Security Specialist

This vacancy is being re-opened for a period of 24 hours under UNFPAs fast track procedures with slightly amended academic requirements. 

The Position:

The Security Specialist will be based in Port Sudan, with field visits to locations where UNFPA has presence, as required and security situation permitting. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the representative, the Security Specialist in collaboration with the international operations manager, will coordinate the day-to-day security activities, and maintains a line of communication with the Office of the Security Coordinator (OSC) through the Arab States Regional Security Adviser on all technical and security policy issues. He/she will assist the Representative in the implementation of the security related functions and provides leadership and advice to the Country Office (CO) personnel on all aspects related to planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of CO security activities. The Security Specialist maintains close co-operation with UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UN Security Management System organizations.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018- 2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. 

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire, and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in Programme results.

Job Purpose:

On 15 April 2023, clashes erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces and have been ongoing since then, with further escalations throughout the country.  Khartoum, Kordofan, Al Jazira, and Darfur states remain the epicenters of fighting. Since then, about 7.1 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan due to the conflict.  More than 2 million people have crossed into neighboring Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. 

The outbreak of conflict has driven humanitarian need to critical levels, with a 57% increase since November 2022, 24 million people now require assistance. Active conflict has shut down a host of basic services while making it unsafe to seek the services, care, and goods that do exist.  These risks include sexual violence, harassment, abuse, and exploitation. Since 15 April 2023, over 4 million people have fled their home.  For women and girls, the risks of domestic violence as well as conflict related sexual violence, trafficking, and sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse are staggering with reports increasing since the onset of increased conflict.  At the same time, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) responders are reporting increased sensitivity and fear in reporting GBV by women and girls. 

In response, UNFPA is staying and delivering and has already mobilized organization-wide support.  UNFPA has established temporary presence in Port Sudan, Red Sea state, and has scaled up its response out of Madani, Al Jazira state, to coordinate the humanitarian response at the national level.  UNFPA continues to adapt its activities across Sudan to focus on life-saving humanitarian response in the face of acute needs with the active participation and involvement of affected populations.  UNFPA’s response plan is built on established inter-agency partnerships, collaboration with the national and regional governments, and sustained residual presence of partners. 

In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the urgency and scale of needs, the Security Specialist will support the Sudan Representative in the execution of their duties with regards to the security of UNFPA personnel in accordance with the UN and UNFPA Security Management Systems.

You would be responsible for: 

Security Risk Management and Planning

• Advise the Representative in the execution of their duties about the security of UNFPA personnel and their eligible family members, assets including premises, and UNFPA programmes as per the UN and UNFPA Security Management Systems. 
• Attend as an observer, all (Area) Security Management Team meetings, assist the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participate as a member of the security coordination cell established by UNDSS. 
• Provide advice on and manage technical security elements contained in the UN Security Plan, Security Risk Management reports, and other relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and assess and monitor their implementation.  Provide technical oversight for contracted security providers and security measures at UNFPA premises, including access control measures. 
• Plan, coordinate and participate in inter-agency security assessment missions and UNFPA missions.
• Prepare, maintain, and update UNFPA security documentation including security contingency plans, and provide the Representative and the Office of the Security Coordinator (OSC) through the Arab States Regional Security Adviser with mandatory security reports, and ad hoc security reports.      This includes monitoring and reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports.
• Establish a flow of accurate and timely security related information to Country Office management and staff.  Update the Office of the Security Coordinator (OSC) through the Arab States Regional Security Adviser.   
• Actively participate in the design and revision of the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) of the Sudan Country office and support management in leading its implementation.  Provide security related input to the BCP. 
• Contribute to mainstreaming security into all levels of the programme cycle including design, implementation, and delivery, ensuring that human and financial resources are allocated to the implementation of security measures. 

Security Services

• Monitor the security situation and provide an independent and comprehensive analysis to identify trends that may impact the security of UNFPA personnel and their eligible family members, assets including premises, and UNFPA programmes. 
• Supervise, evaluate, and review security activities in support of UNFPA operations and participate, coordinate, and/or undertake security risk assessment for all locations where UNFPA personnel and programmes are present. 
• Ensure that UNFPA personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and actions to take in the event of an emergency as details in the UN Security Plan.  Oversee the establishment of an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNFPA that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System. 
• Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure that all UNFPA personnel undertake mandatory learning events including security briefings and participate in all security-related contingency exercises.  Assist UNDSS with mandatory training ensuring participation of UNFPA personnel. 
• Provide technical advice on the selection and procurement of security equipment identified as security risk management measures or as part of the Business Continuity Plan, such as telecommunication equipment, Personal Protective Equipment, and armored vehicles. 

Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establish contact and maintain networks with all UN Security Management System and NGO/INGO security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.  Ensure that security collaboration with NGO/INGOs working as UNFPA implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework.

Any Other Duties

• Perform any other duties as required by the Representative, or the Office of the Security Coordinator.

Qualifications and Experience 

Education: 

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields: Security Risk Management, International Relations, Business Administration, Political/Social Science, Psychology, Military Science, Law Enforcement, or similar fields. 
• In the absense of an advanced university degree, a first-level university degree (bachelors or equivilent) may be considered in combination with an additional four years of relevant experience over and above the minimum required years (i.e. a total of 9)

Knowledge and Experience: 

• At least 5 years of experience in a relevant field. Demonstrated ability to work closely with UN counterparts, government officials, Implementing Partners, NGOs and any other multi-lateral institutions. 
• Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable. 
• Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset.

Languages: 

• Proficiency in English is required.  Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.   

Required Competencies