Security Guard

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Tunis, the North Africa Multi-Country Office (NAMCO) oversees operations in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco, delivering project management, financial services, infrastructure, procurement, and human resources support. With active project offices in Morocco and Libya, NAMCO works in close partnership with governments, NGOs, and international financial institutions to advance socio-economic development across the region. NAMCO’s portfolio spans health, justice, climate action, and environmental preservation, while promoting youth and women's empowerment through improved access to education and employment opportunities. Key initiatives include: supplying digital learning materials for Tunisian schools (World Bank), supporting Tunisia’s national development plan (AICS), enhancing maritime border management (EU), delivering high-tech health equipment to 75 hospitals (World Bank), supporting resilient agriculture in Libya (IFAD), and advancing vocational training in Morocco (KOICA). NAMCO’s work contributes directly to inclusive growth and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This position is based within the UNOPS partner’s office in Tunis and is responsible for the safety and security of staff, visitors, and assets. The Security gard will implement security procedures, respond to incidents, and maintain a safe working environment in line with United Nations security standards.

The Security Guard is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of personnel, visitors, assets and office premises. The incumbent performs patrol, control room, and post duties on a 24/7/365 rotational basis, both indoors and outdoors, in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and security policies. 

Access Control and Premises Protection

• Provide security coverage at all designated entry and exit points within office premises and annex buildings.
• Prevent unauthorized access to restricted areas and ensure that only duly accredited personnel, visitors and contractors enter the premises.
• Safeguard office property against theft, loss or damage by enforcing access and exit control procedures.
• Conduct identification and package inspections in accordance with established access control protocols.
• Support the enforcement of UN security regulations, including escorting or removing unauthorized persons when required.

Patrol and Surveillance Operations

• Perform regular patrols across indoor and outdoor areas of the office premises to ensure the safety of personnel, property and facilities.

Incident Response and Emergency Support

• Identify and report any suspicious activities, safety hazards or maintenance issues to the supervisor.
• Respond promptly to alarms, incidents and emergencies, taking appropriate containment or evacuation actions as directed.
• Maintain a visible and proactive security presence to deter potential threats and reassure personnel and visitors.
• Participate in assigned shift rotations, including patrolling and access control functions.
• Serve as first responder to security and safety incidents, including fire, medical and other emergencies.
• Perform duties as an Assistant Smoke Diver or designated emergency responder during evacuation or crisis situations.
• Coordinate with other responders to ensure timely escalation and response.
• Support the orderly evacuation of personnel, assist emergency services, and provide crowd management when required.
• Ensure familiarity with emergency procedures, alarm systems, and the use of firefighting and safety equipment.

Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation

• Operate and monitor CCTV, alarm systems and access control systems to maintain situational awareness of the premises.
• Ensure the continuous operation of security and surveillance systems and report technical issues promptly.
• Record all security-related events, incidents and observations in the Daily Activity Report (DAR) and maintain secure records of reports and footage.
• Provide detailed incident reports to the supervisor.
• Handle and deliver mail or documents when assigned, maintaining confidentiality and proper chain of custody.

Client Service and Compliance

• Provide courteous assistance to personnel, visitors and contractors, ensuring compliance with UN security and access control procedures.
• Offer directions, guidance or escort support to authorized personnel as needed.
• Promote awareness of security and safety regulations among personnel and visitors.
• Support implementation of safety campaigns, briefings and exercises organized by the Security unit.

Teamwork and Training

• Participate in cross-training programmes to ensure operational continuity across all security functions.
• Collaborate effectively with other members of the security team to maintain 24/7 coverage and uphold professional standards of conduct.
• Attend mandatory training sessions, drills, and refresher courses in security operations, first aid, firefighting, and emergency responses.
• Undertake any other related tasks or special assignments as required to support the overall security mission.

Required

• Secondary school (or equivalent) with 2 years of relevant experience OR
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 0 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• Valid certification in security operations, safety management or related areas is desired. 
• Valid certification in first aid, firefighting or defensive driving is desired.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in security, military, police or similar protective service roles, or related areas.

Desired

• Familiarity with CCTV systems, access control systems, and alarm monitoring software is desired.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.