Field Security Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To ensure safe and secure operations of WHO staff and assets in Sudan, enabling effective emergency health response and public health delivery during crises.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

During deployment, the duty station may change, and duties may be modified, based upon the technical needs of the Programme.

1. Support the Head of WHO Office with regard to maintaining the safety and security of WHO personnel, premises and assets in compliance with UNSMS and WHO Security Management Policies and Principles, monitor the implementation of the technical security measures outlined in the Security Plan, MOSS, and SOPs; ensure that the Country Office as well as the sub-offices have an acceptable level of MOSS compliance.

2. Monitor the security situation across the county; undertake security risk assessment for the Country Office as well as overall sub-offices and report to the Head of WHO Office on any emerging security threats to WHO personnel, operations, premises and assets. Facilitate the implementation of recommended mitigating measures.

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3. Develop contingency plans for the Country Office as well as for each sub-office, be instrumental in implementing the enhanced security measures; and ensure staff members are familiar and adhere with the related guidelines.

4. In cooperation with the data team and the field coordinators, facilitate the implementation of an effective and practical system to track WHO staff and responders throughout the country of assignment; ensure that all field coordinators send, on daily basis, an updated list of staff, consultants, partners and dependents present at their respective field locations.
5. In close coordination with Logistics team, ensure that all deployed staff and responders are provided with a mobile phone and a SIM card upon arrival, as well as hand-held radios where applicable, to enable establishing a SMS or other rapid alert systems to provide staff with relevant and real time information and updates about the prevailing security situation.
6. Conduct training for all WHO staff and nonstaff in accordance with WHO policies and UNSMS standards, provide briefing on radio communication, convoy, security and evacuation procedures and other security issues and precautions to be taken in compliance with the current measures prescribed by UNDSS and WHO.
7. Maintain updated security information, prepare periodical situation reports ensuring that the Head of WHO Office and the UNDSS are kept regularly informed of security situation, drawing their attention to pitfalls, needs, unusual situations and problems, proposing improvements.

8. Participate with the logistics team in identifying proper accommodations, with adequate security measures for all staff and responders, ensuring their safety and well-being.

9. Ensure WHO's participation in the UN Security Cell. Establish contact with all relevant national authorities including national security agencies as appropriate.

10. Guide the Local Security assistant (s), where applicable.

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11. Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.
     

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First level university degree in police science, business administration, political/social sciences, psychology or international relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute, with focus on security management or equivalent in military or police academy degree or training.
 

Experience

Essential: At least five years' experience in security management, at the national and international levels.Some experience in training and guiding staff on security issues.
Desirable: Experience in field missions of WHO, the UN, health cluster partners or recognized humanitarian organization would be an advantage.

Security management experience in developing countries would be an asset.
 

Skills

• Demonstrated technical skills to understand/consolidate varying specializations such as electronics, communications, mechanics, explosives and other sophisticated devices encountered in security system management.

• Tact, discretion and diplomacy.

• Good knowledge of WHO field security operations and the specificities of the operations conducted within the framework of an outbreak and health emergencies.
   

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic.

 

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 71,335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2550 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• 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. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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