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, rights

The Security Officer plays a critical role within the security section by ensuring a secure operational environment that enables LACRO to pursue these objectives. Through risk assessment, planning, and collaboration with country offices and UNDSS, the position supports the safety of personnel, assets, and programs. This security support is essential for maintaining operational continuity, safeguarding staff, and ensuring that UNICEF can continue its mission of delivering life-changing support to children across the region, even in challenging environments.

The Security Officer’s primary role is to support the Regional Security Adviser (RSA) in the execution of regional security duties and in providing assistance to UNICEF Country Offices in the LAC region. Additionally, the Security Officer acts as the Regional Office Security Focal Point and supports the Panama Country Office in Security Cell duties and in liaising with UNDSS Panama as directed by the RSA.

How can you make a difference? 

The Security Officer supports and assists the RSA in implementing and managing security activities in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS), including the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and NGO partners, following the Saving Lives Together (SLT) policy. The Security Officer contributes to the development of assessments, procedures, and guidelines, including supporting the Security Risk Management (SRM) processes, SRM measures, and relevant Security Plan(s) within the Regional Office area of responsibility.

Key Responsibilities:

Security Risk Management and Planning

• Advise and assist the Regional Director on safety and security of personnel and premises.
• Implement technical security requirements and ensure compliance with SRMs, Security Plans, and RSM.
• Maintain and update security documentation and reports.

Security Services

• Monitor security situations and provide analysis to forecast conditions impacting UNICEF operations.
• Implement security activities and develop Security Risk Management processes.
• Ensure personnel are informed of security matters and actions to take in emergencies.
• Coordinate mandatory security training and exercises.

Programmatic Security Information Analysis

• Analyze security dynamics affecting program delivery.
• Integrate security considerations into program planning and implementation.

Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establish and maintain networks with UNSMS, I/NGO, diplomatic, and local authorities.
• Collaborate with UNDSS to facilitate UNICEF activities.

Innovation, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Building

• Identify and integrate technological innovations in security procedures.
• Develop tools for incident reporting, staff tracking, and security compliance.
• Share lessons learned and organize capacity-building initiatives.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: Security Officer NOB

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: A 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 University degree in a discipline related to security management, technology, international studies, or political analysis.
• Work Experience: A minimum of two years of professional experience in global security risk management and/or security analysis is required. Demonstrated international security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian) or 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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

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 candidates from underrepresented groups 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.

UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

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.