Field Security Officer

Full Job Description

D

Family

PR3

Professional* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff member’s country of nationality.

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

No

2023-10-13

November 9, 2023

Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Field Security Officer reports to the manager, who may be, according to context, the Representative/Chief of Mission or Head of Office within a country operation, the Senior Field Security Officer; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; the Chief, Security Operations Section at Headquarters, or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.
The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security, providing sound, well- reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.
The incumbent may directly supervise security personnel at the international or national level. The incumbent may, depending on the context, be expected to monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.
The Field Security Officer may, depending on the context, be expected to travel on mission to multiple duty stations to provide advice and support to the local manager as agreed in mission terms of reference.

All UNHCR personnel are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, personnel are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties
- Advise and support the manager on all aspects of security risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness with regard to maintaining the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, operations, and facilities.
- Undertake security risk assessments/ ad hoc Security Risk Managements (SRM) analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
- Participate in the development or update of the SRM process for designated areas.
- Evaluate existing Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) to determine their appropriateness and identify areas needing improvement. Follow up with actions to oversee or implement those improvements.
- Monitor compliance with standards established through the Security Risk Management process.
- Ensure gender considerations are included in the SRM processes and that SRMMs are appropriate. At a minimum these must include security briefings, travel advisories and the development and update of the Aide Memoire for Response to Gender-Based Security Incidents
- Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contributing to the UNSMS plans and planning for relocation/evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies test plans in exercises or drills. to ensure that personnel are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them effectively in an emergency.
- Ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
- Coordinate and assist in management of critical incidents and post-incident processes reporting to manager, regional security coordinator and FSS.
- Participate in and support activities to advise on Programme Criticality assessment process.
- As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
- Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including Host Government law enforcement authorities and other stakeholders to ensure effective information sharing.
- Maintain and enhance lines of communication with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UNSMS Security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood. Actively contribute to the Security cell and support the UNSMS.
- Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens.
- Provide country-relevant, security advice and training which is gender inclusive to UNHCR personnel, and where feasible to staff of NGOs and Partners in areas In line with UNSMS and UNHCR standards. Coordinate training with security management training unit of the global learning development centre.
- Prepare periodic analytical reports on security issues in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and as relevant the regional Senior Security Coordinator and FSS.
- Maintain linkages with the Psychosocial Well Being Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
- Undertake other security-related functions or responsibilities as delegated by the supervisor.
- Assist in building the capacity of national field security personnel by providing mentoring, on the coaching and other forms of guidance.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education
Security; Security Management; Business Administration;
Political Science; Social Science; International Relations;
or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses
Security Management,

Security Risk Management,

Security and Safety certification,
WSAT ToT

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable
Proven competences in security analysis. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working within or with humanitarian NGOs. Experience in implementing gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes.
Relevant training (first aid, WSAT, SSAFE, presentation skills, training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience of effectively handling gender-based security incidents.
Experience of delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills
*FS-Security Risk Management
*FS-Field Security Operations
*FS-Security Planning
*FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management
FS-Security Analysis
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

In addition to the details in the job description, experience and exposure in East Africa Region is desirable.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link: ”

Nature of Position:

Tanzania has largely remained peaceful since its independence in 1961. Surrounded by countries prone to conflict, the country has a long history of generosity in granting asylum to refugees from many of its neighbouring countries. Since independence the country has offered refuge to more than two million refugees and asylum seekers and has provided solutions for their protracted situation, including voluntary repatriation, local integration, and resettlement. Refugees have arrived in Tanzania in several waves of displacement, largely from Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi, although significant populations also came from Mozambique and Uganda. Tanzania’s early refugee policies favoured local integration into self-sufficient agricultural settlements. However, since the mass refugee influx from Rwanda in 1996, Tanzania’s approach to refugee protection and management shifted from a focus on local economic integration to one of strict encampment.

