Senior Security Officer

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

The UNOPS Ukraine and Eastern Europe MCO (UEMCO) operates in Ukraine, Moldova, and Poland, supporting urgent humanitarian needs while building pathways for recovery and development. In Ukraine, UEMCO delivers large-scale infrastructure, energy, housing, education, and mine action projects in partnership with UN agencies, international financial institutions, the European Union, and bilateral donors. Its agile portfolio responds to fast-evolving needs with strong procurement and implementation capacity. In Moldova, UEMCO supports justice sector reform and is exploring opportunities to expand its role across public sector modernization and infrastructure. In Poland, UEMCO works with government and private sector actors to strengthen ties with UN procurement and contribute to Ukraine’s recovery, leveraging Poland’s EU experience to support Ukraine’s future accession and integration.

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements.

 Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

 Background Information - Job-specific 

 The Senior Security Officer operates within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), under the supervision of the Country Director (UEMCO) and functional guidance of the Senior Field Security Adviser (Chişinău).

 The incumbent leads the UEMCO Security Team, providing oversight, coordination, and technical guidance to three National Security Officers based in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv. He/she ensures the effective delivery of safety and security support across UEMCO operations, maintaining close coordination with UNDSS and other security counterparts to enable safe and compliant programme delivery.

The primary purpose of the Senior Security Officer is to enable the safe and resilient delivery of UNOPS programs across Ukraine. This is achieved by leading a decentralized security team and implementing a robust, risk-based security framework that protects personnel, assets, and the integrity of projects in a highly volatile landscape.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advisory and technical 

• Operations

• Personnel Capacity on Safety and Security

• Team management 

• Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. Advisory and Technical 

• Maintain awareness of the changes in the security environment, timely reacting and advising the Country Director, office management team, and all Project Managers on all safety and security-related matters, including the potential impact on the planning and implementation of projects.

• In line with the UN Security Management System methodology, policies, and procedures, draft , as required, security risk assessments outlining threats and risks to personnel, operations and assets and recommended risk management  strategies and security measures

• Provide technical advisory and oversight services to ensure that safety and security is a core component of all programmes at the duty station and field sites and that appropriate funding is provided based on actual needs.

2. Operations

• Review all new project proposals from a security perspective and provide comments and proposals to ensure security concerns are addressed. Conduct field assessments during the establishment of projects and during project implementation. 

• Ensure implementation of all security policies, protocols and procedures 

• Propose and manage the budget for the  security function and monitor expenses.

• Collect and analyze data to support proposals for improvements (e.g. in the domain of operations; security , physical security

• Draft and regularly update the  Security Plan and its annexes

• Revise and update the office Business Continuity Plan from a Security and Safety perspective

• Maintain an up-to-date database of personnel and their dependents, information and related to UNOPS offices, residences, project sites, focal points, and the warden system for the implementation of the office/operation’s security plan;

• Review regularly the security arrangements for all operations, maintaining relevant instructions, such as security and evacuation plans;

• Takes the lead in incident response and coordinates personnel when responding to emergencies and alarms.

• Report to the Country Director all incidents and non-compliance with the established policies and arrangements.

• Plan and coordinate security operations for specific events and visits.

• Brief all new project managers on security concerns specific to their projects;

• Perform security assessments, both routine and ad-hoc, as required, to ensure optimal safety standards are in place for personnel traveling across the area of operation.

• Manage and perform daily monitoring, taking necessary action when required, and generate reports as needed.

• Monitor and facilitate personnel adherence to, and compliance with, UNSMS policies, SOPs and, 

• Determine, manage and account for the use of security equipment including security communications equipment.

• Supports incident response and attends security and safety matters as needed.

• Ensure consistent operational coordination and tasking of the UEMCO Security personnel to maintain standardized security practices across all field locations

• Liaise with and update regularly the Senior Security Field Advisor and SMT on the security situation, submitting periodic reports on security issues and performance.

• Liaise with the local government security organizations to gather and assess information on security and safety matters that might affect UNOPS personnel and programmes located in various areas in the country and provide analysis of security related information obtained. 

• Ensure that appropriate and effective coordination is maintained with UNDSS and other UN agencies’ security specialists and other regional security services to facilitate seamless implementation of the security arrangements across the respective business unit/office.

• Participate in the Security Cell and Security Management Team meetings;

3. Personnel Capacity on Safety and Security

• In coordination with UNDSS, develop and deliver staff security training programmes for UNOPS personnel. 

• Ensure that all UNOPS personnel receive a security briefing upon initial arrival at the duty station,  weekly security updates and ad-hoc  as necessitated by changes in the security environment,;

• Maintain up-to-date instructions and training for personnel relevant to the implementation of the security plan, particularly in relation to relocation and evacuation, 

• In coordination with UNDSS and other agencies’ security specialists, provide additional security awareness training to personnel, beyond the mandatory security and emergency procedures, if necessary.

4. Team Management

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high-quality results and services of the team supervised through effective recruitment, work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

• Lead and supervise the UEMCO Security Team, composed of three Security Officers located in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, ensuring continuity of operations’ security, personnel travel monitoring and consistent implementation of security plans and procedures across all locations.

• Provide regular direction, mentoring, and performance feedback to security personnel under supervision, in coordination with the Senior Field Security Adviser.

5. Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing 

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for the project’s personnel on security-related topics. 

• Conduct initiatives on capacity development and knowledge building for UNOPS and for security personnel, including network development, plans, learning plans and activities, procurement practice information and best practice benchmarking. 

• Contribute to security knowledge and communities of practice by providing collaborative synthesis of lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in security management.

• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize them productively.

• Ensure full documentation of security management approaches and activities, to enhance knowledge-sharing/transfer.

• Facilitate regular coordination and knowledge-sharing among UEMCO security personnel to harmonize approaches and promote continuous improvement.

• Follow emerging security management approaches, stay up-to-date with trends and apply best practices.

 IV. Impact of Results 

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Senior Security Officer directly impacts on the security, safety and performance of UNOPS' personnel, local programmes, projects and operations and therefore the organization's credibility as an effective service provider in project services and management. This promotes the image of the office and enhances UNOPS' competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served. 

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An advanced university degree in Security Management, Political or Social Sciences, Law, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required.

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 A first-level university degree with two  (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

• A minimum of 2 (two) years of progressively responsible experience in security risk management is required. 

• Experience with the United Nations Security Management System is a strong advantage.

• Demonstrated experience in producing Standing Operating Procedures/Security Risk Assessments/Security Plans per United Nations Security Management System

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
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