WHE External Emergency Roster - Field Security Officer

Contract

This is a Multiple grade levels contract. More about Multiple grade levels contracts.

Purpose of the WHE External Emergency Roster

The purpose of the roster is to provide short-term support during acute events for a period of up to six (6) months which may be extended up to one year depending on operational needs. Placement on the roster entails a general commitment from the external candidate to deploy within 2 to 4 weeks from the time a request for availability is made.

Please note that opportunities exist at P3 and P4 levels.

Purpose of the Position

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), at the country level, the incumbent will provide security coverage for WHO staff, responders and operations with the framework of and in compliance with UNSMS policies and procedures, including conducting training for all WHO staff and responders, ensure secured environment for the implementation of the emergency operations in the country of assignment.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate Strategic Objective

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

Organizational context

Reporting the Head of WHO Country Office, under the guidance of the Incident Manager and respective Regional Security Officer, and in closed coordination with the Coordinator Security in Headquarters, the incumbent has the front line responsibility of preserving and maintaining the safety and security of WHO staff, teams and responders; to enable the implementation of WHO’s emergency incident management system across the country of assignment. This requires extensive contacts with staff and partners country-wide, providing advice, briefing and awareness, as well as ongoing contacts with Coordinator SEC, and relevant directors of administration and finance. Additionally, the work requires extensive contacts with UNDSS and other UN field security officers to exchange information and ensure mutual understanding, obtain and/or give assistance as related to security and related matters, as well as the national authorities.

Summary of Assigned Duties

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.

• Advise the Incident Manager and the Head of WHO Office with regard to maintaining the safety and security of WHO personnel, premises and assets in compliance with UNSMS and WHO Security Management Policies and Principles, monitor the implementation of the technical security measures outlined in the Security Plan, MOSS, and SOPs; ensure that the Country Office as well as the sub-offices have an acceptable level of MOSS compliance.
• Monitor the security situation across the county, coordinate and undertake security risk assessment for the Country Office as well as overall sub-offices and provide the Head of WHO Office with independent analysis of emerging security threats to WHO personnel, operations, premises and assets. Facilitate the implementation of recommended mitigating measures.
• Develop contingency plans and SOPs for the Country Office as well as for each sub-office, be instrumental in implementing the enhanced security measures; and ensure staff members are familiar and adhere with the related guidelines.
• Design, in cooperation with the data team and the field coordinators, an effective and practical system to track WHO staff and responders throughout the country of assignment; ensure that all field coordinators send, on daily basis, an updated list of staff, consultants, partners and dependents present at their respective field locations.
• In close coordination with Logistics team, ensure that all deployed staff and responders are provided with a mobile phone and a SIM card upon arrival, as well as hand-held radios where applicable, to enable establishing a SMS or other rapid alert systems to provide staff with relevant and real time information and updates about the prevailing security situation.
• Increase the security awareness and conduct training for all WHO staff and non-staff in accordance with WHO policies and UNSMS standards, provide briefing on radio communication, convoy, security and evacuation procedures and other security issues and precautions to be taken in compliance with the current measures prescribed by UNDSS and WHO.
• Maintain updated security information, prepare periodical situation reports ensuring that the Head of WHO Office and the UNDSS are kept regularly informed of security situation, drawing their attention to pitfalls, needs, unusual situations and problems, proposing remedial actions and improvements.
• Participate with the logistics team in identifying proper accommodations, with adequate security measures for all staff and responders, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• Ensure WHO's participation in the UN Security Cell. Establish contact with all relevant national authorities including national security agencies as appropriate.
• Supervise and guide the Local Security assistant(s).
• Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Competencies

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Producing results
• Teamwork
• Communication

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated technical skills to understand/consolidate varying specializations such as electronics, communications, mechanics, explosives and other sophisticated devices encountered in security system management.
• Tact, discretion and diplomacy.
• Good knowledge of WHO field security operations and the specificities of the operations conducted within the framework of an outbreak and health emergencies.

Education Qualifications

Essential

For P3 level:

First level university degree in police science, business administration, political/social sciences, psychology or international relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute, with focus on security management or equivalent in military or police academy degree or training.

For P4 level:

Advanced university degree in Police Science, Business Administration, Political/Social Science, Psychology or International Relations or related field from an accredited and recognized academic institution, with focus on security management or equivalent degree from military or police academy.

Experience

For P3 level:

Essential:

• At least five (5) years’ experience in security management, at the national and international levels.
• Some experience in training and guiding staff on security issues.

Desireable:

• Experience in field missions of WHO, the UN, health cluster partners or recognized humanitarian organization would be an advantage.
• Security management experience in developing countries would be an asset

For P4 level:

Essential:

• At least seven (7) years of relevant professional work experience in security management, at the national and international levels.
• Experience in training and guiding staff on security issues.

Desirable

• Experience in field missions of WHO/UN system, health cluster partners or humanitarian organizations.
• Security management experience in developing countries.

Use of Language Skills

• Excellent knowledge of English or French (depending on the country of assignment).
• Working knowledge of another WHO official language would be an asset.

Other Skills

Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

Additional Information

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice - https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant. WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
• This Vacancy Notice is open to external candidates, staff on temporary appointments, consultants and SSA holders who meet the minimum requirements of the position. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the position will be short listed and notified of the outcome of the selection process.
• Placement on the WHE External Emergency Roster does not guarantee a commitment from WHO to recruit or hire the candidate in emergency responses as this depends on the operational needs of the Organization.