Field Security Advisor

UNOPS works with multiple partners including the Governments of Somalia, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes. UNOPS is particularly interested in strengthening its coordination and liaison capacity with relevant Government institutions, Government led mechanisms and emerging trust fund instruments.

Under the direct supervision of the  Field Security Advisor IICA 3, the incumbent will be based in Mogadishu, Somalia and will perform the following duties:

• Assist the Field Security Advisor IICA-3 in advising the Country Director, Head of Programme, and all Project Managers on all safety and security-related matters, and the possible impact on project design, implementation and funding;
• Assist the FSA IICA-3 in making substantive safety and security recommendations in line with UN and industry best practice enabling project implementation without compromising UNOPS personnel safety and security;
• The Field Security Advisor will assist the FSA IICA-3 and therefore operate within the framework of the UN Security Management System and co-ordinate directly with the local UNDSS office;
• In addition to liaising with UNDSS, the Field Security Advisor will ensure that appropriate and effective coordination is maintained with other UN security officers and other regional security services so as to enhance coordination and implementation of the security arrangements across the Operations Centre;
• Report all security-related incidents across Somalia to the FSA IICA-3 that may have an impact on UNOPS’ projects or programmes;
• Review all new project proposals from a security perspective and provide comments to ensure security concerns are addressed, and conduct field assessments as necessary;
• Review all aspects of convoy procedures and medical evacuations across Somalia.
• Review security arrangements for all field offices in the region and maintain copies of all the relevant instructions such as security and evacuation plans;
• Ensuring 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;
• Ensure by supervising the process, that timely submissions of staff travel security clearance requests are carried out;
• Perform security assessments, both routine and exceptional, as directed by the FSA IICA-3, to ensure optimal safety standards are in place for staff traveling across the area of operation;
• Maintain accurate multi-sourced country files on current and projected-security issues (assessments, security plans, etc.) and brief the necessary staff when required;
• Provide heightened security awareness training to staff, beyond the required security and emergency procedures, if necessary;
• Define, manage and account for the use of security equipment including communications equipment;
•  Ensure that all personnel in Somalia are provided with security training and briefings;
• Plan and lead convoy movements to locations in Mogadishu.
• Plan and lead air moments to locations outside Mogadishu.
• Must be contactable / on call 24/7 to assist in all security issues (including traffic accidents) in relation to UNOPS’ projects and staff;
• Ability to produce Standard Operating Procedures/Security Plans in accordance with UNDSS methodology;
• Act as OIC Field Security Advisor when the FSA IICA 3 is out of country

• Master degree or equivalent preferably in social or political science, law, public administration, business management or security management with 5 years of relevant work experience is required; or
• Bachelor's degree with 7 years of relevant experience is required; or
• A police or military technical or professional diploma plus 9 years of relevant experience is required; or
• High/secondary school degree plus 11 years of military/police or security related experience is required

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the fields of security, law enforcement or military is required.
• Skills in Security advisory and security management are essential
• Experience in planning and leading convoys in hardship duty station essential.
• Experience of working in East Africa is desirable;
• Experience in Security Risk Assessment is an asset;
• Experience in liaising and advising senior management an asset;
• Experience in Crisis Management and Evacuation Coordination is an advantage;
• Direct experience with the United Nations Security Management System is an advantage;
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures an advantage;

• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Arabic, French or the local language (Somali) is an asset

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

UNOPS East Africa Hub

The UNOPS East Africa Hub is located in Nairobi and oversees the organizations operations in Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi. The Hub covers a large geographic spread, including Eritrea, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros, in addition to those mentioned above. UNOPS in Kenya implements a large portfolio of projects in partnership with other UN agencies and various donors on the ground, ranging from physical infrastructure to transactional projects.


Somalia Office

The UNOPS Somalia Office was established in Mogadishu. At present UNOPS manages a significant portfolio of projects in Somalia through a hybrid system that combines a light country footprint and resources provided by the Nairobi based East Africa Hub. 

UNOPS works with multiple partners including the Governments of Somalia, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes. In keeping with the New Deal architecture UNOPS is particularly interested in strengthening its coordination and liaison capacity with relevant Government institutions, Government led mechanisms and emerging trust fund instruments.

Current Somalia operations are largely focused on assisting partners with the implementation of physical infrastructure projects including construction and rehabilitation of rule of law infrastructure, transport infrastructure (roads, airports) and public administration infrastructure. UNOPS also plays a leading role in supporting the Somali Government and the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia in Rule of Law Programming, including through the delivery of police stipends projects.