Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Office/Unit/Project Description  

 A Security Operations Centre (SOC) is a cost-shared resource, established to support the safety and security of personnel, premises, assets and operations working for various organizations covered by the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS). The SOC monitors, facilitates and coordinates the communications of data and voice messages using the security communications system (SCS), within one or more operational areas.

Additionally, responsibilities can include maintaining administrative data supporting security communications, such as aggregating contact data for UNSMS personnel, offices, vehicles and emergency services.

This position will be supporting key functions and operations of the United Nations. The role of a SOC Assistant can be challenging and unpredictable as they may be required to respond and assist callers in need of immediate  assistance. They will have the responsibility to pass key information and instructions in a timely and calm manner to UNSMS personnel and others, as required. At times, the work will be fast paced and intense, but highly rewarding as the Assistants will be part of a response and support team which contributes to the work of the United Nations. The selected candidate will gain valuable experience and skills while working with people from a broad range of cultures and professional backgrounds.

Under the overall supervision of the Security Adviser, the SOC Assistant is responsible for supporting the UNSMS with the daily operations of the SCS.

Institutional Arrangement

The SOC Assistant will report to the Field Security Associate (FSA) with matrix management of the SOC Supervisor.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support operational activities :

• Receives, transmits or relays security and safety messages and information on behalf of the Designated Official/Security Adviser/FSA via all identified means of communication to personnel;
• On receipt of notifications of security and safety incidents, escalates these via the appropriate and defined channels for follow-up and support;
• Using the SCS, monitors the movement of field missions, as defined by the Security Risk Management (SRM) process and appropriate local standard operating procedures (SOPs);
• Based on the local SOPs facilitates the provision of immediate support to the UNSMS involved in security or safety incidents: alerts the response and support functions through the appropriate and defined channels, gives the necessary feedback and input to the personnel involved in the incidents, maintains the communication link to personnel, acts in an overall supportive role. Records all information and communications related to these incidents;
• Notifies the respective UNSMS organization when their personnel are involved in a security or safety incident;
• Monitors the usage of the SCS and ensures it is used according to established SOPs; guide personnel on appropriate behaviour when using the SCS;
• Verifies the operational status of the SCS to ensure that personnel can use or access the SCS and that the SCS is functioning properly. Reports any anomalies to the appropriate authority for further action or guidance;
• Undertakes personnel headcount in accordance with instructions from the SA/FSA

Support administrative tasks:

• Maintains the contact and residence details of all UNSMS personnel and their eligible dependents and the contact details of premises and vehicles;
• Maintains the UN warden lists;
• Maintains the contact details of the response team emergency services and support structures of host government, local authorities and contracted private security companies; direct personnel to the nearest one during times of security or safety incidents;
• Maintains records and logs of actions and communications undertaken to support security or safety incidents or any other critical communications;
• Prepares and submits reports, as directed by the most SA/FSA

Support knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. 
• Maintain organized records of project data, field activities, case studies, human-interest stories, photographs, and other relevant documents that can be drawn upon in support of knowledge sharing and advocacy. 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core

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 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/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 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Business Management: Operations Management

Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee business processes to ensure efficient operational support and service delivery, knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Business Management: Risk Management

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

Business Management: Monitoring

Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on discrepancies between planned and actual activities and operational performance.

Business Management: Communication

Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner through written and verbal communication; tailor messages to audience; manage internal and external communications through appropriate channels.

Business Management: Working with Evidence and Data

Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data to discover useful information, inform conclusions and support decision-making.

Security Services: Security incident management & 

Monitoring

Ability to provide adequate response to security 

incidents/events

Business Management: Customer Satisfaction / Client Management

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency; provide consistent solutions; deliver timely and quality results to meet and anticipate client needs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education (high school) is required. or 
• A university Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in IT, Political Science, Military Studies, Security Management, Management

or an equivalent field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years (with a high school diploma) or 1 year (with a bachelor’s degree) of IT, Security, preferably in the Military or Police context or related field of work  or any other relevant field is required.

  Required  skills 

  Usage of computers and office software packages and handling of web-based management systems Excel required.

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

• Working knowledge of VHF communication desired
• Knowledge of Satellite phone communication desired

• At least 2 years experience in the customer service field desired.

  Required Language(s) 

  English & Kinyarwanda required

   The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

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.