Security Liaison Officer, Multiple positions, Multiple positions

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. 

The Security Liaison Officer’s role will be to undertake outreach activities on behalf of UNOPS, particularly with local authorities, State government offices, civil society and local non-governmental organizations. He/she will communicate regularly with local partners at the community level in field offices and with international staff.   

The Security Liaison Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and will perform the following specific duties and responsibilities:

• Supports the Country Director in active liaison with UN agencies/INGOs/NGOs on security related matters;
• Provide security awareness focus to all SSOC personnel and able to identify failings in the program and security arrangement during missions/official business which might expose UN Protectees to unnecessary risk;
• Assist in maintaining/implementation of the security plan, including updating staff lists;
• Assist in reporting/updating security incidents affecting UN staff, Offices and assets;
• Assist in performing security assessment, both routine and exceptional, as required, to ensure optimal safety standards are in place.
• Keep in close contact with UNDSS and remain aware of any ongoing security situation or threat that may affect the safety and security of UNOPS personnel;
• Attend team briefings on protection and security related issues;
• Develops relationships and provide ongoing liaison with local partners to ensure smooth information flows are established and maintained;
• Collects and maintains a comprehensive operational information database, including names of vital officials, contact details, meeting schedules of very important persons of state governments and central government.  This includes the collection of data on all partners including NGOs, UN agencies, government offices, donors, community-based organizations and civil society;
• Supports the Project Managers of various projects by communicating with local authorities and provide briefings as required;
• Communicates with various central government ministries, ministers, heads of departments and other relevant officials to clarify issues that may hinder the progress of projects;
• Identifies the information requirements of local authorities, including central and state government offices, civil society and local NGOs and make recommendations on their needs for the development of UNOPS activities;
• Provides timely interpretation / translations from Arabic to English and vice versa, in line with United Nations standards and of various types of documents covering a broad range of subject matters dealt with by UNOPS;
• Promotes and supports the UNOPS mandate at coordination meetings, sectoral working groups and other inter-agency meetings in the region of assignment;
• Contributes to lessons learned, identification of information flow problems and recommends solutions;
• Contributes towards the alignment of SSOC’s strategic plan within the context of South Sudan;
• Performs any other related duties as required.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Provides weekly summary of activities in process;
• Timely delivery of assigned tasks is required.

Final Product

• Effective liaison with the government and civil society;
• Effective representation of UNOPS in coordination meetings;
• Timely and efficient servicing of requests and processing transactions affects the team’s overall ability to deliver quality services to clients;
• Accurate, well-organized and complete information and records to facilitate decision-making, and reduce the need for corrective action resulting from errors;
• Client satisfaction based on feedback and performance indicators.

UNOPS Core Values/Competencies

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for diversity
• Creativity and innovation
• Commitment to continuous Learning
• Accountability
• Planning and organization skills
• Results orientation
• Strong oral and written communications skills:
• Teamwork skills
• Client orientation
• Technological awareness

• Security Management - (2 years required)
• UN Security Management System - (optional)
• Security  Risk Assessment - (2 years required)
• UNDSS - (optional)
• MOSS - (optional)
• Incident Reporting - (optional)
• Incident Debriefing - (optional)
• Diplomatic work - (optional)
• International organizations experience - (optional)
• Warden system - (optional)
• Translations - (optional)

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Public administration, Business or Security management or related field is required;
• Technical/Professional license with additional 1 year of relevant experience or Technical/Professional Diploma with additional 4 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of bachelor’s degree

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of directly relevant experience  and exposure in the security arena dealing with security related issues is required;
• Previous works with diplomatic missions is an advantage;
• Experience with the UN Security system is a strong advantage;
• Experience with work in an International  NGO, UN agency or other international technical cooperation agency is desirable;
• Knowledge and previous experience of conflict contexts is an asset.

Languages

• Fluency knowledge of English language is required;
• Knowledge of Arabic language desired.