The Assistant Field Security Officer supports and undertakes activities pertaining to workforce security and security for persons of concern. The incumbent supports and provides guidance in all security-related aspects of the operation.

The incumbent is supervised by a senior officer who defines the work objectives and provides general guidance. The incumbent may provide input to the supervision of general service staff in the office.

All UNHCR staff members 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, staff members 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

Support the Representative or the Head of Office in managing the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, partners, operations, and premises.
Support in the development of security risk management processes in close cooperation with UNHCR managers, UNDSS and the security cell, identifying the appropriate security risk management measures and monitoring compliance of same.
Assist in the development of security plans for evacuation/relocation, medical evacuation, and other security contingencies.
In cooperation with UNHCR senior personnel, assist in ensuring that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
Respond to personnel queries on security issues and provide immediate assistance or security-related advice as required.
As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of forcibly displaced and stateless people.
Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including host government law enforcement authorities, the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and partner agencies.
Support UNHCR management as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT) or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), and Area Security Coordinators (ASC).
Provide country-relevant security advice and training to UNHCR personnel and, where appropriate, to personnel of NGOs and operational partners.
Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that personnel are familiar with security contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency, including for Wardens.
Prepare periodic reports and incident reports on security in accordance with UNSMS and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and, as appropriate, regional security coordinators and the Field Security Service.
Maintain linkages with the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
Contribute to a person-centered approach to all aspects of UNHCR security risk management, ensuring inclusion of the diverse personal profiles of personnel and the development of appropriate support and measures.
Undertake other security-related duties as determined by the supervisor.
Understand all required security learning and training and ensure that changes in security policies and processes are effectively communicated to personnel.
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

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P1/NOA - 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Security Management Risk Management; Political Science;

International Relations; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program; First Aid Training;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified.

Desirable

Experience in having established working networks with law enforcement and other security actors.

Functional Skills

FS-Security Planning

FS-Security Analysis

CO-Drafting and Documentation

IT-Computer Literacy

(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.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Planning and Organizing

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

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.

Desired Candidate Profile

The overall situation in Iraq has improved significantly since the conclusion of large-scale military operations against Da’esh in 2017. However, the security situation remains volatile and the economic situation fragile. The country generously hosts some 300,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, mostly Kurdish Syrians (over 270,000), the majority of whom live in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I). The refugees have limited prospects for return in the immediate future given the insecurity and ongoing human rights and humanitarian law violations and abuse, particularly in North-East Syria from where most refugees originate. In the 2023 return intention survey conducted by UNHCR, 94% of Syrian refugees in Iraq indicated that they did not intend to return in the next 12 months. When asked about their reasons, the majority noted concerns about the lack of safety and security, and the lack of livelihood opportunities in Syria. Other important concerns included inadequate basic services, the lack of suitable housing and risk of conscription.

Iraq also has over 1 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), of whom some 160,000 live in 23 IDP camps in the KR-I. IDPs report insecurity, limited access to public services, such as education, health or even water and electricity, lack of livelihood opportunities and financial resources, combined with damaged housing in areas of origin and, for some of them, Sunni Arabs in particular, perceived affiliation with extremist groups as the main barriers to return. The remaining needs of forcibly displaced populations in Iraq are largely driven by socio-economic factors, human rights deficits and the absence of the rule of law – and not anymore by their displacement status – which are addressed more effectively through sustainable development approaches. In view of this, UNHCR and partners transitioned in 2023 from a humanitarian response to a development-focused approach. This entails strengthening national ownership and capacity for public service providers to deliver protection and other services, advocating for increased access of refugees and IDPs to public services, and promoting refugee inclusion in social protection programmes and improving refugees’ access to labour markets and livelihood opportunities.

The desired candidate profile for this role is listed below:

1) UN/HCR and/or INGO security experience at a senior/managerial level would be a distinct advantage. 2) Prior knowledge of security operations, offering technical guidance and working with a security team in Iraq is highly desirable. 3) Candidate needs a good understanding of security planning and management, plus proactive analysis and assessment of risks and developing trends, in order to support senior managers to make informed decisions on mitigation measures. 4) Demonstrated ability to advise colleagues and partners on security risks and mitigation measures to support secure operational delivery in a way that non-security personnel can easily understand. 5) Proven experience in establishing an effective network of contacts (both security, non-security and government counterparts) to ensure security support in a complex environment. 6) Proven ability to think creatively when juggling multiple high priority tasks/projects and taking the initiative to develop and implement or review and update relevant policies, documents, and SOP’s. 7) Willingness to respond to security emergencies at any time of the day or night.

SCP or LSA/FSA training is highly desirable. The applicant must have the right to work in Iraq.

Important notes: - When completing the application, candidates are required to list all of their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 ("Basic User"), B1/B2 ("Independent User"), and C1/C2 ("Proficient User") - Shortlisted candidates will be required to undergo functional clearance and a possible eliminatory written test. only successful candidates will be invited for the interview.Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

English,

Kurdish,

Desired languages

Arabic,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, FS-Security Analysis, FS-Security Planning, IT-Computer LiteracyEducation

Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Risk Management, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Security ManagementCertifications

First Aid Training - Other, Security Management Learning Program - OtherWork Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaborationUNHCR Salary Calculator

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