Senior Security Officer

• Ensuring security risk management measures are in place for UNOPS personnel and assets.
• Advising Project Managers on security considerations in project planning and implementation.
• Supporting the Country Manager in maintaining compliance with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) policies.
•  Providing technical advice to Project Managers on security risk mitigation measures related to Implementing Partners (IPs), without assuming operational control, direct oversight, or accountability for IP activities or personnel.

• Serve as the primary security focal point for the UNOPS Mozambique office.
• Advise the Country Manager and Project Managers on security risks affecting UNOPS personnel, premises, and operations.
• Conduct and update security risk assessments for UNOPS offices, project sites, and travel routes.
• Adapt and maintain local security management arrangements in line with UNSMS standards and the Mozambique context, ensuring consistency with existing system-wide security frameworks.
• Provide security risk assessments and technical advice upon request, to inform project-related activities and operational decision-making, in accordance with UNSMS policies.

• Following World Bank requirements and the Security Management Plan (SMP), provide technical security advice to Project Managers on the inclusion of risk management in IP documentation and plans.
• This role does not entail direct oversight, operational control, or accountability for IP activities, personnel, or security arrangements. IPs remain fully responsible for their security management and duty of care under their contractual obligations.
• Assist Project Managers in reviewing security-related aspects of IP TORs and reports, identifying potential risks, and advising on possible mitigation measures.
• Responsibility for implementation, monitoring, and enforcement with IPs rests entirely with the Project Manager and the contracting authority.

• Maintain situational awareness by liaising with UNDSS, government security actors, humanitarian agencies, and other partners.
• Support security coordination for UNOPS personnel movements, ensuring compliance with UNSMS procedures.
• Provide advice on safe access strategies to field sites in insecure areas. 

• Deliver security briefings and inductions for newly deployed UNOPS personnel.
• Conduct periodic refresher sessions on personal safety, travel security, and emergency procedures.
• Lead the training, mentoring, and capacity development of the National Security Officer to enhance local security management capabilities.

• Serve as the focal point for reporting and analysing security and safety (according to UNSMS Security Policy Manual) incidents affecting UNOPS personnel or operations.
• Maintain accurate incident records and ensure lessons learned are integrated into security planning.

• Maintain updated security documentation, including but not limited to contact lists, warden systems, and emergency communication procedures.
• Support the Country Manager in ensuring compliance with SRM requirements.

• An advanced university degree in Security Management, Political or Social Sciences, Law, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

• Two (2) years of relevant professional experience in security risk management, preferably in complex or conflict-affected environments with a Master’s degree or four (4) years experience with a bachelor’s degree is required.
• Experience in the Mozambique security context is desirable.
• Experience with UNSMS policies and procedures is desirable.
• Proven ability to conduct security risk assessments and develop mitigation measures is desirable.

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required 
• Portuguese is desirable.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist - 9 (ICS 9)
Contract duration: Open ended subject to organisational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

• 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. 

• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

• This position is based in Pemba, Mozambique which is a non-family duty station.

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.