Vacancy: Field Security Officer
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Classification: Official, Grade P3
Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension
Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible
Closing Date: September 08, 2014
Reference Code: VN2014/45(O)-EXT
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
Context: Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) in Kenya and in close collaboration with the Regional Security Officer, Head of the Staff Security Unit (SSU) at Headquarters (HQ), and the programme managers in IOM Nairobi, the successful candidate will be accountable and responsible for all security and safety matters related directly or indirectly to all IOM personnel and property in Kenya.
S/he will manage the mission’s security unit – plan, coordinate and implement appropriate safety and security management procedures that will effectively address staff safety and the protection of IOM assets.
The Field Security Officer will also be responsible and accountable for ensuring secure and safe movement related resettlement and return operations activities in Kenya.
Core Functions / Responsibilities:
- Develop, plan and implement logistical strategies, related to the mission security including but not limited to the orderly movement of the Mission's resettlement and other movement programmes in close coordination with government, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Resettlement and Movement Management Division (RMM) and IOM Missions in the region and in the respective resettlement countries.
- Maintain a positive working relationship with relevant IOM partners including Government of Kenya officials, United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), embassies and officials of resettlement countries and UNHCR and other key partners in the mission.
- Provide accurate and up to date assessments of the unpredictable security situation in Kenya and advise CoM on how to mitigate against identified threats and risk levels. Produce a Security Risk Assessment of all IOM premises indicating the identified threats and provide recommendations to the CoM. Provide appropriate safety and security management procedures related to the safety and security of IOM staff and the protection of IOM assets in the mission.
- Attend all Security Management Teams (SMTs) and security cell meetings. Liaise with IOM’s Head of Staff Safety/Security Unit and Regional Security Officer, regarding relevant security matters. Represent the COM at the United Nations Security Management Team (UNSMT) meetings.
- Review and monitor the level of Minimum Operational Security Standards (MOSS) and Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS) compliance in the various IOM offices in Kenya and effectively address all non-compliance findings.
- Develop and provide UNDSS safety/security briefings for IOM staff deployed to and travelling within the Mission. Ensure regular updating of staff and coordinate travel security for the Mission relating to all IOM operations, including medical evacuations, and international staff travel within and from/to Kenya.
- Manage assessments of road, air and sea transport networks, and possible rehabilitation to meet IOM goals of providing secondary transport and logistics assistance to refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and migrants caught in crisis.
- Assess, facilitate and identify service providers, which will support IOM activities in the field, including making contractual arrangements with national staff, but most importantly, with IOM transport contractors. Identify means and implement measures to ensure and maintain a high level of integrity consistent with the principle of the Organization for the movement and operation as stipulated in the Movement Management Manual (MMM) and follow up with the implementation and monitoring.
- Conduct security assessment for IOM main and Sub-Offices (SOs), as well as the Transit Centres, including the required rehabilitation of an existing structures and the management of these and other assets in the field.
- Ensure effective cooperation between movement unit and all other IOM units; ensure security, order, and confidentiality of all interactions and transactions. Ensure sufficient security measures for IOM movement operations in Nairobi, Kenya, in coordination with the IOM Security Focal Point, taking into consideration UN Security Phase of the location and other potential risks.
- Oversee the logistical arrangements for internal refugee travel and accommodation and assist the Movement unit in obtaining travel clearance from Government authorities in close coordination with UNHCR in all stage of the resettlement process.
- Manage staff security awareness training to enable projects and programmes within the mission to enhance security attentiveness, risk knowledge and personal safety. Liaise and meet with Immigration officials from resettlement countries and the Government of Kenya on a regular basis to address security related concerns, help develop strategies and explore related opportunities as necessary.
- Prepare periodic reports, evaluations and statistical reports, briefings, background information, narratives and statistical analysis.
- Develop and maintain the warden system to ensure accountability for all staff in the event of a security emergency or natural disaster.
- Develop, implement and maintain a country specific Business Continuity Plan. Ensure that the plan is tested via table top exercise at least once a year.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Required Competencies
Behavioural
- Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism;
- Works effectively with all clients and stakeholders;
- Promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly;
- Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management;
- Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;
- Displays mastery of subject matter;
- Contributes to a collegial team environment;
- Creates a respectful office environment free of harassment and retaliation and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA);
- Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation;
- Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;
- Works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.
Technical
- Interfaces with the UNDSS, safety/security counterparts, relevant government agencies, and other stakeholders to prepare adequate responses to security management challenges;
- Anticipates and prepares adequate responses to matters affecting staff safety/security;
- Displays availability outside of regular hours to respond to challenges.
Emergency and Crisis
- Works effectively in high-pressure, rapidly changing environments;
- Coordinates actions with emergency response actors and making use of coordination structures;
- Supports adequate levels of information sharing between internal units, cluster partners, IOM and other emergency response actors;
- Establishes and maintains effective relationships with implementing partners;
- Makes correct decisions rapidly based on available information.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- Master’s degree in Political/Social Science, International Relations, Law Enforcement, Security Management, Disaster Management or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or
- University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Experience in Security management, Law enforcement, migrant processing and emergency response at an international level;
- Comprehensive understanding of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) system and exhibit the ability to work with UNDSS in the field.
- Experience in working with transport providers;
- Experience in refugee migration related issues, project development and in liaising with governmental and diplomatic authorities as well as with international institutions;
- Knowledge of resettlement operations, particularly UNHCR, USRAP, Canada and Australia processing procedures;
- Proven ability to collaborate with senior military and government counterparts;
- Demonstrated ability to manage a high degree of rational behaviour and decision making at all times irrespective of the gravity of the security environment;
- Familiarity with East African context and previous working experience in the region an advantage.
Languages
- Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN/IOM official languages is an advantage.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM e-Recruitment system, by September 08, 2014 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.
In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly filled in and submitted with a cover letter not more than one page specifying the motivation for applications.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
You can track the progress of your application in your personal application page in the IOM e-recruitment system.