Security And Safety Specialist

Job Summary

The Security Adviser is responsible for providing strategic security and safety guidance, risk management support, and technical advice to UN Women Country Offices, Multi-Country Offices, and Regional Offices. The role ensures effective implementation of UN and UN Women security policies, security risk management measures, emergency preparedness, and safety procedures to protect personnel, premises, assets, and programmes.

The position supports security assessments, incident management, security planning, training, compliance monitoring, stakeholder coordination, and budget management while ensuring that security considerations are integrated into programme planning and operations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Technical Security Support and Advisory Services

• Provide technical support, guidance, and advice to Country Offices, Multi-Country Offices, and Regional Offices.
• Provide timely security and safety advice, recommendations, and mission approvals.
• Interpret and implement UN and UN Women security and safety policies.
• Oversee security evaluations and provide advice on Residential Security Measures (RSM).
• Monitor emerging threats and security risks affecting personnel, premises, assets, and programme delivery.
• Recommend effective risk prevention and mitigation measures.
• Provide security surge support outside designated duty stations when required.
• Provide remote security support to UN Women personnel, offices, programmes, and projects.
• Advise Security Focal Points on online security assessments and compliance systems.

2. Security Assessments and Risk Management

• Oversee security assessments of duty stations and ensure proper collection and verification of security information.
• Conduct security assessments of UN Women premises, equipment, and operations.
• Provide recommendations for effective risk management and security improvements.

3. Security Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with government security organizations, military, police, NGOs, UN entities, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in security groups, including IASMN Working Groups as assigned.
• Provide advisory support during UN security management meetings including SMT, UNCT, and OMT meetings.
• Maintain security networks with international and national security personnel.
• Represent UN Women in security meetings, workshops, training sessions, and conferences as required.

4. Security Information Management and Communication

• Provide security updates and information to headquarters through security portals and documentation systems.
• Disseminate security information, alerts, and safety measures to personnel and stakeholders.
• Share analytical security products and reports with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain regular communication with Security Focal Points.
• Establish and maintain UN Women Warden Systems and communication trees where applicable.

5. Security Plan Development and Implementation

• Develop, maintain, and implement UN Women Security Plans in line with UN Security Plans.
• Support preparation, review, and implementation of security plans.
• Provide recommendations regarding security and safety equipment procurement.
• Prepare security clearance and movement requests.
• Coordinate implementation of Warden Systems.
• Maintain updated records related to offices, residences, and premises directories.

6. Security Compliance and Risk Management Measures (SRMM)

• Support implementation of Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM).
• Compile required information for SRMM assessments and compliance surveys.
• Provide technical guidance to Security Focal Points on security compliance requirements.
• Support implementation of Security Compliance Action Plans.
• Provide technical support for Security and Safety Compliance Enhancement Funding (SSCEF).
• Ensure security systems, procedures, and protocols are implemented according to organizational risk acceptance.
• Provide security compliance support to UN Women offices within assigned areas.
• Support programme teams in completing security-related programme assessments.

7. Security Incident Reporting and Analysis

• Report security and safety incidents affecting personnel, programmes, offices, and assets.
• Collect information and provide inputs into security reports, incident reporting systems, and risk assessments.
• Oversee security evaluations and surveys of Regional Offices, Multi-Country Offices, Country Offices, and Programme Presence Offices.
• Prepare accurate country security briefings and provide security inputs for position papers.
• Provide security information to the UN Security Management System as required.

8. Security Training and Capacity Building

• Participate in the development and delivery of UN Security Management System training.
• Develop and conduct UN Women-specific security and safety training.
• Provide security orientation and briefings for newly assigned personnel.
• Conduct security mainstreaming sessions as required.
• Provide Business Continuity Planning (BCP) training support.
• Provide Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) training support.
• Coordinate security briefings for UN Women Representatives and Heads of Offices.
• Develop and deliver specialized security training under the guidance of the Global Security Adviser.

9. Budget and Financial Management

• Manage security and safety work plans and related budgets.
• Prepare security budgets and support Security and Safety Compliance Enhancement Funding requests.
• Provide security inputs into business work plans, strategic notes, programme budgets, and planning processes.
• Monitor security compliance funds and ensure effective utilization.
• Review budget reports and ensure expenditures remain within approved limits.
• Provide expenditure updates to the Global Security Adviser.
• Support budget closure and reporting processes.
• Ensure programmes contribute resources toward security and safety implementation.

10. Additional Security Responsibilities

• Provide Air Travel Focal Point services according to CATSU requirements.
• Maintain coordination with commercial security companies supporting UN Women offices and residences.
• Ensure effective and efficient utilization of security guard services.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Security Management, Business Administration, Leadership, Political Science, Social Science, Psychology, International Relations, or related fields.
• A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in place of an advanced degree.
• UN, military, or police senior Command and Staff College qualification with command experience may be accepted in place of an advanced degree.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in security management.
• At least 2 years of experience at the international level in country, regional, or global security contexts.
• Experience conducting security and safety risk assessments as part of operational planning is required.
• Experience in disaster and conflict operations is desirable.
• Experience implementing business continuity programmes is desirable.
• Experience in regional or global security roles is desirable.
• Experience with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) is desirable.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong knowledge of security risk management frameworks and humanitarian security practices.
• Excellent analytical, assessment, and decision-making skills.
• Strong leadership and coordination abilities.
• Excellent communication, reporting, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in complex and high-risk environments.
• Strong knowledge of security planning, compliance, and emergency preparedness.
• Ability to provide strategic advice and technical guidance.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, or Spanish).

Skills Required:

• Political / Science / Ir
• Sales / Marketing / Business / Management
• Social / Science / Project / Management / Development