Senior Security Associate

Background Information – Philippines

Established in 2016, UNOPS Philippines provides expert support to ensure sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure activities in projects. With funds from the European Union (EU), UNOPS supports the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme (GOJUST2) through procurement, logistics, and grants management to push forward the justice reform agenda of the Philippine government through innovations and interventions; as well as providing grants to civil society organizations to improve access to justice of marginalized groups. In the Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, UNOPS is working with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government to strengthen the capacities of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to ensure a smooth transition, also with funds from the EU. In the health sector, UNOPS works with the DOH / ADB in the HEAL project (Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19).

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, logistics management, procurement in health, rule of law,  and governance sectors.

Project Background Information – SUBATRA

Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) is a 5-year program funded by the European Union and co-financed by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) through an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. SUBATRA contributes to a smooth and timely transition through capacity building for the three branches of the Bangsamoro Government (executive, legislative and judicial) and civil society organisations. This will promote an enabling good governance environment and support the efficient implementation of policies set up by the transition plan, with a focus on capacities that are critical for the sound functioning of interim institutions. These include 

• Output 1: the capacity of the BTA’s executive branch superstructure to drive and coordinate key transitional policies; 

• Output 2: the capacity of the Parliament to exercise its law-making and oversight functions; 

• Output 3: the capacity of the Justice System to adjudicate litigations and improve access to justice and 

• Output 4: the capacity of the civil society to contribute to a peaceful transition to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The expected outcomes of the project are:

• Overall Objective: To contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure, and inclusively developed Mindanao.

• Specific Objective: Establishing an enabling democratic governance environment for a smooth implementation of the transition in the Bangsamoro Region.

UNOPS is responsible for the provision of logistical and administrative support, which includes the organisation of training, workshops, seminars, and study tours, as well as foreseen procurement of equipment under all 4 expected results, including communication and visibility activities. In addition, UNOPS is in charge of the assessment and implementation of the infrastructure component of the Action linked to Outputs 1,2,3 and 4. UNOPS will coordinate and receive policy directions from the EU and abide by decisions and directions provided by the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) of SUBATRA in accordance with the matrix of responsibilities, UNOPS rules and procedures and within the budget limit of this Agreement.

Reporting to the Project Manager and with a secondary reporting line to the Regional Security Advisor, the Senior Security Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations and UN Security Management System policies.  They are responsible for resolving security-related issues and information exchange in a timely fashion. 

The Senior Security Associate  will perform the following duties:

• Conducts routine security assessments and prepares summaries and recommendation;

• Gather, research, verify, and update security information and data required for: 

  • Proper analysis of the security situation, including preparedness and risks; 

  • The development of the Security Plan and the Self-Assessment Programme for the mandatory mitigation measures.

• Maintains staff lists, and information related to UNOPS office in Cotabato, residences, project sites, focal points, and the warden system for implementation of the Office/Operations Security Plan; 

• Disseminate, relay, exchange, and communicate information regarding the security situation in the areas of responsibility;

• Support in reporting online security incidents affecting UN staff, offices, and assets;

• Provide support in conducting security evaluations and provide advice on security measures for the residences of UN staff (RSM)/personnel, as well as on latest trends and threats to staff/personnel safety and security;

• Support  in reporting security incidents affecting UNOPS personnel, premises and assets, and assist in the preparation of security reports, such as the Security Incident Report (SSIR), survey reports and security assessments;

• Support in the monitoring compliance with the Security Risk Management measures and Standard Operating Procedures established for the duty station;

• Contribute to the compilation of data required for the programme's self-assessments;

• Provides oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

• Maintain regular contacts with UNDSS and Security Focal Points Of UN agencies;

• Provide support in organizing and conducting training courses on security awareness and preparedness, and provide security orientation to newly assigned staff/personnel members;

• Undertakes routine follow up action on security issues on behalf of the supervisor and informs supervisor of status.

• Administratively supports the organization of training courses on security awareness and preparedness, and may participate as a resource.

• Conducts basic elements of security briefings to newly arrived staff, as required.

• Provides guidance and advice to personnel on routine security procedures, communication channels, and focal points.

• Administers security-clearance processes including requests for compound access. 

• Maintain routine and confidential correspondence files/documents.

• Works closely with UNDSS and assist UNDSS in performing their overall coordination role providing information and support on issues related to UNOPS; 

• Responsible for reviewing/updating the business continuity plan BCP; 

• Conduct and oversee annual BCP tests to ensure UNOPS is prepared for likely scenarios.

• Actively represent UNOPS Cotabato office in UN/UNDSS security meetings. 

• Provide security updates and briefings to project staff as needed.

• Completion of secondary education required. 

• First-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in security management, business administration, political/social science or international relations, police/military science or other relevant field with a focus on security and security management is an advantage and can substitute for some of the required years of experience.

• Relevant certification in security-related studies is desired.

• A minimum seven (7) years of relevant working experience in the areas of security or operations services in national or international, public or corporate organizations, including in the following areas: incident reporting, security administration support, security communication, telecommunication and warden system is required with a secondary school diploma. Three (3) years of relevant experience is required in combination with a Bachelor degree.

• Experience with the United Nations Security Management System is a strong advantage.

• Prior experience with the UN system or international NGOs is an asset

• Knowledge of Telecommunication (including HF and VHF) is desirable.

• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required.

• Full working knowledge of English is required.

Contract type: Local ICA Support

Contract level: LICA-7/ICS-7

Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Duty Location: Cotabato City, Philippines (Cotabato is a non-family duty station)

• 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.

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.