Position Title: Field Security Officer

Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 06 June 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, 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:

The Office of Staff Security (OSS) is responsible for providing leadership on security policy management and Mission operational support to enable effective implementation and delivery of IOM programmes and activities, while managing security risks at acceptable levels

Under direct supervision of the Chief of Mission and under the technical supervision of the Office of Staff Security (OSS) as represented by the Senior Field Security Officer (SFSO), the successful candidate will be responsible for providing expert support to enable IOM’s activities in Somalia with all aspects of security risk management.

The Field Security Officer (FSO) will be expected to implement appropriate safety and security management procedures that will effectively address issues that could and have impact on the security of IOM personnel, premises, assets, and operational activities.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Establish and maintain effective working exchanges and relationships with security officials of other UNSMS organizations, government counterparts and partner security services, country United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) office and all appropriate Security Focal Points, in order to obtain up-to-date security-related information that is relevant to IOM Somalia.
2. Provide accurate and up to date assessments of the security situation in IOM Somalia and provide advice and recommendations to the COM on how to prevent and mitigate against identified threats and risks.
3. Develop, implement, and regularly test a functioning warden system. Warden testing methods should include multiple systems, including SCAAN.
4. In coordination with the Senior Field Security Officer (SFSO), Regional Security Officer(RSO), Chief of Mission, prepare Country-specific training, activities, seminars, briefings, coordinate staff participation, and ensure that security training is carried out professionally within IOM and UNSMS learning/training standards.
5. Provide security briefings for IOM personnel deployed to and travelling within Somalia and coordinate all travel security for the Country Office relating to all IOM operations, including assessments of road, air and river transport networks, medical evacuations and international staff travel within and from/to Somalia.
6. In coordination with the SFSO, regularly review and monitor compliance on the UN Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM) and Residential Security Measures (RSM). This includes proactively participating in the Security Cell Meetings and actively providing guidance to the COM on issues raised in the SMT, ensuring that IOM-specific operational requirements are considered for implementation of security measures and adherence to the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) Policy on Gender Considerations in Security Management.
7. Acquire comprehensive operational understanding of IOM programmes in Somalia and provide recommendation, including Security Risk assessments in areas where IOM works or is planning to deploy its teams.
8. Support the COM by providing security-related inputs into the IOM Somalia’s Business Continuity Plan, proactively advising the COM in its regular testing.
9. In coordination with the SFSO, develop, implement, and test Country Office-specific security plans.
10. Supervise Field Security Associates to ensure that the appropriate level of staff safety and security is provided to IOM personnel.
11. Closely monitor and report on deployment numbers (staff ceilings) established for themission/s by the UN Designated Official (DO) during emergencies, in coordination with the Security Management Team (SMT) and UNDSS, ensuring that security clearance procedures are applied fairly, vis-à-vis all of the agencies working under the UNDSS Security Management System.
12. Test the functionally and implementation of IOM-specific emergency communications systems, including (SCAAN) to ensure they are functional, effective and address the programme requirements of the Country Office. This includes actively checking the SCAAN dashboard and posting relevant security advisories in a timely manner.
13. Report security matters that have a potential or direct impact on IOM operations immediately to the COM and the SFSO.
14. In coordination with the COM and the SFSO, conduct preliminary enquiries in respect to any security breaches/incidents in Somalia, working closely with local authorities in efforts to ensure IOM personnel, its assets and interests are protected, and appropriate and corrective measures taken.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Security Management/Social Sciences, Law, Disaster Management, International Studies, Communications 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

• Relevant professional experience in security management, security risk management, with minimum two years of field experience in the UN Security Management System;
• Experience in managing security staff is an advantage;
• Experience in planning and execution of security measures in UN agencies or organizations is highly desirable;
• Experience of working in a crisis/humanitarian response location in security operations is required;
• Successful completion of the UN Security Certification Programme (SCP) is required;
• Previous Hostage Incident Management (HIM) training, SSAFE Training of Trainers, and other UN-certified Training of Trainers is desirable;
• Experience working in hardship duty stations and having previous training in hostage incident management scenarios would be an advantage;
• Previous experience in dealing with law enforcement agencies an advantage.

Skills

• Proven ability to collaborate with senior military and government counterparts is an advantage;
• Proven ability to manage a high degree of rational behaviour and decision making at all times irrespective of the gravity of the security environment;
• Excellent communication and writing skills with the ability to anlayse complex problems, identify and convey clear, rapid solutions; and Strong general analytical skills.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Somali is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations.

Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.