Senior Security Officer

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements. 

Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Background Information - Job-specific 

The Senior Security Officer operates within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), under the supervision of the Country Director (UEMCO) and functional guidance of the Senior Field Security Adviser (Chişinău).

The incumbent leads the UEMCO Security Team, providing oversight, coordination, and technical guidance to three National Security Officers based in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv. He/she ensures the effective delivery of safety and security support across UEMCO operations, maintaining close coordination with UNDSS and other security counterparts to enable safe and compliant programme delivery.

• Advisory and technical 

• Operations

• Personnel Capacity on Safety and Security

• Team management 

• Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. Advisory and Technical 

• Maintain awareness of the changes in the security environment, timely reacting and advising the Country Director, office management team, and all Project Managers on all safety and security-related matters, including the potential impact on the planning and implementation of projects.

• In line with the UN Security Management System methodology, policies, and procedures, draft , as required, security risk assessments outlining threats and risks to personnel, operations and assets and recommended risk management  strategies and security measures

• Provide technical advisory and oversight services to ensure that safety and security is a core component of all programmes at the duty station and field sites 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 during the establishment of projects and during project implementation. 

• Ensure implementation of all security policies, protocols and procedures 

• Propose and manage the budget for the  security function and monitor expenses.

• Collect and analyze data to support proposals for improvements (e.g. in the domain of operations; security , physical security

• Draft and regularly update the  Security Plan and its annexes

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

• Maintain an 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 regularly the security arrangements for all operations, maintaining relevant instructions, such as security and evacuation plans;

• Takes the lead in incident response and coordinates personnel when responding to emergencies and alarms.

• Report to the Country Director all incidents and non-compliance with the established policies and arrangements.

• 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 ad-hoc, 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.

• Monitor and facilitate personnel adherence to, and compliance with, UNSMS policies, SOPs and, 

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

• Supports incident response and attends security and safety matters as needed.

• Ensure consistent operational coordination and tasking of the UEMCO Security personnel to maintain standardized security practices across all field locations

• Liaise with and update regularly the Senior Security Field Advisor and SMT on the security situation, submitting periodic reports on security issues and performance.

• Liaise with the local government security organizations to gather and assess information on security and safety matters that might affect UNOPS personnel and programmes located in various areas in the country and provide analysis of security related information obtained. 

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

• Participate in the Security Cell and Security Management Team meetings;

3. Personnel Capacity on Safety and Security

• In coordination with UNDSS, develop and deliver staff security training programmes for UNOPS personnel. 

• Ensure that all UNOPS personnel receive a security briefing upon initial arrival at the duty station,  weekly security updates and ad-hoc  as necessitated by changes in the security environment,;

• Maintain up-to-date instructions and training for personnel relevant to the implementation of the security plan, particularly in relation to relocation and evacuation, 

• In coordination with UNDSS and other agencies’ security specialists, provide additional security awareness training to personnel, beyond the mandatory 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.

• Lead and supervise the UEMCO Security Team, composed of three Security Officers located in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, ensuring continuity of operations’ security, personnel travel monitoring and consistent implementation of security plans and procedures across all locations.

• Provide regular direction, mentoring, and performance feedback to security personnel under supervision, in coordination with the Senior Field Security Adviser.

5. Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing 

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for the project’s personnel on security-related topics. 

• Conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for UNOPS and for security personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking. 

• Contribute to security knowledge and communities of practice by providing collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in security management.

• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize them productively.

• Ensure full documentation of security management approaches and activities, to enhance knowledge-sharing/transfer.

• Facilitate regular coordination and knowledge-sharing among UEMCO security personnel to harmonize approaches and promote continuous improvement.

• Follow emerging security management approaches, stay up-to-date with trends and apply best practices.

 IV. Impact of Results 

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Senior Security Officer directly impacts on the security, safety and performance of UNOPS' personnel, local programmes, projects and operations and therefore the organization's credibility as an effective service provider in project services and management. This promotes the image of the office and enhances UNOPS' competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served. 

• 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.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA3/ICS11)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance.

• 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. 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.