Close Protection Coordination Officer



Employer: United Nations
Duty Station: Field Locations



Closing: 12 September 2015



Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.
The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the roster.
The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection. 


Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in United Nations field Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political missions where at least one Close Protection Unit is deployed to provide Close Protection Operations to a Senior United Nations Official. The Close Protection Coordination Officer at P-3 level reports to the Chief Security Advisor or equivalent on all protection coordination issues. The technical line of communication is maintained with the Protection Coordination Unit, UN Department of Safety and Security. 

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and under the general supervision of the Chief Security Advisor (CSA) or equivalent, the Close Protection Coordination Officer at the P-3 level will carry out the following duties: (These duties are generic, and may not be performed by all Close Protection Coordination Officers at the P-3 level).

1.Advises the Chief Security Adviser or equivalent on protective operations of the mission;

2.Responsible for developing the standard operating procedures and security risk assessments within which the Close Protection Units will deploy;
3.Liaises and coordinates protective operations with Host Country, other mission components (military and police) and other organizations, as necessary, to enable implementation of necessary security arrangements for the security, safety and wellbeing of the Senior UN Officials;
4.Conducts security risk assessments and monitors threats to the Senior UN Officials in conjunction with the Chief Security Adviser or equivalent; recommends mitigation measures and implementation strategies;
5.Coordinates the planning for protective operations in accordance with UN Protection Services policy, guidance and standard operating procedures;
6.Ensures that protective operations are conducted in accordance with UN methodology and standards;
7.Provides risk briefings to Senior UN Officials and security managers on any close protection concerns for the official travels or daily activities;
8.Develops protocols on the security coordination requirements for official travels of Senior UN Officials within the host country or abroad, in conjunction with the Chief Security Adviser or equivalent and host country authorities;
9.Coordinates close protection training and exercises to ensure that operational readiness and competencies are maintained to UN Close Protection standards;
10.Accompanies the Senior UN Officials during travel and/or coordinates all related security arrangements as required;
11.Assesses the performance of the Close Protection Units;
12.Supervises the Close Protection Detail Leaders / Team Leaders;
13.Provides direction and guidance to close protection units, as required;
14.Identifies gaps in existing capability and makes recommendation for amendment where necessary;
15.Maintains training records and ensure all personnel maintain mandatory physical and technical skills requirements.
16.Maintains a training calendar/roster in coordination with the Security Training Unit to ensure all personnel are given opportunity to meet annual certification requirements;
17.Develops and reviews operational team rosters to ensure adequate training and rest time is allotted and operational needs are met;
18.In coordination with the Close Protection Officers (Detail Leaders) drafts Statements of Requirement and provides technical specifications for the procurement of unit and team equipment;
19.Monitors units’ equipment and ensures minimum equipment requirements are purchased, maintained and deployed in accordance with relevant policy;
20.Provides inputs related to close protection to the mission’s budget proposal;
21.Performs other duties as required. 


Competencies

• Professionalism: Excellent knowledge of close protection technique combined with a solid background of military, police or security specialization; well-developed analytical skills; able to recognize and evaluate the seriousness of threats; capacity to effectively coordinate close protection operations; ability to effectively deal with stress factor when encountered in security management and close protection operations; 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.

• 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; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ Ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

• Judgment and Decision Making: Identifies the key issues in complex situation of close protection operations; Gathers relevant information before making a decision; Considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in security or business administration, political/social 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.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years progressively responsible experience in close protection within governmental special services, military, police or security organizations (national or international) is required.
• A minimum of three years of experience in close protection management at least at the level of a close protection team leader within governmental special services, military, police or security organizations (national or international) is required.
• At least two years of experience and exposure at the international level is required.
• At least one year of experience in a conflict or a post conflict environment is desirable.


Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage


Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.



United Nations Considerations

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.


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