level with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience is required.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• The candidate should be in good physical condition, appropriate to coordinate and support emergency operations, as well as to travel to any location, including high security risk and hardship duty stations.
  
  

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.