Security Officer

Kenya
Security
Full Time
UNOPS

Job Highlight

Act as the East and Southern Africa Multi Country Office (ESAMCO) Security Focal Point. Provide security advisory, coordination, and operational support to ESAMCO, enabling safe program delivery and consistent application of UNOPS and UNSMS security requirements across the area of responsibility.

Role Purpose

The Security Officer provides technical, operational, and advisory support to ensure the safety and security of UNOPS personnel, assets, and operations. The incumbent functions within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), ensuring that all UNOPS activities are planned and executed in line with global security standards, local regulations, and organizational policies. The Security Officer plays a key role in security risk management, incident response, and personnel safety awareness, contributing towards the secure and effective delivery of UNOPS projects and operations.

Functions / Key Results Expected

  • Advisory and Technical Support
  • Reinforce security risk management as a core component of all UNOPS operations and projects across the ESAMCO area of responsibility.
  • Monitor security developments across the area of responsibility, maintain situational awareness of emerging threats affecting UNOPS operations, and provide timely security updates and advisories to the Regional Security Adviser and relevant management.
  • Conduct Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and preparing corresponding mitigation plans.
  • Advise project teams on local threats, vulnerabilities, and appropriate protective measures.
  • Ensure that the security considerations are integrated into project planning, budgeting and implementation phases.
  • Review project proposals from a security perspective, conduct field assessments as needed and recommend improvements.
  • Provide security guidance to project managers on security risk considerations relating to implementing partners, including the integration of appropriate risk-management provisions into relevant project documentation and operational arrangements, while maintaining the distinction between UNOPS advisory support and the implementing partner’s responsibility for its own security management, personnel safety and duty of care.
  • Support the development, implementation and periodic review of office and project-specific Security Plans, Residential Security Measures (RSMs) and contingency arrangements within the area of responsibility.
  • Support the development, review and updating of local security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other security instructions, ensuring alignment with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements.
  • Contribute to the business continuity plan (BCP) from a security and safety perspective and assist in conducting regular BCP drills.
  • Security Operations and Coordination
  • Coordinate with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and other UN agencies across the ESAMCO area of responsibility to ensure effective information-sharing, compliance and crisis response.
  • Liaise with local law enforcement, military and government security entities to exchange information and coordinate preventive measures.
  • Attend Security Cell and Security Management Team (SMT) and other coordination meetings as required and provide management with timely recommendations
  • Plan, coordinate and oversee security operations for official missions, site visits and high-level events.
  • Manage security clearances, road missions, and ensure vehicles and equipment are maintained, stocked and ready for deployment.
  • Ensure compliance with Residential Security Measures (RSMs) and mandatory mitigation measures across UNOPS premises and residences.
  • Oversee the incident reporting mechanism, ensuring timely documentation, analysis and follow-up on all security incidents affecting UNOPS personnel, premises and assets and maintain incident records for trend monitoring and reporting purposes.
  • Support the coordination of security arrangements during emergencies, relocations, evacuations and other crisis-response situations, in accordance with UNOPS contingency arrangements and UNDSS procedures.
  • Support security-related reviews, inquiries and fact-finding following incidents, as required, and contribute to the identification and documentation of lessons learned.
  • Personnel Safety, and Emergency Preparedness
  • Maintain and update personnel and eligible dependents’ contact information, warden systems, and emergency communication protocols.
  • Coordinate and deliver security briefings and induction sessions for all newly arrived personnel, contractors and visitors.
  • Provide tailored guidance to personnel on travel safety, communication procedures, and local security dynamics.
  • Ensure personnel receive mandatory security training (BSAFE, SSAFE, etc) and are informed of any changes in security procedures.
  • Develop and conduct security awareness and emergency preparedness training for personnel, in coordination with UNDSS.
  • Facilitate emergency communications by operating or coordinating specialized data-communication systems (HF/VHF/Satellite).
  • Coordinate and, where feasible, conduct fire safety drills, evacuation exercises, and emergency response simulations.
  • Security Administration and Compliance
  • Contribute to the preparation and implementation of the annual security work plan, identifying operational priorities and resource requirements in coordination with the Regional Security Adviser and relevant management.
  • Assist in budget preparation for security operations, monitoring expenditures and resource utilization.
  • Implement UNIOPS and UNSMS security policies, procedures and protocols, ensuring they are adapted to the local operating context.
  • Support the monitoring and evaluation of security mitigation measures identify implementation gaps and recommend corrective actions to support continued compliance with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements.
  • Prepare security reports, assessments and analytical summaries for submission to relevant UNOPS management and the Regional Security Adviser.
  • Maintain up-to-date security documentation, including security assessments, plans, SOPs, advisories and other required records for operational decision-making, compliance and audit purposes.
  • Maintain confidential correspondence and sensitive records in compliance with UNOPS information security standards.
  • Manage the inventory and accountability of security and communication equipment, ensuring readiness and maintenance.
  • Team Management and Capacity Development
  • Supervise or provide guidance to assigned security personnel and guards, ensuring adherence to procedures and professional conduct.
  • Facilitate effective work planning, performance monitoring and coaching to promote high-quality results and accountability.
  • Encourage professional growth through on-the-job mentoring and participation in UNOPS or UNDSS capacity-building activities.
  • Promote teamwork and collaboration across project and field security personnel to ensure consistent implementation of policies and practices.
  • Knowledge Building and Sharing
  • Conduct research on security-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.
  • Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from the implementation of security projects/ initiatives.
  • Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on security topics.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience OR
  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 0 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

  • Professional security certification (e.g. UNDSS SSAFE, HEAT, CPP, or equivalent) is desired.

Required

Experience Requirements

  • Relevant experience is work in security management, law enforcement, military or related areas.
  • Experience in security risk assessment, crisis management, and coordination with UNDSS or UN field security structures is required.
  • Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required

Desired

  • Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
  • Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

CLICK HERE TO SEE DETAILS AND APPLY

To apply for this job please visit https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Security-Officer/4227.

Call: 0765104236

Facebook  |  X / Twitter  |  LinkedIn