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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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, hope

How can you make a difference? 

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Security Advisor, level 5, the position will have primary responsibility for contributing to strategic management of regional security operations, for leading security analysis in WCAR and for providing guidance and assistance to country level managers and security focal points.  Furthermore, the position will be responsible for supporting the Regional Security Advisor in coordinating a cohesive approach to security risk management throughout the region.

1. Security Risk Management

• Support the Regional Security Advisor in evaluating and reviewing security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participate and undertake security risk management tasks and assessments as directed by the Regional Director and/or the regional Security Advisor.
• Support the Regional Security Advisor in ensuring that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their safety and 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. 
• Support the Regional Security Advisor with Security Planning and Emergency/Crisis Preparedness in accordance with country and regional specific situation and security requirements.
• Assist the Regional Security Advisor and ensure the continuity of the WCARO security function in the absence of the Regional Security Advisor.

2. Security Analysis and Reporting

• Under the supervision of the Regional Security Advisor, the position will plan, develop, and coordinate procedures and modalities relevant to the collection, collation and analysis of security information in support of the UNICEF operations.
• Monitor situations and events in the Region and gather and analyze information with the aim of identifying emerging trends and providing early warning of any potential situation that may affect the safety and security of UNICEF staff, premises and assets throughout the Region and that may also impact programme delivery.
• 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 safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and resources.
• Monitor and analyze political and security trends that have the potential to impact on UNICEF operations, by developing early warning indicators to be used as a decision-making planning tool by Senior Regional Management and drafting of Regional Security updates.
• Provide analysis to understand country, and sub-regional, level dynamics, particularly when addressing issues of armed conflict, terrorism, inter-tribal conflict 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.
• Consolidate reporting from Country Offices and provide an analysis in the regional context, highlighting the potential impact this may have on programme delivery and particularly, in L2 and L3 locations in coordination with the humanitarian section and/or country focal point.
• Advise the Regional Security Advisor on steps needed with regard to multi-country or regional geo-security environment and key political dynamics that have the potential to impact on programme delivery.

3. Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Under the coordination of the Regional Security Advisor, establish contact and maintain networks with all UNSMS/NGOs security advisors, research organizations (think tanks), humanitarian, developmental and security research institutions and relevant local authorities as appropriate. 
• Under the coordination of the Regional Security Advisor, and relevant Country Representative, provide advice and support to I/NGOs, Consultants or Organizations working as UNICEF implementing partners, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.

4. 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.

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree in one of the following fields is required: Security Risk Management, International Relations, Conflict Analysis, Intelligence Analysis, Diplomatic Studies, Conflict and Security, Counter Terrorism or another relevant technical field.
• A first university degree in combination with 10 years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Work Experience:
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in security analysis and risk management.
• Analysis/information experience from a related background context (e.g. military, police, government, news media, etc.) would be considered an asset.
• UN and/or international security management experience is highly desirable.
• Previous experience in working in crisis / humanitarian response locations enabling programme delivery would be advantageous.
• Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and French, both oral and written, is required. Knowledge of any of the other official languages of the region (Spanish and Portuguese) is an asset.

Desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.

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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

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 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

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.

Special Notice on UNICEF office relocation:

UNICEF and other UN Agencies will be moving soon to the new United Nations House in Diamniadio, 30 kilometers from downtown Dakar. The name of the duty station for this position will remain Dakar, Senegal.