Field Security Specialist

Background

In the last 3 years Haiti has experienced a series of overlapping and complex crises. The earthquake in the south was the latest event in a series: the security and political crisis in July 2018 and security lock-down for 3 months in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, the deterioration of security conditions due to the increase of gang activity that has affected 1.5 million people and displaced 19,000 people since June 2021, a persistent economic crisis and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. The combined effects of these disasters, pre-existing needs, an ongoing political crisis, socio-economic challenges and increasing violence are significantly worsening an already complex humanitarian scenario. Prior to the current political crisis and the earthquake, the humanitarian needs overview analysis in Haiti revealed that more than 4.4 million Haitians, or about 40% of the population, would require humanitarian assistance in 2021. Of these, 3.5 million (approximately 40%) would also present multidimensional vulnerabilities.

UNDP Haiti has a consistent and trusted reputation with development partners as well as national authorities. The office is well positioned to offer its agile programming capacity, institutional impartiality and field presence provide a wide network of technical expertise. UNDP Haiti has been able to both address short term crisis as well as supporting national partners to identify and implement longer-term development solutions in Haiti. The current UNDP Haiti CPD 2017-2021 focuses on three areas of cooperation: (I) democratic governance and the rule of law; (ii) poverty reduction; and (iii)resilience (disaster risk management and the environment). The program is in line with the national priorities as set out in the PSDH (Plan Stratégique et de Développement d’Haïti), the UNDAF and the UNDP Strategic Plan. UNDP Haiti has over 200 personnel spread across several offices and departments. In order to support the implementation of UNDP’s programme in Haiti, it has a sizeable operational footprint and the obligation to ensure the safety and security of its personnel via its Security Unit.

The duties and responsibilities of the Field Security Specialist (FSS) include the safety and security of all UNDP staff, eligible dependents, eligible partners and contractors, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects in addition to promoting, enabling and supporting UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility while ensuring compliance with all United Nations security policies, procedures and regulations.

The primary objective of the deployment of the UNDP Field Security Specialist is to advise on the protection of, and minimizing the risk to, UNDP staff, eligible dependants, property and operations in all locations and at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility. This will be achieved through:

Advising that UNDP security support feature in the programming process at the country office level as well as in the case of each individual project, from project identification, planning, budgeting, implementation and right through to monitoring and evaluation.

Strengthening the security arrangements of UNDP and maintaining a security network of international and national security personnel.

At Country Level, the Field Security Specialist will be directly tasked and supervised by the Resident Representative or his/her designate who will serve as the primary supervisor.

In terms of functional matters related to UNDP security, the FSS will report to the UNDP Security Office through the Regional Security Advisor (RSA) who will serve as the secondary supervisor and provide policy and technical advice to the UNDP FSS regarding the safety and security of UNDP staff, eligible dependents, property and operations within the context of UNDP’s development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UNDSS’s mandate and role, and working within the UN and UNDP security policy and framework.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programming

Provide security policy guidance and security management support to the Resident Representative and CO management team enabling effective programme planning, implementation and delivery within the framework of all UN security policies and procedures.
Ensure the mainstreaming of security into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects and programmes providing innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions where required. In the absence of RSA or Sr. FSS, serves as permanent member of project appraisal committee (PAC).
Review the impact of current as well as future potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery, as well as the possible impact that programme design might have on the stability and security, ensuring that possible support needs are identified and improvements are implemented.
Liaise and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority.
To protect and minimize the risk to UNDP staff, project personnel, property and operations in all locations and, at the same time, enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout:
Maintain a security network of international and national personnel;
Participate as a member of the security cell established by DSS in country.

Threat and Risk Assessment

Conduct a threat and risk/security assessments of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented, identify and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures.
Assist/provide inputs to UNDSS in preparing a comprehensive threat and risk/security assessment of the country to include all locations where UNDP staffs, dependants and equipment are present.
Assist/provide inputs to the Security Management Team through the UNDP Resident Representative (RR).
Assist local UNDP managers with decision-making related to air travel

Security Plan and Business Continuity

Work closely with UNDSS to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework.
Provide inputs and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating the country specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with Security Policy Manual and Security Framework of Accountability
See that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the respective duty stations, (including UNDP sub offices) being prepared by UNDSS.
Update the UNDP component within the country-specific security plan and contingency plans in accordance with UNDSS.
Train UNDP wardens and follow up on their specific needs accordingly for both international and national personnel.
Provide security related contributions to the CO Business Continuity Plan, with guidance from the RSA/SRSS.
Facilitate security clearances for all UNDP staff travelling in areas where required.

Minimum Operating Security Standards

Oversight of UNDP programmes, personnel and assets for compliance to approved SRM mitigation measures (MOSS).
Complete the annual UNDP Security Compliance Survey (SCS)
Ensure that Country Office management is briefed sufficiently on security requirements in order to take decisions and provide adequate resources so that personnel are provided with; and proficient in the use of, safety and security equipment, including communications equipment, vehicle emergency equipment and personal security safeguards required for work in the field.
Establish internal communication systems so that UNDP communications are integrated into the appropriate UN Security Communications System.
Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate equipment for security (vehicles, telecommunications equipment, etc.).
Provide advice on the security of transportation and logistics.
Provide orientation and training to international and national personnel on security guidelines, communication procedures, travel precautions, emergency procedures and existing restrictions in movement, such as curfews, restricted and dangerous areas.
Coordinate with DSS 24-hour response to all security related incidents involving UNDP personnel and eligible dependents.
In coordination with UNDSS, and on behalf of the RR, ensure appropriate professional liaison with local authorities responsible for security, law and order, counterparts in diplomatic missions and municipal/civic/religious and community leaders.

Information Management

Provide timely and accurate security advice to the UNDP Management, programme managers, project managers and visiting consultants.
Immediately report all security -related incidents involving UNDP personnel and eligible dependents to the RR, RSA/SRSS (or Sr. FSS, if present in the duty station) and UNDSS in country.

Ensure that UNDP programme personnel are provided with situation reports and other appropriate security-related information generated by UNDSS in a timely and efficient manner.
In cooperation with the HR unit, maintain updated UNDP staff lists, including details of visiting missions and consultants.
In coordination with UNDSS in country, establish good relationships with national law enforcement, military and civil intelligence authorities, counterparts in the Diplomatic Missions and municipal/civic/traditional leaders.
Encourage an exchange of information relative to risk management for UNDP programme implementation.
In coordination with UNDSS in country, support investigations of death of a staff/family member under suspicious and unclear circumstances.
Participate in inter-agency security coordination efforts.
In coordination with UNDP HQ and as assigned by the RR, conduct preliminary fact finding in cases of breach of UN code of conduct by UNDP personnel.

Funds Management

Support mainstreaming of security costs into country projects/programmes. Monitors that all projects/programmes contribute resources to implementation of security measures.
Formulate and manage the annual work plan and related budget for security related projects, initiates budget revisions.
Monitor that allotted UNMSM funds are budgeted in ATLAS in a timely fashion.
Ensure that costs and expenditures remain within budgeted and approved limits through the monitoring of monthly ATLAS budget reports.

Resource Mobilization

Ensure that the security costs are included in all appeals and project descriptions.
Participate in the drafting of project proposals and, to be presented to donors (as required).
Provide inputs to donor reports, as required.

Office and Residential Security

Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions.
Assist UNDP in developing and implementing office security requirements for regional (regional or sub-) offices and offices of UNDP-implemented projects.
Establish and implement access control mechanisms (visitor/vehicle screening) as necessary for UNDP and project offices based on the security level.
Represent UNDP security interests in any common premises that UNDP occupies ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations.
Ensure that UNDP premises and international staff residences are SRM and RSM compliant.

General

The FSS will, in consultation with the RR, respond to requests from the DO/DSS, to perform UN system related security tasks.
Any other security related tasks assigned by the UNDP RR.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 4: Prioritize team workflow, mobilize resources, drive scalable results/strategic impact

Think Innovatively:

Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems

Learn Continuously:

Create systems and processes that enable learning and development for all

Adapt with Agility

Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands

Act with Determination

Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner

Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion

Create ethical culture, identify/address barriers to inclusion

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Human-centered Design

Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process

Risk Management

Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks

Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Security advice, planning and coordination

Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities

Security crisis management & response

Knowledge of crisis management and response arrangements as well as the ability to prepare for, respond to, support/manage security crisis events

Security policy awareness & implementation

Knowledge of security policy concepts and ability to apply to strategic and/or practical situations

Required Skills and Experience

Education

University Degree (Master’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent) in Security Management or a related security field, or formal multi-year education in Security Management, such as military or police, Junior Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full time) qualification with command experience.
Formal training in security risk management.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

A minimum of 7 years of relevant security related experience (5 years if applicant is in possession of an Advanced University Degree in a relevant security field). Formal multi-year education in Security Management, such as military or police, Junior Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full time) qualification, with command experience at senior level, is considered equivalent to an Advanced University Degree.
Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment for minimum two years is desirable.
In-depth knowledge of security management and risk management.
Knowledge of UN/UNDP business, operations and programming cycle.
Knowledge of UNDP Country Office structure; roles and responsibilities of the Resident Coordinator, RR, DO, SMT, UNDSS and UN Security management System.
Fluency in written and spoken English and French is required.