23195 Field Security Support Officer (P)new

The safety and security environment in Afghanistan remains highly complex, particularly after the Taliban seized power in August 2021 and formed an interim self-declared government known to the international community as the de facto authorities (Defa). Since then, the security in Afghanistan is characterized by multi-factorial threats, such as the activities of non-state armed groups, including terrorists and Armed Opposition Groups (AOG).

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 overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM), and direct supervision of the Field Security Officer (FSO), the Field Security Support Officer (FSSO) will be responsible and accountable for providing expert support to enable IOM’s activities and assist the FSO and IOM COM with all aspects of security risk management in Afghanistan.

The Field Security Support 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.

Responsibilities and Accountabilities

1. Establish and maintain effective working exchanges and relationships with security officials of other United Nations Security Management System organizations, government counterparts and partner security services, the 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 IOM Afghanistan activities.

2. In coordination with the FSO, provide accurate and up-to-date assessments of the security situation in Afghanistan and provide recommendations to the Chief of Mission on how to prevent and mitigate against identified threats and risks.

3. In coordination with the FSO, develop, implement, and regularly test a functioning warden system. Warden testing methods should include multiple systems, including SCAAN.

4. Support the FSO in preparing Country-specific training activities, seminars, and briefings, coordinating staff participation and ensuring 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 Afghanistan and coordinate all travel security requirements for the Country Office relating to all IOM operations, including assessments of road and air transport networks, medical evacuations and international staff travel within and from/to Afghanistan.

6. In coordination with the FSO, 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 on issues raised in the Security Management Team (SMT), ensuring that IOM-specific operational requirements are considered for implementation of security measures and that a people-centered approach is mainstreamed in security risk management.

7. Acquire comprehensive operational understanding of IOM programmes in Afghanistan and provide sound and cost-effective recommendations, including Security Risk assessments in areas where IOM works or is planning to deploy its teams.

8. In coordination with the FSO, support the COM by providing security-related inputs into the Afghanistan Business Continuity Plan (BCP), proactively advising the COM in its regular testing.

9. In coordination with the FSO, develop, implement, and test Country Office-specific security plans and security-related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

10. Supervise the Field Security Associate and oversee the functionality of IOM Kabul Security Operation Center (SECOPS), to ensure that the appropriate level of security is provided to IOM personnel.

11. In coordination with the FSO, 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 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. In coordination with the FSO, test the functionality and implementation of IOM-specific emergency communications systems, including SCAAN and contingency plans, 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. In coordination with the FSO, 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 FSO, conduct preliminary enquiries in respect to any security breaches/incidents in Afghanistan, working closely with local authorities in efforts to ensure IOM staff, its assets and interests are protected, and appropriate and corrective measure taken.

15. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• 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 two years of relevant professional experience; or,
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

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

Experience

• Minimum two 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 emergency situations that may directly impact security is desirable;
• Experience in Security Risk Management strategies is desirable;
• International experience in the humanitarian, public, private, or corporate sector is desirable; and,
• UNDSS certification in any of the following: Security Certification Programme (SCP), Security; and,
• Analysis Practice and Process (SAPP), Hostage Incident Management (HIM), Trainer and Development and Certification Course (TDC), and Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) is desirable.

Skills

• 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 work effectively with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds; and,
• Excellent oral and written skills. Listens actively and responds effectively.

Languages

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

Working knowledge of another official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, 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.