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, Security!

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.  Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.  And we never give up.

The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

The Security Manager reports to the Representative.

How can you make a difference? 

The Security Manager reports to the Representative and maintains a direct technical reporting line with the Regional Security Adviser (RSA) (Matrix Management). The Security Manager is responsible for advising the Representative and Country Office management on their security duties and responsibilities in accordance with the UN and the UNICEF Security Framework of Accountability. The Security Manager contributes to the UNICEF mandate and security strategy through the effective implementation of a strong security risk management process. The Security Manager manages, on behalf of the Representative, all security activities in support of the country.

The Security Manager implements and manages security activities at the duty station in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) including the 

UN Department of Safety and Security and UN Agencies, Funds, Programmes and Organizations (AFPO) as well as INGO partners in line with the Saving Lives Together policy. As a member of the UN Security Cell, s/he contributes to the development of assessments, procedures and guidelines including Security Risk Management (SRMs), Country Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and the country specific Security Plan.

Security Risk Management and Planning

• Advises the Representative in the execution of her/his duties with regards to the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, and in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.
• Assist CO Representative and Heads of Offices, as appropriate, to review Security Risk Management processes (SRMs) and undertake specific Security Risk Management processes as required; work closely with UNDSS C/SAs and other agency security professionals to ensure security documents are gender and disability inclusive.
• Assists the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) as appropriate and participates as a member of the security coordination cell established by UNDSS. Attends as an observer, all SMT/ASMT meetings,
• Through the security cell, provides advice and recommendations on all Security Documentation, including SRM and Security plans, and manages the implementation of SRM-Measures, Residential Security Measures (RSM), provisions of the relevant Area Security Plans and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments within UNICEF.
• Prepares, maintains, and updates UNICEF security documentation including security contingency plans and provides the Representative, the RSA and the Office of the Security Coordinator (OSC) with mandatory reports in accordance with UNICEF security reporting guidelines. This includes the monitoring/reporting on security compliance and the submission of all Security Incident Reports (SIRs).

Security Services

• Monitors the security situation and provides independent and comprehensive analysis with the goal of identifying trends and predicting the specific conditions that would impact on the security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and programmes to inform decision making.
• Supervises, evaluates, and reviews security activities in support of UNICEF operations and participates, coordinates and/or undertakes security risk management processes for all locations where UNICEF personnel and eligible family members are present.
• Ensures that UNICEF personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and the actions to take in the event of an emergency including those identified in the area Security Plans as it relates to UNICEF.
• Oversees the establishment of an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNICEF that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency 
• Communications System.
• Coordinates with UNDSS to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake all mandatory security training/briefings and participate in all security related contingency exercises.
• Develop and conduct security training for UNICEF personnel as required.
• Ensures security surveys of international personnel residences are completed in accordance with the Residential Security Measures (RSM).
• Provide technical oversight for UNICEF contracted security providers such as guards service.
• Supervise and mentor UNICEF Security professionals in the country
• Oversee the recruitment of additional UNICEF Security personnel, if required.

Programmatic Security Information and Analysis

• Provides analysis to understand security dynamics. 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.
• Works closely with the UNICEF personnel in country to ensure security considerations are mainstreamed into programmes integrate all relevant analysis and security measures into the planning and implementation of UNICEF activities.
• Support UNICEF management in the development and implementation of access strategies, preparedness plans, and programme contingency plans as required.

Security Networking and Partnership Building

• Establishes contact and maintains networks with UNSMS, I/NGO, diplomatic, and international community security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
• Collaborate and coordinate with UNDSS and the Security Cell to enable UNICEF activities.
• Ensures that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNICEF implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the SLT policies as a framework.

Security Compliance Monitoring

• Monitor that the Country Offices complies with and periodically exercise security procedures/protocols and guidelines including: Security Risk Management Measures (SRM-M) and UNICEF’s Global Security Compliance platform.
• Review proposals for country and area Security Risk Management measures (SRM-M), Residential Security Measures (RSMs), Local cost shared security budget (LCCSB), and other relevant security documents and provide advice when warranted.

Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building

• Introduces technological innovations and approaches to security procedures and systems.
• Institutionalizes and shares best practices and knowledge learned.
• Organizes, plans and/or implements capacity building initiatives to enhance the competencies of clients/stakeholders on security related preparedness and operations.
• Provide briefings and presentations to UNICEF senior managers with security responsibilities on current and new UN security policies, guidelines and tools.
• Ensure training provided is gender and disability inclusive

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

Minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree is required.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in security analysis, political and conflict analysis, and security risk management is required.
• Demonstrated international security management experience in emergency and/or conflict contexts and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System are required
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• For this position, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language of the duty station is an asset.

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 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people

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 female candidates 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.

OUAGADOUGOU IS A NON-FAMILY DUTY STATION WITH A REST & RECUPERATION CYCLE OF EIGHT WEEKS.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.