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 for as long as we are needed. 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 professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, the right to Results

How can you make a difference?

Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent with an estimated population of 115 million. It borders six African countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, and covers 1,104,300 square kilometers. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures with Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its people.

Over the past couple of years, children and their families across Ethiopia faced multiple and complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the northern Ethiopia and the drought, which resulted in millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNICEF has programmes in Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education and serves over 15 million children in Ethiopia. Join UNICEF Ethiopia to contribute to improving the lives of children and women.

Purpose for the job: The Local Security Associate reports to the SPF (Security Manager/Specialist or Chief of Operations/Operations Manager) for supervision. The Security Associate provides technical, operational and administrative assistance to the Supervisor in support of their role as it relates to ensuring the safety and security of personnel and their eligible family members as well as the safeguarding of UNICEF premises, assets and resources at the duty station. In carrying out the below duties the incumbent is expected to follow instructions precisely and in strict compliance with supervisor’s instructions and UN Security related policies, rules and procedures.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities: 

1. Security Planning

• Support the supervisor administratively and logistically in their planning functions related to the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members as well as the safeguarding of premises, assets, and resources in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems. 
• Assist the supervisor by collecting and providing the basic information required for the implementation of the UN Country Security Plan, Minimum Operating Security Standards (MOSS), Residential Security Measures (RSM), and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments. 
• Assist the supervisor in the development of UNICEF routine security documentation including security contingency plans such as, but not limited to, fire and evacuation plans.
• Assist the supervisor in drafting routine security reports/returns including but not limited to Security Incident Reports (SIRs).

2. Safety and Security Services

• Monitor the local security situation through local media and networks providing regular information and updates to the supervisor relative to on-going and emerging security issues in the country. 
• Assist the supervisor in security activities that support UNICEF staff, premises and operations for all locations where UNICEF personnel and/or eligible family members are present.
• Provide on-going routine technical support and direction for contracted security providers on behalf of the SFP.
• Under the direct guidance of the supervisor, share information with UNICEF personnel and eligible family members that would affect their safety and security and information regarding the actions to take in the event of an emergency, including those identified in the UNICEF/UN Security Plans. 
• Support the supervisor in the establishment of effective and functioning Communications/Warden Systems for UNICEF and the periodic testing of these systems.
• Support the supervisor in the conduct of all security related contingency exercises particularly relating to administration, communications and logistics.
• Conduct physical security surveys of international personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM) on behalf of the SFP as required.

3. Security Networking

• With significant guidance from the supervisor, actively maintain official liaison with host government counterparts, local authorities responsible for security, law and order and security counterparts in the UN.

4. Support in Knowledge Management and Capacity Building 

• Coordinate, as required, with UNDSS, on behalf of the SFP, to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake mandatory security training/briefings.
• With strong support and guidance from the supervisor, develop and conduct country level familiarization sessions for contracted security guards specifically regarding their UN/UNICEF related duties and responsibilities.
• With strong support and guidance from the supervisor, develop and conduct country level training sessions for drivers to familiarize them with the specific actions to take when encountering a security related situation while driving.
• Assist in the provision of any security related training for UNICEF personnel or eligible family members, particularly to ensure comprehension by those more comfortable in the local language

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR Security Associate G6.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education is required, supplemented by relevant technical/military/police courses and/or university courses in a relevant discipline.  
• Work Experience: At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in a security related environment is required
• Skills: Project management, problem solving, data analysis, business systems/software, collaboration, reporting.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.

Desirables:

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language, Oromifa language
• UN experience
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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

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 promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and persons with disability 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

Visa residence requirements: i.e. 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.