Senior Security Officer

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 Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

The Security Senior Officer manages, coordinates, and provides expert advice on all security and safety matters affecting UNOPS personnel, assets, projects, and operations within the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) area of responsibility. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the incumbent provides security support and advisory services across Kenya and other countries within the ESAMCO portfolio where dedicated security capacity is lacking. The incumbent may also provide surge support to other offices within the Africa Region, as required. 

The incumbent operates within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), ensuring that UNOPS personnel, assets, and programs are protected through sound risk management, proactive security planning, emergency preparedness, and effective coordination with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), host-government authorities, and other partners. The incumbent is expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgment and operate with substantial independence while providing expert security advice and coordination support across a geographically dispersed and operationally diverse portfolio.

The position is functionally and technically supervised by the Regional Security Adviser, Africa Region, who serves as the primary supervisor for technical and performance matters. The Director of the ESA Multi-Country Office exercises administrative supervision. The incumbent works in close coordination with country management teams and other stakeholders across the ESAMCO portfolio to ensure effective implementation of security risk management measures and compliance with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements. 

The Security Senior Officer manages, coordinates, and provides expert advice on all security and safety matters affecting UNOPS operations and projects. Ensuring that UNOPS personnel, assets, and programs are protected through sound risk management, proactive security planning, and effective coordination with UNDSS, government authorities, and other partners. The incumbent is expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgment and operate with substantial independence while supporting management in maintaining an effective and compliant security framework.

1. Security Risk Management and Advisory

• Provide security advice and support to management and personnel operating within their Area of Responsibility (AoR) and maintain awareness of security developments affecting operational activities.

• Conduct and regularly update Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) for UNOPS offices, project sites, and travel routes within their AoR, identifying threats and vulnerabilities and recommending appropriate mitigation measures.

• Develop and maintain local security management arrangements within their AoR consistent with UNSMS standards and adapted to the local operating context.

• Provide technical security advice and guidance on program design, project implementation, and operational decision-making within their AoR.

• Support the inclusion of safety and security components in project proposals and budgets within their AoR to ensure sufficient resourcing for risk mitigation measures.

• Review and update Security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with Security Risk Management (SRM) requirements, Residential Security Measures (RSMs), and other mandatory frameworks within their AoR.

• In performing these functions, the incumbent maintains continuous situational awareness of security developments within their AoR portfolio and provides timely analysis and recommendations to management to support operational decision-making. The incumbent is expected to assess emerging threats and vulnerabilities independently, develop appropriate mitigation measures, and provide security guidance to personnel and managers operating in diverse environments, ranging from urban centers to remote field locations.

1. Operational Security Coordination

• Maintains effective coordination with UNDSS offices, host-government authorities, United Nations agencies, and other relevant stakeholders throughout their AoR, ensuring timely information exchange and coherent implementation of security measures. The incumbent also supports security requirements associated with missions, deployments, and operational activities in countries where no dedicated security personnel are present.

• Support the coordination of personnel travel security clearances within their AoR, ensuring compliance with UNDSS procedures and timely submissions through the TRIP platform or other authorized systems.

• Advise on safe access strategies for field missions in high-risk areas, including risk mitigation planning, convoy coordination, and communication protocols within their AoR.

• Ensure that UNOPS compounds, offices, and residences within their AoR meet required safety standards and are equipped with adequate physical and procedural safeguards.

• Develop, implement, and oversee an annual security work plan and budget, including priorities such as fire safety, emergency preparedness, and mandatory mitigation measures.

• Manage and account for security equipment, including communication and monitoring systems, ensuring functionality and compliance with operational needs.

• Represent UNOPS in Security Cell meetings and other security coordination mechanisms and provide management with timely updates and recommendations on security developments affecting operations within the area of responsibility.

1. Support to Project Managers on Implementing Partner (IP) Security Aspects

• Provide technical guidance to project managers on security risk considerations related to implementing partners (IPs), in line with donor/ partner and UNSMS requirements.

