Security Surge Officer (P)

Job Description

Job Identification (Reference Number): 14700
Position Title: Security Surge Officer (P)
Duty Station City: Athens
Duty Station Country: Greece
Grade: P-3
Contract Type: One Year Fixed Term (12 Months)
Recruiting Type: Professional
Vacancy Type: Vacancy Notice
Initial duration: 12 Months
Closing date: 12 May 2025 
Introduction:   

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to ensuring a workplace where all employees can thrive professionally, while working towards harnessing the full potential of migration. Read more about IOM's workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process. For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Comoros, Congo (the), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Namibia, Nauru, Palau, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from nonrepresented member states of IOM.

Context

The Office of Staff Security (OSS) is responsible for providing leadership on security policy management and Country Office operational support to enable the effective implementation and delivery of IOM programmes and activities, while managing security risks at acceptable levels.

Under the overall supervision of the Director of OSS in Headquarters (HQ), the direct supervision of the Senior Staff Security Operations Officer, and the administrative supervision of the Chief of Mission, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing expert support in delivering security risk assessments, contingency planning, emergency preparedness to enable IOM’s activities, while ensuring operational compliance to security measures, with the overall aim to ensure that OSS provides a flexible and agile security service to its clients.

To respond effectively to global humanitarian emergencies, the Security Surge Officer will be deployed at the onset of the emergency to augment office capacity, assess and establish the security requirements. The incumbent will also conduct short-term security missions globally.

The Security Surge Officer will serve as a subject matter expert on field security, provide security advice to support the crisis response and surge response teams and provide expert support in relation to crisis preparedness and contingency planning, emergency operations and activities, in close coordination with the relevant Regional Security Advisors.

Responsibilities

While on Mission:

1. In close consultation with the Senior Staff Security Operations Officer and Chief of Strategic Planning, Policy and Specialized Support, provide security policy guidance and security risk management support to the Country Office senior management team (Chief of Mission/Deputy Chief of Mission/Head of Office/Programme Managers), enabling continuation or resuming of programme activities as security situation permits within the framework of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS). 
2. In coordination with the relevant Regional Security Advisors, ensure the mainstreaming of security into all levels of IOM programme design, implementation and delivery and to promote the importance of security risk management in programme planning to ensure that IOM continues to deliver programmes in complex security environments. 
3. In coordination with the relevant Regional Security Advisors, liaise and coordinate activities of partner organizations and counterparts in the planning, preparation and execution of missions, ensuring that IOM personnel don’t take unnecessary security risks. This includes ensuring that a Person Centred Approach is integrated within the Security Risk Management process.  
4. In coordination with the relevant Regional Security Advisors, develop and facilitate implementation of processes aimed to manage the security risks to IOM personnel, premises, assets and operational activities in all locations. 
5. Develop and maintain a close working relationship with Country United Nations Department Safety and Security (UNDSS) office (Country Mission Chief/Security Advisors) and participate as an active member of the Security Cell established by the UNDSS in country. 
6. Facilitate and participate in threat and risk assessments in areas where IOM projects are implemented, identify and facilitate implementation of appropriate risk management measures. That may include specialized scenarios, e.g.: in aftermath of natural disaster and other emergency response operations, electoral monitoring projects in conflict areas, etc.
7. In coordination with the Regional Security Advisors, provide guidance to the Chief of Mission (COM) on the submission of Locally Cost-Shared Security Budget (LCSSB), ensure that shared costs proposed in Security Management Team (SMT) meetings are in compliance with the UNSMS policy on LCSSB and appropriate funding in the Country Office is available to cover the costs.
8. Where appropriate, deliver security training for IOM personnel and ensure that training is carried out professionally and within IOM and UNSMS learning/training standards.
9. In coordination with the relevant Regional Security Advisors and Senior Staff Security Operations Officer, test the functionality and implementation of IOM-specific emergency communications systems, including Security Communications and Analysis Network (SCAAN) and contingency plans, to ensure they are functional, effective and address the Country Office/programme requirements. This includes actively checking the SCAAN dashboard and posting relevant advisories in a timely manner.   
10. Provide timely and accurate updates on the security situation to the Director of OSS and Senior Staff Security Operations Officer in Headquarters and ensure that all security-related incidents involving IOM personnel and eligible dependents are reported. 

While at the Regional Office: 

1. Support the Senior Staff Security Operations Officer by providing timely security risk management advice on humanitarian emergencies and emerging conflict situations that could impact IOM personnel, premises and assets operational activities globally.  
2. Maintains awareness of developing global issues to enable effective technical advice and emergency response to requests for rapid assessments of threat, risk and security issues.
3. In liaison with the Senior Staff Security Operations Officer, OSS Global Operations Centre and Regional Security Advisors, monitor security-related events and trends and provide technical advice as required. 
4. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Director of OSS.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Security Risk Management, Disaster or Emergency Management, Political Science, Military Science, Public Administration, Law Enforcement, Law, International Relations, or related fields from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience; or 
• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.
• Successful completion of the UN Security Certification Programme (SCP) or equivalent is desirable.
• Previous Hostage Incident Management (HIM) Training, a UNSMS security training of trainers certification, and other UN-certified training is highly desirable.

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

Experience

• Relevant professional experience on security risk management, or a related area, with minimum two years of field experience in the UN Security Management System;
• Experience in managing crisis in the context of the UNSMS, is required;
• Experience in planning and execution of security plans and measures is required;
• Experience in planning, organizing and implementing humanitarian security operations in the field is desirable; and,
• Experience in security information analysis is desirable but not required.

Skills

• In depth knowledge of UNSMS security policies and procedures;
• Proven ability to collaborate and maintain effective partnerships with UN security counterparts, stakeholders, partners and government security counterparts; and,
• Previous experience in dealing with law enforcement agencies.
   

Languages

IOM's official languages are English, French and Spanish. 

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of another UN language (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.

Required Competencies

IOM's competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values - all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators Level 2

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization's priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Notes

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station's country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.
IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.

IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.

IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM e-Recruitment system (for internal candidates link here). The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.

For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies 

Required Skills

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