JOB DESCRIPTION

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Non Family with Residential Location

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2025-07-23

August 8, 2025

Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Field Security Officer reports to the manager, who may be, according to context, the Representative/Chief of Mission or Head of Office within a country operation, the Senior Field Security Officer; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; the Head of Security Operations Unit at Headquarters, or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.

The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security, providing sound, well- reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.

The incumbent may directly supervise security personnel. The incumbent may, depending on the context, be expected to monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.

The Field Security Officer may be expected to travel on mission to multiple duty stations to provide advice and support to the local manager as agreed in mission terms of reference.

All UNHCR personnel are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, personnel are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Advise and support the manager on all aspects of security risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness with regard to maintaining the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, operations, and facilities.
• Participate in the development or update of the Security Risk Management (SRM) process for designated areas and undertake security risk assessments/ad hoc SRM analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
• Monitor compliance with standards established through the SRM process.
• Ensure person-centered approaches are included in the SRM processes and that Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) are appropriate. Develop and update all relevant tools and processes to respond to gender-based security incidents.

• Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contribute to the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) plans and planning for relocation/evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies, test plans in exercises or drills to ensure that personnel are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them effectively in an emergency.

• Ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
• Coordinate and assist in management of critical incidents and post-incident processes reporting to the manager, Senior Field Security Coordinator and FSS.
• As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
• Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including Host Government law enforcement authorities, the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UNSMS security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood.
• Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the country’s Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC), and Wardens actively participating in relevant security cell representing UNHCR.

• Provide country-relevant, security advice and training which is person-centered and gender inclusive to UNHCR personnel, and where feasible to staff of NGOs and Partners in areas In line with UNSMS and UNHCR standards. Coordinate training with security management training unit of the Global Learning Development Centre.
• Prepare periodic analytical reports on security issues in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and as relevant the Senior Field Security Coordinator in the region and Field Security Section (FSS).

• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision-making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC – 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Security;                                                          Security Management;                     Business Administration;                 

Political Science;                                            Social Science;                                 International Relations;                    

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program,                     Security Risk Management,                              Safety and security,

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable

Proven experience in security analysis, security management or security training. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working in or with humanitarian NGOs. Experience in implementing person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes. Relevant training (first aid, Women’s Security Awareness Training (WSAT), Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE), presentation skills, facilitation of training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience in  effectively handling gender-based security incidents. Experience in delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills

*FS-Security risk management

*FS-Field Security Operations

*FS-Security Planning

*FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management

FS-Crisis negotiation and ManagementFS-Security Analysis

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

The candidate should have demonstrated experience working in high-risk/hardship environments/ S/He should have proven experience in drafting robust security analysis, demonstrated analytical and security management and accordingly putting in place the mitigating measures for personnel and asset security, and the People We Serve. Experience in implementing person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes is key. S/He should have relevant trainings (first aid, Women’s Security Awareness Training (WSAT), Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE), and as well as conducting security trainings for staff/personnel. S/He should have demonstrated experience in establishing networks and working with the host country Government security authorities. S/He is experienced in effectively handling gender-based security incidents. The candidate should have demonstrated managerial and team management skills, and coordination skills working with diverse stakeholders in managing the security and safety. Previous police or military background would be an asset, including ability to perform well under stress (both work and security wise).