• Advise on integrating risk management provisions into IP documentation, terms of reference (ToRs), and operational plans.

• Review IP security reports or deliverables, identify potential risks, and propose mitigation measures as needed. 

• Clarify that IPs retain full responsibility for their own security management, personnel safety, and duty of care in line with contractual obligations (with UNOPS maintaining an advisory role only).

• Support project managers in assessing whether IP security arrangements meet minimum standards while refraining from direct oversight or enforcement of IP security operations.

1. Incident Management and Reporting

• Serves as a key focal point for significant incidents affecting UNOPS personnel, assets, and operations across the ESAMCO portfolio and supports management during crises, evacuations, relocations, and other emergencies in coordination with UNDSS and relevant stakeholders. The incumbent ensures that lessons learned are captured and incorporated into future planning and preparedness activities. 

• Ensure timely preparation and submission of Security Incident Reports (SIRs) and maintain an accurate incident log for monitoring and trend analysis.

• Support investigations and inquiries into security incidents or accidents as required, ensuring that lessons learned are incorporated into operational planning.

• Maintain effective emergency communication systems and ensure that all personnel are familiar with incident reporting and escalation procedures.

• Support coordination and leadership during evacuations, relocations, or other crisis responses, ensuring alignment with UNDSS protocols and UNOPS contingency plans.

• Support management within the AoR during crises, relocations, and evacuations in coordination with UNDSS and relevant stakeholders.

1. Training, Awareness, and Capacity Development

• Promotes a culture of security awareness and accountability throughout the ESAMCO portfolio and supports the development of local capacities through mentoring, training, and the dissemination of best practices, ensuring that personnel understand their responsibilities under the United Nations Security Management System.

• Deliver security briefings and inductions to newly deployed personnel, consultants, and visitors.

• Conduct refresher sessions on personal security, travel safety, fire prevention, and emergency procedures.

• Lead the training, mentoring, and capacity development of security personnel to enhance local capability.

• Promote security awareness among personnel and IPs to foster a culture of vigilance, compliance, and proactive risk management. 

• Coordinate with UNDSS to organize joint security awareness and preparedness training, including simulations and drills. 

1. Compliance, Monitoring, and Documentation

• Periodically reviews the implementation of security measures across offices and project locations and advises management on gaps, priorities,s and corrective actions required to ensure continued compliance with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements. Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining effective emergency preparedness arrangements and supporting the organization's duty of care obligations towards personnel and eligible dependents. 

• Maintain up-to-date security documentation, including personnel and dependent contact lists, warden systems, and emergency notification procedures.

• Monitor adherence to mandatory security mitigation measures to ensure that UNOPS premises and personnel remain compliant with UNSMS requirements.

• Support country leadership and the Field Security Advisor in ensuring operational and documentation compliance with UNSMS and UNOPS security policies.

• Review, update, and test the business continuity plan (BCP) to ensure readiness for emergencies and operational disruptions.

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date,t multi-sourced country files on security assessments, plans, and advisories for decision-making and audit purposes.

1. Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Support the organization, facilitation, and delivery of training and learning sessions within the AoR on security topics.

• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from the implementation of security projects/ initiatives.

• Research security-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries, and briefing notes.

Required

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience is required.

or

• A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 4 years of relevant experience; 

Desired

• UN security certification, e.g., UNDSS: Field Security Associate (FSA), Security Certification Program (SCP), Security Analysis Process and Practices (SAPP), SSAFE TDC, Hostage Incident Management (HIM); 

or

• other professional security risk management certification, such as ASIS CPP, PSP, CSMP, ISO 31000 risk management, crisis management, business continuity, or equivalent certification.

Required

• Relevant experience in law enforcement, military, security management, crisis management, or related areas;

• Relevant experience in coordination with UNDSS and UN field security structures; and

• Relevant experience with collaboration and productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, G Suite) and web-based management systems.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments, the UN system, or INGOs in a developing country; and

• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• 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. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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.