Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and based in Mogadishu. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the security management system to enable the safest and most efficient conduct of the security programmes and activities of the United Nations System. Under the overall management of the Principal Security Adviser of UNDSS Integrated Security Workforce, Somalia, the incumbent will report to the Chief Security.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Close Protection Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• •  Advises the Chief Security Officer on close protection operations of the Mission;
  •  Develops standard operating procedures and security risk assessments within which the Close Protection Units will deploy;
  •  Liaises and coordinates close protection operations with Host Country, other mission components (military and police) and other organizations, as necessary, to enable implementation of necessary security arrangements for the security, safety and well-being of the Senior UN Officials;
  •  Conducts security risk assessments and monitors threats to the Senior UN Official in conjunction with the Chief Security Officer, recommends mitigation measures and implementation strategies;
  •  Coordinates close protection planning in accordance with UN close protection policy, guidance and standard operating procedures;
  •  Ensures that close protection operations are conducted in accordance with UN methodology and standards;
  •  Provides risk briefings to Senior UN Officials and security managers on any close protection concerns for the official travels or daily activities;
  •  Develops protocols on the security coordination requirements for official travels of Senior UN Officials within the host country or abroad, in conjunction with the Chief Security Officer and host country authorities;
  •  Coordinates close protection training and exercises to ensure that operational readiness and competencies are maintained to UN standards;
  •  Accompanies the Senior UN Official during travel and/or coordinates all related security requirements as required;
  •  Assesses the performance of the Close Protection Unit;
  •  Provides direction and guidance to close protection units, as required;
  •  Identifies gaps in existing capability and makes recommendation for amendment where necessary;

• •  Maintains training records and ensure􀆐 all personnel maintain mandatory physical and technical skills requirements.

• •  Maintains a training calendar/roster in coordination with the Security Training Unit to ensure all personnel are given opportunity to meet annual certification requirements;
  •  Develops and reviews operational team rosters to ensure adequate training and rest time is allotted in addition to operations. Ensures accurate reflection of work hours by all unit personnel;
  •  Drafts Statements of Requirement and provides technical specifications for the procurement of unit and team equipment;
  •  Monitors Close Protection Unit equipment and ensures minimum equipment requirements are purchased, maintained and deployed in accordance with relevant policy;
  •  Provides inputs related to close protection to the mission’s budget proposal;
  •  Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of security management, combined with solid background of military, police of security specialization; Knowledge, understanding and ability to manage security challenges in post-conflict environment; Capability to appropriately manage multiple and divers security units; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style, and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; Places team agenda before personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Job – Specific Qualification

UNDSS Close Protection Supervisor Certification (CPSC) is desirable. UNDSS Security Certification Programme (SCP) is desirable UNDSS Close Protection Officers Course (CPOC) is desirable. Recent successful completion of an internationally recognized First Aid Certificate (IFAK/ETB) is desirable

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years with high school diploma or equivalent technical or vocational certificate (five years with a first-level university degree or military or police academy/staff college education equivalent to a first level or advanced university degree) of progressively responsible experience in military, police or security management is required. A minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in close protection within governmental special services, military, police or security organizations (national or international) is required A minimum three years of experience in close protection management at least at the level of a close protection team leader within governmental special services, military, police or security organizations (national or international) is required. At least two years of experience and exposure at the international level is required. At least one year of experience in a conflict or a post conflict environment is required. Experience in close protection of one or more principals, static and mobile protection, close protection command post operations, close protection response techniques and conduct of close protection training is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• •  This position is temporarily available until 30 June 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
  •  While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
  •  Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
  •  This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
  •  Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
  •  Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.