Senior Field Security Advisor

Peace and Security Cluster

Background Information – UNMAS

Established in 1997 and operating under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a specialized entity that works to eliminate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices by coordinating United Nations mine action, leading operational responses at the country level, and supporting the development of standards, policies and norms. 

At the country level, through its 19 field programmes, UNMAS provides strategic direction  as part of peacekeeping operations,  humanitarian emergencies and development contexts. In line with its global and/or country-programme specific mandates, UNMAS may plan and design mine-action projects, support and coordinate the work of local and international mine-action actors, and set priorities for mine action activities.

As a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), UNMAS provides explosive hazard management capacities, including mitigation, to AMISOM as part of a logistical support package. Non-lethal tactical advice and analysis is delivered by UNMAS technical advisors located in each AMISOM Sector Headquarters and at AMISOM Force Headquarters, who support AMISOM planning and operations. UNMAS support includes both enabling (“operate in spite of IEDs”) and response (“defeat the device”). As a component of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), UNMAS also supports the Federal Government of Somalia, including the Somali Police Force, Somali Explosive Management Authority and National Security Advisor. 

The Senior Field Security Adviser reports directly to the Programme Director and cover all Mine Action Programmes in the Somalia Region and will work closely with Project Managers. The incumbent is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Act as the primary focal point for strategic security issues within the defined area of responsibility;
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive knowledge of the mine action operational environment scope and scale of operations including explosive hazard threats and of the planning and conduct of tasks and activities at the national level;
• In close coordination with the respective Project Managers, assist in the planning and advice on all security and safety matters including explosive hazard threats, this should include advice to staff on training and security policies and guidelines;
• Advise the Programme Director on security IED incidents and security threats including those from IEDs Indirect Fire attacks, and other explosive hazards to ensure the threats are understood and represented within the UN integrated mission security management processes;
• Continually assess the operational IED threat to identify programme gaps or inefficiencies in existing counter IED support;
• Provide complete security analysis and reports and disseminate these to the Programme Director and Project Managers as necessary;
• Analyze security factors and levels of risk related to staff and dependents in the country as well as security of the organization’s assets and property through frequent security missions to all sub regional and make written recommendations for improvements in both physical safety and operational security. Follow up on these recommendations to ensure their implementation;
• Report security matters directly to the Programme Director and as necessary the respective Project Managers;
• Maintaining continual liaison with UNDSS, Host Governments and other actors in the country to promote UN Security Management System policies and procedures in all UNMAS operations through regular inter-agency consultations, networking, mutual support, and information sharing;
• Provide support to the Programme Director and UNSOM security team on Blast Mitigation Measures and assessments to advise and provide guidance on enhancing staff security;
• Conduct regular missions in the regions to assist project managers to, inter alia, ensure compliance with all mandatory security mitigation measures, review and revise country-specific Security Risk Assessments, review and revise UNMAS operational plans vis-à-vis security;
• Disseminating security guidelines, policies and procedures issued by Headquarters and the monitoring of their implementation;
• Ensuring that organizational programme and security objectives are reconciled, and that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development;
• Provide security advice to Project Managers on Emergency Response and Security Plans and in an emergency situation, ensure that appropriate level of security measures to support programme delivery, staff safety and security of organization property;
• Develop specific security strategies and operational procedures and establish contingency plans for the whole country. This should include viable medical evacuation plans;
• Advise Project Managers and Field Security Advisers in the assessments on security of premises;
• Management of staff both International and National security personnel
• Any other duties as assigned by the Programme Director.

*Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply


Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; OR
• First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience; OR
• Military experience or relevant police experience with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience is required.

Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in security management, risk or disaster management, law enforcement, military or police experience. 
• Within relevant experience, a minimum of two years of experience in security management or security planning at the National or International level in a conflict or post conflict environment is required.
• Relevant experience from the UN security management is highly desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in English (reading, speaking and writing).

Certifications:

• Valid Driving License.

1. Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA)
2. Contract level: P4 (ICS11) and
3. Contract duration: 'One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability'

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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 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.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.