Expedited SVN: Field Security Officer (P)

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental, and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration.

This is an expedited recruitment process, open for applications from internal and internal-equivalent candidates only. 

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

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) and under the technical supervision of the OSS as represented by the Regional Security Officer (RSO) based in the Regional Office in Dakar, the  Field Security Officer will be responsible and accountable for providing expert support to enable IOM’s activities in the Country Office with all aspects of security risk management.   

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

1. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with security officials of other UNSMS organizations, government counterparts and partner security services, the 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 beneficial to the Country Office. 
2. Provide accurate and up-to-date assessments of the security situation in the Country Office and provide advice and recommendations to the COM/ Head of Office (HOO) 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 RSO, COM /HOO, prepare Country-specific training activities, seminars, and 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 the Central African Republic Mission and coordinate all travel security requirements 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 the Central African Republic
6. In coordination with the RSO, regularly review and monitor compliance with 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/HOO on issues raised in the SMT, ensuring that IOM-specific operational requirements are considered for implementation of security measures and that a people-centred approach is mainstreamed in security risk management.
7. Acquire a comprehensive operational understanding of IOM programmes in the Central African Republic Mission and provide recommendations, including Security Risk assessments in areas where IOM works or is planning to deploy its teams. 
8. Support the COM/HOO by providing security-related inputs into the Country Office’s Business Continuity Plan, proactively advising the COM/HOO in its regular testing. 
9. In coordination with the RSO, develop, implement, and test Country Office-specific security plans.
10. Supervise Field Security Associates to ensure that the appropriate level of security is provided to IOM personnel.
11. Closely monitor and report on deployment numbers (staff ceilings) established for the mission/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 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 RSO.
14. In coordination with the COM and the RSO, conduct preliminary enquiries in respect to any security breaches/incidents in the Country Office, working closely with local authorities in efforts to ensure IOM personnel, its assets and interests are protected, and appropriate and corrective measures are taken.
15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned. 
     

• Master’s degree in Security Management, Business Administration, Political/Social Science, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Law, International Relations, 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.

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in international relations, disarmament affairs, conflict resolution,  crime or terrorism prevention,  security, risk, disaster,  or crisis/emergency management and preparedness in the public or private service areas, responsible for responding to situations that may directly impact security, is desirable;

• Experience in planning, design, implementation, or review of risk mitigation measures related to operations impacted by insecurity is desirable;                                                               

• International experience  is desirable;

• Management experience in the humanitarian, public, private or corporate sector is desirable;

• Minimum one year of experience in field operations is desirable;

• Specialized experience in such areas as security programmes, risk assessments, or analysis is desirable; and,  

• UNDSS certification in any of the following: Security Certification Programme (SCP), Security Analysis Practice and Process (SAPP), Hostage Incident Management (HIM), Trainer Development and Certification Course (TDC), and Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) is desirable. 

   

• Ability to collaborate with senior government security counterparts and relevant stakeholders is an advantage;

• Demonstrated ability to manage a high degree of rational behaviour and decision-making at all times; 
• Ability to supervise and work effectively with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds; and,
• Excellent oral and written skills. Listens actively and responds effectively.

For this position, fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.

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

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile. Please refer to this link for guidance on IOM Job Category. 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 will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

Appointment will be subject to all clearances, including medical and security, as well as accreditation, and any residency or visa requirements. Vacancies close at 23:59 local time in Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and any forms of discrimination. IOM is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

IOM conducts reference checks and background verification, including through system-wide databases such as ClearCheck, to help ensure that candidates have no record of misconduct, including on sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse, or fraud. Candidates are expected to uphold these standards and principles at all times.

IOM does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process—whether for application, interview, processing, training, or otherwise—and does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM WAVE system (for internal candidates, link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies.