Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), as part of UNDSS Integrated Security Workforce, in Mogadishu. The Assistant Security Officer reports to the Head of a Security Unit, under the overall supervision of Chief Security Officer (CSO).
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Assistant Security Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Prepares draft of security plan for the mission, designated county or geographic area, including all aspects related to elaboration, development, and implementation and updating of the plan.
• Establishes and maintains close relations with host country security agencies and acts as liaison between the senior security professional and the host country services.
• Serves as a member of the United Nations Security Cell, contributing to the implementation and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the security plan.
• Assesses prevailing local security conditions, identifying security trends and advising UN staff, project personnel and dependents on potential security problems, such as mines, kidnapping, armed attacks, arrest and detention.
• Supports the ongoing evaluation of air, land and sea evacuation routes and resources for use in emergencies ensuring the availability of vehicles, aircraft, vessels, fuel supply and assessable roads.
• Ensures that fire detection devices and fire-fighting equipment are available on the premises. Maintains fire evacuation plan and conducts fire drills and training as necessary.
• Supports office security by conducting physical security inspections of facilities, issuance of identity cards, if possible, background checks and entry control.
• Provides advice and training to staff and dependents on residential security measures such as window guards, alarm systems and locks to minimize burglar intrusions.
• Maintain dialog with authorities and international institutions such as Red Cross/Red Crescent in the event of natural disasters.
• Supports the investigation of accidents involving UN vehicles and prepares report of findings.
• Supports the investigation of security-related incidents involving UN staff members, project personnel or eligible dependent.
• Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism:
Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Communication:
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Education
First level university degree on security management, information management or business administration, political/social sciences, or international relations with focus on security management. Formal certification training in a recognized military or police academy or college in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of a first level university degree.
Work Experience
Minimum of two (2) years of progressive responsible experience in military, police or security management, preferably in the police or military context or related area is required.
Experience in investigations is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Somali (both in oral and written) is required.
NOTE: “Fluency” equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, and understand), and “knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Therefore, this position is funded for an initial period of one year. An extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval.
Recruitment against this position is on a local basis. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF SOMALIA ONLY. The National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to assume the appointment.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted, and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the Hiring Manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity among its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Interested applicants who are working with UN Contractors must fulfill the obligations of their contracts with the UN Contractors in order to be eligible to apply for this vacancy.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.
Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
