HQ Security Advisor At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: HQ Security Advisor

Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 01 March 2023

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 a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

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. External female candidates:
3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

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 risks at acceptable levels.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of OSS in Headquarters, the HQ Security Advisor will be responsible for managing the safety and security issues relating to IOM personnel, premises and assets at Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The successful candidate will serve as the day-to-day inter-agency liaison on behalf of IOM in relation to security matters in Headquarters. They will provide a key role in the implementation of premises related safety and security measures in coordination with other Departments in Headquarters, United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), including but not limited to collaboration with Host Government Security Services, access control systems, fire authorities, emergency medical and, building management.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Undertake ad hoc Security Risk Management (SRM) assessments and advice on the implementation of security risk management measures at IOM HQ.
2. Develop and update Crisis Operations Plans for IOM Headquarters (i.e., Security Plan, OSSBusiness Continuity Plan (BCP), Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Plan, etc.) as required, and implement these plans to ensure that all required Headquarters personnel are trained to respond during a crisis.
3. In coordination with UNDSS Switzerland and the Regional Security Officer (RSO) for Europe and Central Asia (EUCA), ensure effective security-related information flow/exchange to enable and improve operational assessments, planning and to enhance security awareness, coordination, and implementation of security arrangements at IOM Headquarters.
4. In coordination with the Director of OSS, represent the IOM Office of Staff Security in the Security Cell of Switzerland, other inter-agency and external forums, security working groups, and conferences as required.
5. Maintain interface with the UNDSS Physical Security Unit as well as security industry to bring both the latest security mitigation strategies and most cost-effective solutions for IOM Headquarters premises.
6. In coordination with UNDSS Switzerland, IOM Head of Common Services at Headquarters, ensures security measures are maintained at IOM Headquarters, and that corrective actions are promptly implemented.
7. In coordination with the RSO EUCA, monitor local, regional, and international events in order to assess security-related trends and its implications to IOM Headquarters personnel, premises and assets.
8. Assess security budget requirements for IOM Headquarters office and ensure that security solutions are aligned with UNSMS and IOM policies and guidelines.
9. In coordination with UNDSS, ensure that Personal Security Risk Assessments and security arrangements for the IOM Director General are reviewed and updated, including for his missions/official travel such as Travel on Authorized Duty (TDY).
10. Provide oversight and management of the security requirements for the IOM Director General and coordinates security arrangements for the Executive Office of the IOM Director General and all VIP visits to IOM Headquarters premises.
11. Serve as the OSS Focal Point for IOM Headquarters Crisis Management. The incumbent shall ensure preparedness through training, simulation exercises and workshops toward emergency preparedness.
12. Advise on security related elements of business continuity and organizational resilience, manages security information, assesses potential security risks impacting IOM Headquarters, determines emergency response needs, devises appropriate solutions, and provides technical advice to the Director of OSS on IOM Headquarters Emergency Events.
13. Maintains awareness of developing global issues to respond to requests for rapid assessments of threat, risk and security issues that could impact IOM personnel, premises and assets at Headquarters.
14. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Director of OSS.

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 seven years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with nine years of relevant professional experience.
• Successful completion of the UN Security Certification Programme (SCP) is required.

Experience

• Relevant professional experience on security risk management, or a related area, with minimum five years field experience in the UN Security Management System;
• Experience in managing crisis in the context of the UNSMS, is highly desirable;
• Experience in planning and execution of security plans and measures is required;
• Experience in the management and operation of electronic physical security systems such as access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection systems etc., is required;
• Experience in the management of security of VIP events is desirable;
• Experience working with UN Safety and Security Services or other similar international organizations is desirable;
• Experience and direct exposure/involvement with Business Continuity Management;
• Experience in security information analysis is desirable but not required;
• Previous experience in dealing with law enforcement agencies.

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;
• Successful completion of the UN Security Analysis Practice and Process (SAPP) is desirable;
• Previous Hostage Incident Management (HIM) Training, and SSAFE Training of Trainers (TOT), and other UN-certified training is highly desirable.

Languages

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

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

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 3

• 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.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

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 endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board 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.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.