Job Description

This position is located in the Humanitarian Access and Civil-Military Coordination Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.

Somalia’s prolonged humanitarian crisis is characterized by ongoing conflicts, climate shocks including floods and drought, communicable disease outbreaks, weak social protection and insecurity. In 2022, the situation in Somalia remains fragile with continued political instability and severe drought. OCHA’s role is to coordinate effective and principled inter-agency humanitarian response and ensure that relief assistance reaches the people who need it in a timely manner. In line with OCHA’s global mission, OCHA Somalia continues to mobilize and coordinate an effective and principled inter-agency humanitarian response.

This job opening is being advertised for the position of Field Secuiryt Officer located in the OCHA Office in Mogadishu, Somalia. Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head of Office, the Field Secuirty Officer reports to the Head of unit and HAO Access Officer.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

Within delegated authority, the Field Security Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1) the FSO will assists the OCHA head of the Humanitarian Access and Civil-Military Coordination Unit (HACU) in collecting, updating and communicating information regarding the security situation in the country and maintaining the Security Plan, including updating staff lists and the WARDEN system for nationals and internationals;

• Liaises and coordinates, as appropriate, with host government security organizations and/or personnel, including national and local provincial authorities, military, and police officers, as well as with UNDSS and non-governmental organizations and other non-State actors in the area of Operation;
• Helps to assess the security situation at the duty station and ensures adequate gathering, verification and classification of security information that may be required for a proper analysis of the situation by the OCHA SFP;
• Communicates information on security to OCHA management and SFP and provides host country security advice as required;
• Maintains regular contacts with Security Focal Points of other UN agencies and other security/military stakeholders including but not limited to AUSSOM and local authorities
• when needed, requested to provide technical assistance to OCHA Head of Office, Deputy Head of Office or OCHA SFP in support of UNSMS meetings. 
• Helps in the preparation and review of Security Plans, SRMS, and security SOPs;
• Supports actions during the implementation of the Security Plan, as required.

2) Supports the OCHA SFP with ensuring OCHA meets Minimum Operational Security Standards (MOSS) for the duty station and assists in reporting security incidents affecting UN staff, offices and assets;

• Assists with the compilation of data required for the MOSS Self-Assessment Programme.
• Assists in ensuring all UNOCHA personnel have completed the SSAFE requirements and other security-related courses according to MOSS.
• Assists in monitoring the procurement, deployment and functionality of all security equipment, and alerts proactively and in a timely manner on measures that are required to upgrade, update, or expand it;
• Assists in ensuring that UNOCHA personnel, offices, accommodations and equipment are MOSS compliant and that MOSS procedures are also adhered to when on field mission;
• In coordination with UNDSS, contributes to the preparation of security reports, such as the Security Incident Report, the Security Assessments and the Quarterly Incident Report, maintaining the conflict database.
• Maintain up-to-date staff presence locally and also through the UNDSS online Footprint Database.

3) Organizes and delivers training courses on security awareness and preparedness.

• Provides support in organizing and conducting training courses on security awareness and preparedness.
• Prepare security briefings and keep them up to date with changes 
• Provide security orientation and conduct security briefings to newly assigned staff members as required;

4) Provides security support for Field Missions including the development of CONOPS and Ad Hoc SRMs.

• Provide and develop CONOPS and Minor Airfield Clearances and keep a record of mission status;
• Assists in developing and reviewing SRMs and Ad hoc SRMs;
• Accompanies and provides support to missions on the ground.

5) Assists in ensuring residential (Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards – MORSS) and office safety, and security preparedness, and provides general administrative assistance to the OCHA SFPL

• Contributes to routine and confidential correspondence files/documents;
• Maintains a database of contact details in relation to host country security authorities;
• Arranges appointments, receives visitors, places and screens telephone calls and answers queries with discretion, and takes minutes and/or notes at meetings.
• Conducts security evaluations and provides advice on security measures for the residences (Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards - MORSS) of UN staff, as well as on the latest trends and threats to staff safety and security;
• Establishes and helps maintain warden system and keeps updated on information related to UN offices and residences;
• Where relevant maintains liaison with commercial companies used for UN security at offices and residences, in order to ensure the effective and efficient use of the guard force.

Experiences and Qualifications

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of humanitarian response, public information, and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes, and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design,n and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources.      Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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.
• 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• PLANNING and ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• 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.

Education:

• Advanced University degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in  political science, Military Studies, Security Management, International Relations, Risk Management, Political/Social Science  or a related field is required. 

OR

• University (Bachelor's degree) degree or equivalent in Political/Social Science, Military Studies, Security Management, International Relations, Risk Management, or a relevant field combined with two (2) years of relevant work experience at the National or International level may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience : 

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Political/Social Science, Military Studies, Security Management, International Relations, Risk Management, or a relevant field, are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Political/Social Science, Military Studies, Security Management, International Relations, Risk Management, or a relevant, are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in security Management at the national or international level (preferably in the police or military context or related area of working experience is required. 
• Demonstrate experience in understanding the local security context, dynamics, and cultural sensitivities in the area of Operation is required 
• Familiarity with UN/International NGO security standards, policies, and protocols applicable to humanitarian operations like Tetras, HF, and VHF radios operation, SRMs, CONOPS, and wardens is desirable.
• Prior experience with the UN system or an international NGO is desirable.
• Knowledge of security risk management and information is desirable

Language :

• Fluency in written and spoken English Language is required.
• Fluency in written and spoken Somali language - is required.

Other

• Experience in diplomatic security, protection, and intelligence is considered an asset; 
• Knowledge of host country safety codes;
• Solid computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint); 

Skills Required

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