Nyarugusu camp, in the Kigoma region of Tanzania, was created in 1996 after an estimated 150,000 Congolese refugees escaped civil war and fled into Tanzania. In addition, in 2015, over 110,000 Burundian refugees were accommodated in Nyarugusu and other camps after fleeing civil unrest.  As of June 2023, Nyarugusu camp hosts 90,000 Congolese seekers, whereas approximately 75,000 Burundian refugees reside in Nyarugusu camp and 80,000 in Nduta camp, near Kibondo.  The camps also host a relatively small number of refugees from other countries.  Most recently, from March through August 2023, the DRC experienced an uptick in violence and over 10,000 new Congolese refugees were received in Kigoma, then registered and accommodated in Nyarugusu camp. In accordance with the Refugees Act of 1998, refugees’ movement outside of the camp is legally allowed by permit only, though some refugee movement is nonetheless observed outside the camps, for example to pursue livelihoods activities.  With regards to durable solutions, Nyarugusu camp currently hosts a large group resettlement programme geared towards Congolese refugees, prioritizing those who arrived between 1996 and 1999.  UNHCR and the Government of Tanzania have facilitated voluntary repatriation for Burundian refugees and asylum seekers since 2016, and the process is ongoing. 

Nyarugusu and Nduta camps are jointly managed by UNHCR and the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of Tanzania. The region’s administrative seat is in Kigoma.  UNHCR supports physical security in the camp through an MOU with the police and Ministry of Home Affairs, and supervision of community watch teams. The Field Security Officer will be primarily concerned with security in the field operational areas of Kigoma region, including Nyarugusu camp (UNHCR FO-Kasulu), Nduta camp (UNHCR FO-Kibondo), and Kigoma (UNHCR SO-Kigoma) and travel may thus be required to these areas.

The Field Security Officer will report to the Head of Field Office for Protection and is also expected to work closely with the Heads of Field Office and Protection Officers and other colleagues to help ensure an adequate response to incidents affecting the physical security of people we serve as well as UNHCR staff members.

Living and Working Conditions:

Field Office Kasulu is located in the Kigoma Region of Tanzania (Western Region) and is approximately 1200kms away from the Regional Economic City of Dar Es Salaam, and about 55kms from the Burundi border. There are two main seasons; the dry season (May to October) is mostly dusty while the rainy season (November to April) is quite muddy and cool. Staff are advised to be equipped with appropriate clothing including fleece and rain jackets.

There are 11 UNHCR houses located in two compounds close to the office for international staff members. 4 of the houses have shared common areas with separate bedrooms and shared bathrooms, 3 semi-detached houses, and 6 individually occupied. Although basic, the houses are fully furnished. The PAMA telephone facility is available in all the staff houses and can be used to communicate internationally using assigned PIN Codes. Internet access is provided as is satellite TV (DSTV) with the cost of the latter covered by individual staff members. However, UNHCR owned houses are not enough for all international staff and some are renting houses in the town.

Kasulu offers a limited choice of food and other items, and staff often have to rely on visits to Kigoma or elsewhere for variety. There are no duty-free shops or supermarkets. Due to the lack of basic facilities, families of staff members (national and international) are mostly living elsewhere even though Kasulu is classified as a family duty station.

Recreation facilities in Kasulu are very basic. Kigoma, which is the closest town (96 kms by road) is not easily accessible as staff members have to rely on UN vehicles and those wishing to travel need to make their own private arrangement for the use of vehicles. Alternatively public transport to Kigoma Town is available through the local taxis and minibuses at individuals own risk.

Security Conditions: UN Security Level-3 is currently in place, which limits official and private road travel by staff as per the MOSS. All official missions in this region cannot begin before sunrise and no travel can take place after sundown. Security escort is not required for travel from Kasulu to Kigoma Town and between Kasulu – Kibondo during daytime. For all official movements outside Kasulu, staff must obtain security clearance from UNDSS through TRIP.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts (BA): Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Military, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Police Studies, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science

Certifications

Safety and Security - Other, Security Management Learning Program - Other, Security Risk Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

Compendium Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B - October 2023

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance