JOB DESCRIPTION

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-23

August 8, 2025

Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Field Security Officer reports to the manager, who may be, according to context, the Representative/Chief of Mission or Head of Office within a country operation, the Senior Field Security Officer; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; the Head of Security Operations Unit at Headquarters, or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.

The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security, providing sound, well- reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.

The incumbent may directly supervise security personnel. The incumbent may, depending on the context, be expected to monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.

The Field Security Officer may be expected to travel on mission to multiple duty stations to provide advice and support to the local manager as agreed in mission terms of reference.

All UNHCR personnel 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, personnel 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

• Advise and support the manager on all aspects of security risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness with regard to maintaining the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, operations, and facilities.
• Participate in the development or update of the Security Risk Management (SRM) process for designated areas and undertake security risk assessments/ad hoc SRM analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
• Monitor compliance with standards established through the SRM process.
• Ensure person-centered approaches are included in the SRM processes and that Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) are appropriate. Develop and update all relevant tools and processes to respond to gender-based security incidents.

• Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contribute to the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) plans and planning for relocation/evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies, test plans in exercises or drills to ensure that personnel are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them effectively in an emergency.

• Ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
• Coordinate and assist in management of critical incidents and post-incident processes reporting to the manager, Senior Field Security Coordinator and FSS.
• As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
• Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including Host Government law enforcement authorities, the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UNSMS security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood.
• Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the country’s Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC), and Wardens actively participating in relevant security cell representing UNHCR.

• Provide country-relevant, security advice and training which is person-centered and gender inclusive to UNHCR personnel, and where feasible to staff of NGOs and Partners in areas In line with UNSMS and UNHCR standards. Coordinate training with security management training unit of the Global Learning Development Centre.
• Prepare periodic analytical reports on security issues in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and as relevant the Senior Field Security Coordinator in the region and Field Security Section (FSS).

• 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 P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Security;                                                          Security Management;                     Business Administration;                 

Political Science;                                            Social Science;                                 International Relations;                    

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program,                     Security Risk Management,                              Safety and security,

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable

Proven experience in security analysis, security management or security training. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working in or with humanitarian NGOs. Experience in implementing person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes. Relevant training (first aid, Women’s Security Awareness Training (WSAT), Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE), presentation skills, facilitation of training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience in  effectively handling gender-based security incidents. Experience in delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills

*FS-Security risk management

*FS-Field Security Operations

*FS-Security Planning

*FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management

FS-Crisis negotiation and ManagementFS-Security Analysis

(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

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

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.

The ideal candidate should be a proactive and flexible team leader with demonstrated expertise in managing emergency security situations in high-risk and complex environments. He/she should have a thorough understanding of United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) procedures and policies, and experience in humanitarian operations, preferably with UNHCR. He/she should possess strong competencies in security risk assessment, crisis preparedness, and the implementation of gender-inclusive security planning. He/she should have a proven ability to conduct in-depth analysis, deliver effective security briefings and training, and provide operationally relevant security advice. He/she should have a demonstrated ability to work closely with host government security actors, UN agencies, and interagency coordination platforms, with a solid track record of integrating security strategies into humanitarian programming, supporting field operations, and mentoring national staff. He/she should be well-versed in SRM processes, capable of managing critical incidents, and ensuring compliance with security standards while fostering a safe and enabling environment for personnel, operations, and affected populations.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The Field Security Officer (FSO) will be based in Mogadishu, where the UNHCR Representation Office is located, and will provide security coverage for UNHCR operations across Somalia. Under the direct supervision of the Representative, the FSO will be responsible for coordinating and delivering security management guidance, covering operational areas in both South-Central and Northern Somalia. The incumbent is expected to travel frequently to field locations to support UNHCR Sub-Offices, Field Offices, and Units by providing technical security advice, guidance, and actionable recommendations to ensure the safety and security of personnel, partners, and assets.

The FSO will maintain close coordination with UNDSS, government counterparts, and UN/INGO partners to facilitate a secure operating environment for UNHCR activities. The position is an active member of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) Security Cell in Mogadishu and serves as an observer in the UN Somalia Security Management Team (SMT).

Living and Working Conditions:

The UNHCR Somalia operation is complex in nature. Given the complexity of the crisis, the capability of UNHCR to provide assistance to the people in need in different areas of Somalia according to its mandate lies in its ability to adjust its response taking into account the different local realities which vary from one area to the other.

Mogadishu is Non-Family E- duty station with highly stressful work context where capacity for self-care is critical. Mogadishu has a relatively dry climate, and it is classified as hot and semi-arid.

UNHCR maintains its own compound inside the Mogadishu International Airport ATMIS Protected Area. The Compound consists of the Office Space and accommodation; both are made of prefab containers with overhead and side protection to mitigate the risk in indirect fire. Due to security restrictions UNHCR International staff in Mogadishu reside at the UNHCR compound. International Staff are restricted to live within AAIA. The accommodations have self-contained rooms. There is a canteen available at the compound serving meals three times a day at you own cost. More restaurants and dining facilities are available at the UNSOS and other UNDSS approved compounds across the AAIA ATMIS protected area. Movement within AAIA protected area is possible on foot and by car, curfews apply for night movement. There is a Gym available at the UNHCR compound. Other leisure and recreational facilities are very limited. Overnight stay in all other field locations is in UN approved guest houses apart from Hargeisa which is approved UNDSS hotel. Travel to the field locations is mainly through regular UN flights. No local banking facilities; but there is an ATM Machine where staff can withdraw USD using Visa / Master credit/debit cards. There are two Level I Hospitals within AAIA for basic and emergency health services. UN security structures in Somalia are robust and generally effective in managing risk. UNHCR ‘s posture is appropriate in its major offices, including three FSAs posts, but less assured in outlying areas where field or satellite offices are envisioned to be established.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FS-Crisis negotiation and Management, FS-Field Security Operations, FS-Security Analysis, FS-Security Planning, FS-Security Risk Management, FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Security, Bachelor of Arts: Security Management, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Safety and Security – Other, Security Management Learning Program – Other, Security Risk Management – Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance