A Multi - Country Security Specialist Consultant, SSA, Cotonou/Benin, 6 months

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, [insert tagline]

In the Sahel, the overall security situation remains unstable and volatile. The risk of continued conflict spilling over into neighboring countries around the Gulf Guinea, including Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, and Togo. The area is a tinderbox with the capability of generating a security crisis across West Africa. The security environment remains unpredictable with possible impact on UNICEF operations. This is a risk UNICEF should be concerned about.

Thus, the Multi-Country Security Consultancy position has been created and based in UNICEF Benin, Country Office for the purpose of advising the Representatives of the Countries of Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo on their security duties and responsibilities in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.

How can you make a difference?

Under the supervision of the Benin CO Representative and the close working relationship with the Representatives of Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo, the consultant contributes to the UNICEF mandate through strong security risk analysis, advice, and relevant mitigation. The incumbent manages, on behalf of the Representatives, all security activities in support of the countries. In coordination with an eventual Local Security Advisor and the Regional Security Coordinator, contributes to the development of assessments, procedures, and guidelines including Security Risk Assessments (SRAs), Country Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS), and the countries specific Security Plan.

1. Security Risk Management and Planning

• Assess and evaluate the levels of preparedness of the security situation and advise the Representatives in the execution of their duties with regards to the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems. Attend as an observer (whereas possible), SMT/ASMT 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.

• Identify areas of improvement and engage with UNDSS to ensure that SRM and associated actions are reflecting realities and being implemented.

• Review and update UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provide the Representatives, with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines. This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).

2. Safety and Security Services

• Monitor the security situation and provide independent and comprehensive security analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the safety and security of UNICEF personnel, eligible family members, premises, assets, and resources.

• Advice on the implementation of security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participate, coordinate and/or undertake security risk management for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.

• Provide briefings, advice and assistance to all UNICEF personnel and dependents in Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and in line with the current security policy.

• Conduct security related training for UNICEF personnel where and when required.

3. Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Liaise with local authorities, partners, and other UN agencies to contribute to a coherent approach to security risk management.

• Ensure that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.

• Any other task as required.

The Multi country Security Specialist will be based in Cotonou with travels to all country offices and project sites.

Planning, Follow Up and Evaluation

• The Consultant will submit a monthly plan draft and in consultation with all country offices.

• Submission of monthly report about the consultation. This report shall include all the activities performed by the consultant and the results of analysis.

• Production of a final report at the end of the consultation.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Security Risk Management, International Relations, Conflict Analysis, Intelligence Analysis, Diplomatic Studies, Conflict and Security, Counter Terrorism, or another relevant technical fields.
• A university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Fluency in French and English is required.
• Knowledge of the local language is an asset.
• A minimum of five years of professional experience in global security risk management and/or security analysis is required.
• Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable. Leadership experience in international and multicultural environments is highly desirable.

HOW to apply

The consultant shall submit his financial and technical offer when applying for this consultancy. Any incomplete file will not be considered.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. The candidate may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid).