Field Security Adviser

1. Advisory and technical 

2. Operations

3. Staff Development

4. Team management 

5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Provide risk analysis, including security, geo-political, political, legal and financial risks and actionable risk mitigation measures to ensure timely adaptation of operations

• Advise the office management team and all Project Managers on all safety and security related matters including the planning and implementation of projects.

• In line with the UN Security Management System methodology, policies, and procedures, develop, as required, security risk assessments outlining potential threats, risks levels and recommended mitigation/prevention strategies for office and project operations, taking into consideration relevant and existing assessments; 

• Provide technical advisory and oversight services to ensure that safety and security is a core component of all programmes at the duty station and that appropriate funding is provided based on actual needs.

2. Operations

• Review all new project proposals from a security perspective and provide comments and proposals to ensure security concerns are addressed.  Conduct field assessments if deemed necessary.

• Maintain close relations with UNDSS and assist UNDSS in performing their overall coordination role providing information and support on issues related to UNOPS.

• Develop, adapt, and implement security policies, protocols and procedures for local conditions, consistent with UN security frameworks.

• Propose and control budgets for security operations and monitor expenses.

• Analyze data to form proposals for improvements (e.g. implementation of new technology)

• Prepare an annual security work plan including budgeting for all aspects of office security ensuring full compliance with UN security management policies, procedures and guidelines; including:

  • Fire Safety 

  • Security Plan

  • Implementation of mandatory security mitigation/prevention measures

  • Residential Security Measures

• Revise and update the office Business Continuity Plan from a Security and Safety perspective

• Maintain up-to-date database of personnel and their dependents, information and related to UNOPS offices, residences, project sites, focal points, and the warden system for the implementation of the office/operation’s security plan;

• Review security arrangements for all operations, maintaining relevant instructions, such as security and evacuation plans for ready access by all parties;

• Ensure the smooth and efficient evacuation of UNOPS personnel and or dependants, managing the implementation of UNDSS and UNOPS evacuation and extrication policies, and assuming leadership in the case of declaration of evacuation. 

• Coordinate personnel when responding to emergencies and alarms.

• Develop mechanisms for reporting all security related incidents that may have an impact on UNOPS projects or programmes.

• Deliver bi-weekly security briefing presentations and provide latest security and political updates that have a potential to impact UNOPS MMCO staff, assets and operations.

• Liaise with and update regularly the UNOPS Chief of Security and/or Regional Security Adviser on the security situation, submitting periodic reports on security issues and performance.

• Plan and coordinate security operations for specific events and visits.

• Brief all new project managers on security concerns specific to their projects;

• Perform security assessments, both routine and exceptional, as required, to ensure optimal safety standards are in place for personnel traveling across the area of operation.

• Manage and perform daily monitoring, taking necessary action when required, and generate reports as needed.

• Maintain accurate multi-sourced country records on current and projected security issues (assessments, security plans, etc.) and brief necessary staff across the region when required;

• Monitor and facilitate personnel adherence to, and compliance with, the various UNDSS advisories, in particular: directions related to warden systems; mandatory mitigation/prevention measures and mandatory security training);

• Ensure that appropriate and effective coordination is maintained with other UN security officers and other regional security services to facilitate seamless implementation of the security arrangements across the respective business unit/office.

• Determine, manage and account for the use of security equipment including security communications equipment.

 3. Staff Development

• In Coordination with UNDSS, develop and deliver staff development and training programmes for UNOPS personnel and security focal points, including on Security Risk Assessments within the area of operation. 

• Ensure that all UNOPS personnel receive briefings upon initial arrival, local security training as necessitated by changes in the security environment, and are kept informed of matters affecting their security;

• Maintain up-to-date instructions and training for personnel on implementation of the security plan, including required precautions, comprehensive listing of emergency supplies, and guidance on action taken during emergencies, including natural disasters and political crises

• In Coordination with UNDSS, provide heightened security awareness training to personnel, beyond the required security and emergency procedures, if necessary.

 4. Team Management

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

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

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for Business Unit personnel on Security related topics.

• Lead and conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for Security personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking.

• Oversee team’s contributions to Security knowledge networks and communities of practice including collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in Security.

• Guide team’s collection of feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in social or political science, law, public administration, business management, security management or related field with 5 (five) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's Degree or equivalent) in social or political science, law, public administration, business management, security management or related field with 7 (seven) years of relevant experience is required; OR
• Secondary School Diploma (High school or equivalent) with a minimum of eleven (11) years of relevant experience is required; 

Work Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in security management, with at least 1-2 years in a senior command or leadership role. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Myanmar context is desired. 
• Direct experience with the United Nations Security Management System is a strong advantage;
• Demonstrated experience in producing Standing Operating Procedures/Security Risk Assessments/Security Plans in accordance with UNDSS methodology is an asset;
• Experience in Myanmar is desired

• Fluency in English is Required.
• Knowledge of a local language is desired

Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (Staff)

Contract level: P3 (ICS10)

Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability


For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:

• 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. 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.