Deputy Chief of Security

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Reporting to the Chief of Security (CoS) within the Shared Service Center (SSC), the Deputy Chief of Security is responsible for :

• Ensuring that UNOPS security support is included in all aspects of the programming process at regional and country office level as well as throughout individual project life cycles, from project identification, planning, security/risk assessment, budgeting, implementation monitoring, evaluation and project closure – with emphasis at pre-engagement.

• Strengthening the security arrangements of UNOPS offices globally and operations, in line with UNSMS policies.

• In addition to UNOPS global responsibilities, s/he may be required to support security operations and incident response at UN City Copenhagen or Denmark, and act as the UN Chief Security Adviser for Denmark in accordance with the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) Policy Framework.

The primary objective of the Deputy Chief of Security is to support the Chief of Security UNOPS (CoS) in the discharge of her/his responsibilities, and advise and assist UNOPS’ senior management, Practices, Groups, Regional offices, Country offices and UNOPS personnel  globally on security related issues; to manage and reduce the risk to UNOPS personnel and at the same time enable UNOPS programme delivery throughout.

Policy formulation and planning

• Development, implementation, monitoring and maintenance of the UNOPS Security Programme in its global operations;

• Clarifies, interprets and leads the implementation of existing UN and UNOPS security policies, guidelines and procedures as applicable;

• Contributes to the preparation of briefing notes for managers and personnel as required, and provides inputs to position papers from a security perspective;

• Ensures effective and timely access of UNOPS managers and other personnel as required to normative documentation such as as policy, guidelines, risk management methodology, Security Risk Management Measures (SRM) and Residential Security Measures (RSM);

• Supports the CoS and Director SSC in coordinating the implementation of Business Continuity Plans at the field level;

• Keeps abreast of all security-related information and monitors international developments in order to assess their security-related trends and potential impact on UNOPS operations and personnel, in the short-medium-long term.

Field and operational support

• Provides strategic, operational and technical advice to UNOPS management, Regional and Country offices on security related policies, guidelines, procedures, best practices and risk management matters;

• Tracks developing threats, assesses the potential impact of events and changes in the risks to UNOPS personnel, premises, assets, programme design and delivery;

• Provides timely and accurate advice to senior management and Regional and Country offices regarding effective risk mitigation measures, including possible UNOPS support needs and improvements;

• Supports implementation of security related recommendations and ensures follow up.

• Undertakes security assessment and support missions to the field as required, which may take place at short notice and to high risk destinations;

• Assists in the formulation and management of appropriate security-related requests from HQ, regional and fields offices;

• Addresses field office needs associated with program, operations and premises towards compliance with UN and UNOPS security policies, guidelines, procedures, security operating standards and best practices to ensure an effective level of protection and response;

• Advises on the selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security and safety needs (vehicles, telecommunications equipment, etc.), as well its maintenance;

• Coordinates and advises on the implementation of security training programs for UNOPS personnel;

• Leads incident response and crisis management when impacting on UNOPS personnel, other assets, and operations of the organisation.

Programming

• Provides substantive advice to managers regarding the mainstreaming of security risk management and related costs into programmes;         

• Advises on the inclusion of security as a factor in the UNOPS Regional and Country Programme Strategic Plans, to enable the activities within acceptable levels of security risks.

• Addresses field offices and projects needs associated with programme, operations and premises towards compliance with UNSMS and UNOPS security policies.

Managerial Functions, Representation and Networking

• Supports the CoS as the leader of the UNOPS Security functions and in setting the strategic direction of security management in UNOPS, facilitating its integration into corporate planning, programming and operations;

• Coordinates with and provides technical leadership to UNOPS Field Security Advisers, Security Focal Points and other security designated personnel;

• Coordinates and liaises with other UNOPS units, as needed for the security function;

• Acts as alternate security focal point for UNOPS at corporate level, and represents the organisation to the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and security sections of other UNSMS organisations.

Support to UNSMS and serve occasionally as UN Chief Security Adviser for Denmark

• Support to the UN Designated Official (DO), the Security Management Team (SMT) and the Chief Security Adviser for Denmark, in the coordination and development of the UN security management system in the country;

• Coordinates with UNDSS and other UNSMS present in Denmark; 

• Contributes to the preparation, maintenance, and testing of the country-specific security planning documents based on sound risk assessment;

• Serve as officer-in-charge as Chief Security Adviser.