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For every child, Security
Since 2012, the Malian crisis continued to deteriorate. The security situation remains difficult in the Northern and Central parts of the country. It is also becoming difficult in the South and East. Integrated in the Sahel Countries, armed terrorist groups are living in Mali and operate with great capacity of attacks. Criminality transborder, Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG), including violent extremist armed groups, constitute a significant threat to population, humanitarian community and UNCEF staff member. In Mali, major risk of UNICEF staff members remains Improvised Explosives Devices (IED), armed attacks and kidnaping. During the last coup d’état, political tension grows. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sanctions impact especially local population and contribute to the high cost of basic common services.
How can you make a difference?
The Security Manager reports to the Representative and maintains a direct technical reporting line with the Regional Security Adviser (RSA). The Security Manager is responsible for advising the Representative and Country Office management on their security duties and responsibilities in accordance with the UN and the UNICEF Framework of Accountability. The Security Manager contributes to the UNICEF mandate through strong security risk management process. The Security Manager manages, on behalf of the Representative, all security activities in support of the country.
The Security Manager implements and manages security activities at the duty station in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) including the UN Department of Safety and Security and UN Agencies, Funds, Programmes and Organizations (AFPO) as well as INGO partners in line with the Saving Lives Together policy. As a member of the UN Security Cell, s/he contributes to the development of assessments, procedures and guidelines including Security Risk Management (SRMs), Country Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and the country specific Security Plan.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
Security Risk Management and Planning
- Advises the Representative in the execution of her/his duties with regards to the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.
- Attends as an observer, all SMT/ASMT meetings, assists the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participates as a member of the security coordination cell established by UNDSS.
- Provides advice on and manages the implementation of SRM-Measures, Residential Security Measures (RSM), provisions of the relevant Area Security Plans and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments and monitors their implementation.
- Provide technical oversight for UNICEF contracted security providers such as guards service.
- Prepares, maintains, and updates UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provides the Representative, the RSA and the Office of the Security Coordinator (OSC) with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines. This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).
Security Services
- Monitors the security situation and provides independent and comprehensive analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and programs.
- Supervises, evaluates, and reviews security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participates, coordinates and/or undertakes security risk management processes for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
- Ensures that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the area Security Plans as it relates to UNICEF.
- Oversees the establishment of an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System.
- Coordinates with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises.
- Develop and conduct security training for UNICEF personnel as required.
- Ensures security surveys of international personnel residences are completed in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).
- Supervise and mentor UNICEF Security professionals in Mali
- Oversee the recruitment of additional UNICEF Security personnel, if required.
Programmatic Security Information Analysis
- Provides analysis to understand security dynamics, particularly when addressing issues of armed conflict, terrorism, civil unrest and population movements. Ensures the analysis addresses environmental, socio-economic and political factors that make geographical areas difficult to access and have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes, particularly in areas with significant security risks.
- Works closely with the UNICEF personnel in country to integrate all relevant analysis and security measures into the planning and implementation of UNICEF activities.
- Support UNICEF management in the development and implementation of access strategies, preparedness plans, and programme contingency plans as required.
Security Networking and Partnership Building
- Establishes contact and maintains networks with all UNSMS/NGOs security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
- Collaborate and coordinate with UNDSS and the Security Cell to enable UNICEF activities.
- Ensures that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.
Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
- Introduces technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
- Institutionalizes and shares best practices and knowledge learned.
- Organizes, plans and/or implements capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here 
JD Security Manager Level 4.pdf
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
- Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) is required.
- Work Experience: At least eight years of relevant professional experience in security risk management and/or security analysis is required.
- Skills: Demonstrated international security risk management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System are required. Experience operating in a humanitarian setting is required. Experience operating in a conflict/post conflict context is required. Experience in the region would be considered an asset.
- Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate...
UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values
The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…
(1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others
(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.
Remarks:
As per 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.
UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
