Local Security Assistant Job in UNOPS, Dolow, Somalia

UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development.

UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe.

In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:

Vacancy Details

Vacancy Code: MASOM1112_218

Post Title: Local Security Assistant (LSA)

Post Level: LICA 3 Equivalent to G5

Org Unit: Mine Action Programme - Somalia

Duty Station: Dolow, Somalia

Duration: 12 Months (Renewable – subject to availability of funds)

Closing Date: 25th January,2012

Organisational Context

The Mine Action Programme in Somalia had been implemented by UNMAS since 2002. The programme started in Somaliland (1992-1993, 1997-1998 and 1999-present), and Puntland (2003-2005), and has implemented capacity building projects, provided technical assistance for the national Somaliland and Puntland Mine Action centres and the Police Explosive Ordnance disposal teams.

Mine Action operations in south central Somalia were launched in 2007 with the primary objective of establishing a national Mine Action Coordination Center to cover the remaining regions of south central Somalia.

The UN Somalia Mine Action Programme (UNSOMA) has transitioned and will operate under the responsibility of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), executed by UNOPS. In South Central, UNSOMA will expand the activities in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

In complement to the provision of capacity building and support for the AMISOM forces to undertake EOD (Explosive Ordnance) activities in Mogadishu to reduce the large amounts of ERW (Explosive Remnants of War) and stockpiles throughout the city, Police EOD teams will be deployed in Mogadishu in concert with an emergency MRE initiatives by UNMAS, UNICEF and UNHCR to reach the large numbers of returnees for provision of humanitarian assistance.

UNSOMA has an office in Nairobi to provide managerial and support functions for the Regional Offices in Somalia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNMAS Head of Security, daily reporting to the UNMAS Head of Office in Dolow, the incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

LSA - Key functions:

• Support the head of security in establishing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all security related duties for UNMAS premises and assets in Dolow and in the region, including local UNMAS guesthouse facilities.
• Assist the head of security in reporting on and auditing field security procedures in Dolow and the region, including security risk assessments, security clearance requests and implementation of risk mitigation measures.
• Recommend improvements of security arrangements to the Head of Office in Dolow.
• Actively liaise with UNDSS staff, host country police and military and, where necessary, local clan and community leaders regarding the safety and security of UNMAS personnel.
• Conduct security briefings for incoming UNMAS staff as appropriate;
• Assist in collecting information about possible security threats to UNMAS staff and assets and write daily reports;
• Supervise UNMAS security guards and reception personnel in the UNMAS office in Dolow, including local UNMAS Guesthouse facilities.
• Under the guidance of the Head of Security, provide appropriate training to UNMAS security guards, including reception staff.
• Maintain and ensure the proper functioning of security equipment and stores, such as identification guards equipment, torches, communications equipment, applicable registers and passes, personal body armor, emergency rations, emergency fuel etc.
• Develop access control procedures, including identification pass system, to be installed on all entry and office doors in UNMAS premises in Dolow, under the guidance of UNDSS.
• Perform any other relevant task or duty as instructed by the Head of Security or the Head of Field Office Dolow.
• Meets official personnel at the airport and facilitates immigration and customs formalities as required.
• Knowledgeable about Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS) for vehicles and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while traveling, including reporting procedures to the radio room, counter actions during carjacking, ambush, public riots & demonstrations,

Education and Experience

Education:

• Experience in either military or police would be favorable, or experience in an alternative security industry line of work
• Secondary Education
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years experience in the UN, I/NGO, humanitarian agency, police, military in the field of security
• Valid driving licence
• Working knowledge and understanding of communications equipment including computers, radios, telephones, satellite telephones, and faxes

Professionalism:

• Good inter-personal and communications skills and the ability to interact readily with UN staff members at all levels
• Good report writing skills
• Ability to interact and liaise with all levels of sources, i.e. local Somali sources, international sources, Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Ethiopian sources and in particular their information units;
• Ability to work under strict deadlines and under stressful conditions.

Language

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Good knowledge of colloquial Somali and dialects of Somali clans in South Central Somalia is required.

Other requirements

• Candidates should be skilled in office-related computer applications.
• Experience with a UN Mine Action Centre or Demining NGO will be an advantage.
• Good written communication and report writing skills.
• Candidates with experience in South Central Somalia and knowledge of bordering countries and the dynamics of cross border security related incidents are encouraged to apply.

Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), via e-mail to somaliamineaction@unops.org Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Additional Considerations

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.