Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and is 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 Deputy Principal Security Adviser.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Security Coordination Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
Reviews and monitors activities related to preparation of security plans for the Mission including all aspects related to elaboration, development and updating of the plan and, if necessary, its implementation.
May Perform as Chief of the Security Section of the Mission and its senior supervisor.
Advises the Head of Mission with regard to all security-related matters and participates in discussions and development of policies and procedures for security operations, contributing inputs related to assigned areas of responsibility.
Establishes lines of communication with security focal points and all other agencies involved in peacekeeping and other missions to ensure maximum security coordination.
Serves as member of security management teams, contributing to planning, implementation, evaluation of effectiveness of security plans and other aspects of security operations.
Maintains continuing awareness of prevailing local security conditions, identifying probable threats and advising UN staff and dependants to follow appropriate preventative steps.
Establishes air, land and sea evacuation capability to be used in emergencies, ensuring availability of aircraft, vessels, railways, vehicles, fuel supply, assessable roads, ports and airfields.
Monitors and evaluates office physical security measures, such as barriers, issuance of identity cards, background checks, and entry controls, as appropriate, for normal or emergency conditions.
Evaluates effectiveness of prevailing fire safety measures in effect in assigned areas of responsibility, including fire prevention devices, fire-fighting equipment, and evacuation plans.
Determines need for, and provides training and advice to UN staff and dependants on residential security measures such as window guards, alarm systems and locks to prevent burglar intrusions.
Establishes and maintains dialog with local authorities and international institutions such as Red Cross/Red Crescent for coordination of efforts in the event of natural disasters.
Ensures availability of emergency communications by making periodic checks to determine if system is functioning properly. Arranges for necessary repairs or adjustments.
Establishes procedures for and supervises investigations and reporting of accidents involving UN vehicles and investigation of security-related incidents involving UN staff members or eligible dependants.
Assumes responsibility for guard force management, as assigned.
Arranges protection detail for senior personnel or visiting VIP’s as necessary.
Conducts and supervises security training in such subjects as the security management system, responsibilities of Area Coordinators and Wardens and personal security awareness.
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.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identifies priority activities and assignments; Adjusts priorities as required; Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect.
Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent such as a senior command and staff qualification) in security management or business administration, political/social/military science or international relations, with focus on security management;
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience in military, police or security management may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree is required;
A first-level university degree may be substituted with a diploma from a police or military academy (for commissioned officers), which may be considered its equivalent, and in combination with four additional years of qualifying experience in military, police or security management is required.
Job - Specific Qualification
Agency trauma bag certification or equivalent of a first aid certification is desirable. Certificate in specialized security training / courses is desirable. A certification from the Security Certification Programme (SCP) is desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years with advanced university degree (nine years with a first-level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in the military, police or security management; of which at least five years of progressively more senior experience in security operations, or in security administration, or similar entities, within a military, police or security organization is required.
At least one year experience and exposure at the international level is required At least two years of experience in managing multiple and diverse military, police or security units operating in a conflict or post conflict environment is required. At least three years of experience in África with the United Nations or a comparable international organization or non-governmental organization is desirable Knowledge and experience in administration and contract management is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
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.
(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 At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.
The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2):
(1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and
(2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.
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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.