Security Operations Centre Assistant

Background

The overall mandate of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is to provide leadership, operational support, and oversight of the security management system to enable the safest and most efficient conduct of the programs and activities of the United Nations System. 

UNDSS facilitates the operations of United Nations agencies, funds, programmes, organizations, and its implementing partners in Sudan through the delivery of security and safety services. UNDSS Headquarters is located in New York. The Department has operations in more than one hundred countries. 

The Remote Security Operations Centre (RSOC) is part of UN security system. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief Security Adviser (CSA) or the Deputy Security Adviser (DSA), the RSOC will collate all security-related incidents that cause disruption to the function of UN operations or adversely affect the safety and security UN staff and their dependents and the humanitarian cause, such as any emergency or crisis, including political, act of criminal activity, terrorism, natural disaster, and pandemics that at times can strike randomly with little or no prior warning. Though such events cannot be completely prevented, effective contingency planning may substantially lessen the loss of life, serious injuries, and damage to UN property. RSOC functions as a mitigating measure. 

RSOC is to provide the services required under SRM recommendations and Area Security Plans among others. It was established as per the mandate of UNDSS and following a proposal made in collaboration with the local ICT team and inter-agency partners to create RSOC for Sudan, in line with the global UN Telecommunications Security Standards service (TESS+). 

The primary responsibility of the UNDSS SOC Assistant is to minimize the risk of the UNSMS operating in hazardous areas and conditions and to implement area Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM) in all designated areas. Under the supervision of the Field Security Coordination Officer, the SOC Assistant will perform their daily duty and provide a quick response in case of an emergency.

The incumbent will have regular travel to other SOC locations throughout Sudan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

The functions of the Security Operations Centre (SOC) Assistant include the following:

1- Coordinate the work of the SOC Assistants:

• Coordinates the shift system to ensure effective coverage hours as defined in SRMM, or as applicable, taking into consideration coverage during absences of personnel or where additional support is required during an emergency. 
• In coordination with the most senior security professional, ensures SOC assistants are trained and capable of delivering services at the expected level. Ensure regular refresher training is provided, as and when required. This must also include SOPs and training components related to supporting gender-based security incidents, initial actions and response to same, and handling of sensitive information cognisant of confidentiality requirements.
• Oversees the monitoring of the movement of field missions, in accordance with the identified measures from the security risk management (SRM) process and appropriate local standard operating procedures (SOPs).

2- Coordinate daily operations of the SOC:

• Supervises the operations of VHF and HF radio network to receive dispatch and relay messages as required, operating professionally using UN standard telecommunications facilities.
• Maintains regular communication with staff in the field and HQ, utilizing HF /VHF /Sat phone or any other forms of telecommunication’s equipment and methods at disposal.
• Makes sure during the tour of duty to type, distribute and respond by a variety of means – email, messenger etc. and logs accurately all incoming/outgoing radio/telephone messages to concerned personnel.
• On receipt of notifications of security incidents or observations of security incidents through public media, escalates these through the appropriate and defined channels for follow-up and support and notifies the most senior security professional and the respective UNSMS organization or NGO security focal points when their personnel are involved in a security incident.

3- Ensure information-sharing via all appropriate channels:

• Based on the local SOPs, contacts external security services to support UNSMS and NGO personnel who are involved in security incidents.
• Answers all calls, whether on radio or telephone, promptly and efficiently, advising all concerned staff members of important incoming radio messages.

4- Manage information:

• Implements standard UN Call-sign systems, vehicle tracking procedures and Standard Operating Procedures in all SOCs.
• Ensures SOCs are equipped with appropriate up-to-date documentation and maintains accurate and up-to-date contact and residence details of all UNSMS personnel, including wardens (and, if applicable, contact details of NGO and implementing partners), and contact details of premises and vehicles.
• Provides clear reports on all roster, staff list, Sat phone list, radio coverage as well as all of the above.

5- Monitor the use of the Security Communication System and its status:

• Implements standard UN Call-sign systems, vehicle tracking procedures and Standard Operating Procedures in all SOCs.
• Maintains properly all radio networks, communications equipment at user level, reporting problems in timely manner to relevant staff.
• Analyses the communications requirements, recommends new system and / or enhancements in the functionality of the existing system. 
• Provides basic technical support for communications equipment in the field.
• Responsible for daily routine service checks of all equipment maintained by the SOC and logging the serviceability status; reports any problem observed to the appropriate authority and notifies affected users in a timely manner.

6- Perform other duties:

• Trains UN’s implementing partners on a per need basis and as time permits.
• Works closely with other agencies telecom's services. 
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The SOC Assistant works under the supervision of the Chief Security Adviser or his deputy and the Field Security Coordination Officer.

Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL l: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity and uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL l: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL l: Appreciates/respects differences, aware of unconscious bias, confronts discrimination

Cross-functional & Technical competencies

Business management:

Digital Awareness and Literacy

Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Customer Satisfaction/ Client Management

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfill and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Security Services :

Security Incident Management & Monitoring

Ability to provide adequate response to security incidents/events

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required. 
• University degree (bachelor’s or master’s equivalent) in Political Science, Military Studies, Security Management, Management or a relevant field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement. 
• Applicable security, police and/or military training is desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years (with secondary education) and 2 years (with a Bachelor`s degree) of experience working in the field of radio room/SOC operations.

Required skills:

• Knowledge of the land, mobile, and aeronautical international radio procedures.
• Excellent knowledge of Codan HF, and Motorola VHF system, knowledge of selective calling and SELV, and programming of the same. 
• Experience supervising teams, including overseeing implementation of work plans and providing feedback on performance for individual team members.
• Experience training individuals and groups.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Certificate or country-specific licensure in radio telecommunications.
• Knowledge of hardware installation and maintenance. 
• Previous UN experience.
• Proficient in operating HF and VHF radios.
• Familiarity with the host country’s safety regulations.
• Holds a valid driver’s lenience.

Required language(s):

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.