Security Specialist (Analyst), P-4, Temporary Appointment (364 days), Port Sudan, Sudan (Open to non-Sudanese nationals)

Under the direct supervision of the Representative for the analysis and foresight aspects, with matrix management to the Senior Security Manager P5, the Security Analyst will provide specific analysis, advice, and support to the Sudan Country Office relative to the UNICEF Programme activities and operations in insecure areas as well as affected personnel and partners. The incumbent will develop country specific thematic analysis of specific insecure areas, analysis of the underlying cause of inaccessibility and insecurity, the local dynamics, and planning and implementation of mitigation measures customized to the local context and risk analysis. The incumbent will provide programmatic security support and analysis for all programs which will inform existing strategies, including communication and access strategies and provide the basis for measures to assist in reducing the number of targeted populations missed in hard-to-reach areas.

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

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For every child, Security 

The recent escalation in the armed conflict in Sudan threatens the lives and well-being of the country's 21 million children. The intensification of the armed conflict poses severe human costs, causing a growing number of civilian and children casualties, interrupting livelihoods, damaging critical civilian infrastructure, and displacing over 1.4 million people within Sudan and an additional 474,390 people to neighboring countries. We have received credible reports that 335 children have been killed, and 1,940 children were injured since the beginning of the fighting on April 15.

Humanitarian needs are rapidly multiplying both inside Sudan and in refugee-hosting countries. 13.6 million children inside Sudan require urgent humanitarian assistance. The most pressing needs are emergency medical services and supplies, vaccines, nutrition services for 621,000 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), safe drinking water and ensuring protection of children on the move and during the fighting.

In response, UNICEF is staying and delivering and has already mobilized organization-wide support. However, the deteriorating situation and complex operating environment require strengthened capacity and sustained efforts to expand our presence and our work in parts of the country that can be safely accessed. It also calls for strengthened humanitarian leadership, and for continued scaling up of our humanitarian action. UNICEF also coordinates with refugee-hosting countries to prepare and respond to the humanitarian needs emerging from population movements.

Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Representative for the analysis and foresight aspects, with matrix management to the Senior Security Manager P5, the Security Analyst will provide specific analysis, advice, and support to the Sudan Country Office relative to the UNICEF Programme activities and operations in insecure areas as well as affected personnel and partners. 

The incumbent will develop country specific thematic analysis of specific insecure areas, analysis of the underlying cause of inaccessibility and insecurity, the local dynamics, and planning and implementation of mitigation measures customized to the local context and risk analysis.

The incumbent will provide programmatic security support and analysis for all programs which will inform existing strategies, including communication and access strategies and provide the basis for measures to assist in reducing the number of targeted populations missed in hard-to-reach areas. 

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Security Risk Management and Planning

• Support the Security Manager in the execution of his/her duties with regards to the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.  Attend as, when needed and as an observer, all SMT/ASMT meetings. Assist the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participate as a member of the security coordination cell established by UNDSS.
• Provide advice on and manage technical security requirements contained in the UN Security Plan, SRM), and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments and monitor their implementation.  Oversee, guide and assess all UNICEF security personnel in the country. Provide technical oversight for contracted security providers.
• Prepare, maintain, and update UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provide the Office of the Security Coordinator (OSC) with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines. This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).
• Provide technical assistance for more accurate risk assessments.
• Identify trends, patterns, and early warning triggers for insecurity at country level.

2. Security Services

• Monitor the security situation and provide independent and comprehensive analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets, and resources. Support how communications approaches and tools can contribute to the situation analysis.
• Provide technical assistance for accurate threat and risk assessments, including focused analysis on the root causes for inaccessibility at country level to inform access strategies and improve program delivery in the country. Cross reference and triangulate data to confirm issues and trends.
• Supervise, evaluate, and review security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participate, coordinate and/or undertake security risk management for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
• Report on focused analysis on the root causes for inaccessibility at country level to inform access strategies and improve program delivery in the country. Challenge claims of insecurity and inaccessibility (and define specific zones and sub-zones of non-access versus global statement of non-accessibility for Sudan)
• Ensure that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the UN Security Plan as it relates to UNICEF.  Oversee the establishment of an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System.  Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises. 

3. Programmatic Security Information Analysis

• Provide analysis to understand country level dynamics, particularly when addressing issues of terrorism, armed conflict, inter-tribal conflict, civil unrest, and population movements.
• Ensure the analysis addresses environmental, socio-economic, and political factors that make geographical areas difficult to access and have an impact on the delivery of UNICEF programmes, particularly in areas deemed security compromised.
• Provide analytical input to country specific security, access, and programme strategies.
• Work closely with the UNICEF programme and communication personnel in country to integrate all relevant analysis into the planning and implementation of all country programmes.

4. Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establish contact and maintain networks with all UNSMS/NGOs security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate. Ensure that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.

5. Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Introduce technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
• Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned.
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
• May be required to act as the OIC to ensure the continuity of the security function in the absence of the Senior Security Manager.
• Contribute to lessons learned database for key programme activities.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree is required.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in security analysis, political and conflict analysis, and security risk management is required.
• Demonstrated understanding of security related analytical processes is essential
• The incumbent will possess analytical and information management skills and will be able to interpret data and security information.
• Developing country work experience, especially in “D” and “E” duty stations, and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is required.
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Arabic is considered an asset.
• Security Analysis Process and Practice (SAPP) Certification is considered an asset.
• Knowledge / familiarity with the Region / Country an asse

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.