,

,

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Sub-Office Kakuma covers operational area includes Kakuma municipality including the refugee hosting areas and integrated settlements. Kakuma is located in Turkana County in the north-western region of Kenya and is about 720.4 Km from Nairobi. Kakuma municipality has a total population of around 530,000 people including over 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers from around 24 nationalities. Currently, within the progressive policies and pioneering approaches of the Kenyan Government i.e. the Shirika Plan at the national level, and the Kalobeyei Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plan (KISEDP) at county level, the UNHCR and partners are working ensuring the protection assistance and supporting socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and host communities. Besides, there are about 200 new arrivals per week to Kakuma, and all these are initially hosted in two reception centres in prior to the registration and accordingly transferred to the refugee hosting areas. There are two field posts that provide various services for refugees and asylum seekers. Government through the presence of national and county security teams ensures the safety and security in Kakuma municipality including in the refugee hosting areas. The staffing of UNHCR included over 120 including 14 internationals, and all reside in UNHCR compound. Other UN agencies in Kakuma includes WFP, UNICEF, UNHABITAT, UNFPA, and UNDSS. While WFP has its own compound, other UN agencies are hosted at UNHCR compound. Further, there are about 53 partners, both UNHCR-funded and operational, working in Kakuma and stay in two separate compounds that were built by UNHCR. The ASMT, with UNHCR Head of Sub Office as the ASC, is responsible for security management in the area. The overall security situation in Kakuma has been calm and while UNHCR (and or UN) operations have not been directly affected by insecurity, operations and program delivery modalities are constantly reviewed and the security posture adjusted in order to mitigate the risks. Security of UNHCR compound is provided by UN Security and Safety Service (UNDSS), a private guard company and the Kenya Police Service

 

The Field Security Officer, reporting to the Head of Sub Office, will supervise the Security staff. S/he will establish close working relations with all the units (e.g. protection, partnerships and solutions including technical sectors, programme, supply, project control and risk management and compliance) ensuring the safety and security of personnel and operations. S/He will be responsible for coordinating with the relevant Government authorities on matters related to security and safety. FSA is expected to maintain excellent and effective working relationships with all the Partners on matters related to security and safety and is able to provide Sub Office Senior Management with in-depth analysis of evolving situations to facilitate having in place effective mitigating measures. The FSA will participate in ASMT meetings and is expected to provide analytical notes in addition to the ASMT reports. Further, S/He will provide relevant security related trainings for staff and as required for partners; and implement person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes.

Living and Working Conditions:

International staff live on UNHCR compound which houses both offices, residences, gym and basketball court. Rooms have a bathroom, bed, wardrobe, TV, AC, refrigerator, gas stove. Staff provide their own bedsheets, towels, and toiletries. Rooms are cleaned Monday to Friday. Laundry is done separately for a fee. A private company sells meals and drinks in the cafeteria. Shops in Kakuma town sell toiletries and food items. There are several churches and several mosques. Available banks are Equity and Kenya Commercial. ATM machines accept some credit and debit cards, dispensing Kenyan Shillings.

The area is generally characterized by high temperatures and is relatively humid. January to March is the hottest months, with temperatures reaching 38oC / 100.4oF. Some essentials during these periods are a hat/cap, sunglasses, light sweat absorbing clothes, closed shoes, welly boots. November-December is the short rainy season. Long rains start in mid-March and end in June. Some of the hazards in the Kakuma operation includes dust storms, heat exhaustion, flooding, and presence of different insects, snakes, scorpions and high risk of malaria. Rain showers usually result in large muddy areas and overflowing of seasonal rivers which limits staff movements. Overflowing seasonal rivers in Kakuma area can result from rains from highlands on North Eastern Ugandan border.

Kakuma Mission Hospital at Kakuma town is the first point of call during medical emergency situations. There are also few medical clinics and chemist shops in Kakuma town with very basic facilities. Referrals and evacuations are primarily to Nairobi.

Kakuma Sub Office is a Security Level 3. The overall security situation in the operational area has been calm and stable over the past few months. While UNHCR operations have not been directly affected by insecurity, humanitarian operations and program delivery modalities are constantly reviewed and the security posture adjusted in order to mitigate the risks. Security of UNHCR compound is provided by UN Security and Safety Service (UNDSS), a private guard company and the Kenya Police Service. Staff are expected to always cooperate with security personnel and keep ID badge/visitors pass visible at all times while in the compound.

Movement in and out of the UNHCR Compound is restricted from 22:00Hrs to 05:00Hrs. Staff are expected to return from refugee camps and integrated settlement to the UNHCR compound by 18:00 hours.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Security, Bachelor of Arts: Security Management, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Safety and Security – Other, Security Management Learning Program – Other, Security Risk Management – Other

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office, Number of Persons of Concern Served, Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting, Workforce to Supervise, Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Add. 2 to the Bi-Annual 2025 Compendium – Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance