Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located at OHCHR Syria Country Office in Damascus. The security coordination officer reports directly to the OHCHR country representative for Syria, and to the Chief Security officer in Geneva Headquarters. Functional responsibility for security rests with the OHCHR Head of Office supported by the OHCHR Safety and Security Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Security Coordination Officer may be responsible for the following duties: • Advises the Head of Syria Country Office about all security and related matters and develops tactics, techniques and procedures in accordance with the provisions of the UN Security Management System for the safe conduct of OHCHR operations in the country of assignment. • Whereas required, accompanies staff members to the field as a part of special activity such as monitoring missions, Commissions of Inquiry and Investigation missions as a risk management-based security solution. • Maintains an ongoing evaluation of air, land and sea evacuation routes and resources for use in emergencies, in coordination with UNDSS, considering the availability of vehicles, aircraft, vessels, fuel supply and accessible roads and Ensures availability of emergency communications system by making periodic checks to determine if system is functioning properly; arranges for necessary repairs or adjustments in line with the assessed prevailing the local security conditions. • Investigates security-related incidents and accidents involving OHCHR personnel and properties and prepares report of findings. • Supports the development of risk management strategies and drives planning using situational awareness, critical thinking, and logic to detect and interpret early signals, emerging trends and analysis of multi-dimensional threats that may impact security. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. • Prepares, reviews, implements, and supports security planning, security risk management documents and risk management-based security solutions through innovation and creativity. Provides written analysis of security trends and reporting of incidents. Participates in meetings, committees, and task forces, prepares papers on security issues, delivers briefings provides responses, as needed. • Advises on, and supports, the inclusion of security in all stages of United Nations activities and programmes. Provides advice and support to line managers responsible for security. Enables the delivery of mandates and programmes through direct operational assistance. Supports and collaborates with relevant parties, building consensus to ensure alignment and support for security operations and initiatives to best enable UN activities. • Supports the management of security-related projects, prioritizing work to meet deadlines and following defined processes, policies, procedures and guidance, fostering alignment with colleagues and across organizations. • Monitors and contributes to activities that relate to the implementation and evaluation of security preparedness and compliance; drives results that help support efficiency and effectiveness of operations. • Enhances communication and trust through active collaboration, consultation and exchanges with agencies, funds, and programmes and other stakeholders, for information sharing, coordination of responses, provision of security briefings, taking into account operational activities and risks. • Collaborates closely with peers and colleagues, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, and Host Government representatives with a view to understanding what the UN is trying to achieve, obtaining the best security support, and staying abreast of existing and emerging threats and how they may impact United Nations System activities, personnel, dependents, premises, residences, and property. • Strengthens awareness and capacity of relevant personnel by supporting the development, updates and delivery of contextually relevant security training and advice. • Conducts security surveys and assessments, creatively leveraging tools and processes, identifying and recommending the most simple, reasonable, effective and efficient security measures, including when there is incomplete, contradictory and/or fluid information. • Prepares draft of security plan for the Country Office and operations in the designated country, including all aspects related to elaboration, development, implementation and updating of the plan. • Supports organizational resilience and contingency planning, crisis decision-making, and the development of disaster recovery and business continuity plans, by providing information and analysis including situational monitoring and updates. Assists with internally relocating personnel and assets in a conflict zone or supporting the development and implementation of evacuation plans from a country. • Provides support to establishing and maintaining a functioning Security Communication System. • Liaise Security entities as needed including but not limited to OHCHR Security Section at the HQ, SIOC in Beirut, UNDSS in Syria, etc • Actively implements departmental approaches to mainstreaming gender, diversity and inclusion into all aspects of the work as well as ensuring the implementation of people-centred security risk management approaches considering specific threats or vulnerabilities of personnel and adapting practices and measures in support of diversity and inclusion. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Liaise with local security companies when needed. • Maintains all OHCHR offices security by conducting physical security inspections of facilities, issuance of identity cards, if possible, background checks, and entry control. • Conducts security training in such subjects as the security management system, responsibilities of Area Coordinators and Wardens and personal security awareness. • Performs other functions as directed by the HoO.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of security management combined with solid background of military or other security specialization and some political and social knowledge of country of assignment. Ability to deal effectively with stress factor when encountered in security management. Ability to apply technical skills to understand and consolidate the varying specializations such as electronics, communications, mechanics, explosives and other sophisticated devices encountered in security system management. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, political/social science, psychology, criminal justice, law, international relations, security management or a related field is required. A relevant first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

A police or military degree is desirable. Security Certificate Program (SCP) is required.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, disarmament affairs, conflict resolution, crime or terrorism prevention, security, risk or disaster or emergency management and preparedness in the public or private sector areas responsible for responding to emergency situations that directly impact security is required Experience in planning, design, implementation, or review of risk mitigation measures related to operations impacted by insecurity is desirable. Working experience in field operations is desirable. Experience conducting security operations for Human Rights programs is desirable. Out of the five (5) years, at least three (3) years of experience working with the UNSMS is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Candidate selected will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTAlimited”) in accordance with section 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on Administration of fixed-term appointments. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10, who are selected for a position subject to FTA-limited will be reassigned to the position without a lien to their parent position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.