Education & Work Experience Master's Degree - 7 year(s) experience OR Bachelor's Degree - 9 year(s) experience Desired Languages Working knowledge of Arabic language is desirable
Job Description
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks. UNDP support’s the Government’s vision for a sustainable, peaceful Iraq through an approach that strengthens societal resilience to better deal with social, economic, environmental, and political shocks and stresses. UNDP Iraq has recently created a new Country Programme Document (2025 – 2029) that will serve to strengthen UNDP´s role as a learning organization ‘fit-for-purpose’ to deliver on Agenda 2030. The CPD is well-aligned with the GOI’s National Development Plan and other GOI strategies and action plans, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2025 – 2029.
The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Field Security Specialist (SFSS) Iraq include the safety and security of all UNDP staff, eligible dependents, eligible partners and contractors, resources, assets, facilities, programmes, and projects in addition to promoting, enabling and supporting UNDP programme delivery throughout the individual country of responsibility while ensuring compliance with all United Nations security policies, procedures and regulations.
In terms of functional matters related to UNDP security, the SFSS reports to the UNDP Security Office through the Deputy Regional Security Advisor (Levant), who will serve as the secondary supervisor.
At the Headquarters level, UNDP BMS/Security Office (SO) will, through the Regional Security Advisor (RSA), provide policy and technical advice to the UNDP SFSS regarding the safety and security of UNDP staff, eligible dependents, property and operations within the context of UNDP’s development role, while dovetailing with and respecting UNDSS’s mandate and role, and working within the UN and UNDP security policy and framework.
At the Field Level, the Senior Field Security Specialist will be supervised by the Resident Representative, who will serve as the primary supervisor.
Country Office success in its delivery of UNDP programmes is dependent on ensuring an adequate security framework is in place. The Host Government has primary responsibility for the security and protection of personnel employed by United Nations Security Management System organizations, their eligible family members, and property. The Country Office security team, in collaboration with UNDP Security Office and regional security staff, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UNDP programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments. Specifically, the security team ensures the integration and mainstreaming of security risk management into Country Office operations, including incorporation of security considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all country office projects and programmes.
Position Purpose Under the strategic guidance and supervision of the Resident Representative (RR) and technical guidance of Regional Security Advisor, the Senior Field Security Specialist (SFSS) provides leadership support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout a large and/or complex country within the framework of UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in covered locations. The SFSS ensures the mainstreaming of security and costs into all programming processes at the country office level as well as for individual projects; and maintains a security network of international and national security personnel.
The SFSS will supervise the Country Office GS security staff and security drivers; and works in close collaboration with UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS), security partners in other UN agencies, national and local security counterparts, counterparts in Diplomatic missions, NGOs, municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders to exchange information and implement security programs.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and ResponsibilitiesProvide leadership support in security management and policy guidance to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout a large and/or complex country within the framework of UN and UNDP security policies and procedures while protecting and minimizing risk to UNDP personnel and operations in covered locations.
In consultation with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in the Country Office, support and conduct security risk management for the for UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UNDP Programmes. Ensure the mainstreaming of security and security costs into all levels of programme design; oversee implementation and delivery through the substantive monitoring of ongoing and future projects, programmes and costs; and provide innovative and proactive support, direction and solutions in highly complex situations where required. Play a key role in contributing to the UN SMS-wide security risk management process in designated/security area. Ensure security support needs are identified and provided based on review of possible impacts of potential security factors and trends on UNDP planning, programme design and delivery as well as the possible impact of programme design on stability and security. Conduct security risk assessment of operations in the districts and regions where UNDP projects are implemented; and identify security risk priorities and ensure appropriate risk mitigation measures are implemented. Implement person-centered security risk management approaches in Country Office where security assessments and resultant security measures and procedures are guided by a nuanced evaluation of specific threats or vulnerabilities in a country facing conflict, political unrest or other volatility. Assist and provide substantive inputs to UNDSS in preparing the security risk management process and other country security documents of country/areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present.
Work in collaboration with the UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS) and lead the country office security team to ensure that UNDP procedures conform to the UN security framework.
Provide inputs and assist UNDSS in establishing, maintaining and updating country specific security and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM) as well as assist on security aspects of developing and updating emergency business continuity plans for the country office in concert with the UN Country Team business continuity plan and guidance from the Regional Security Advisor. * Ensure that all UNDP personnel are included in the Security Plan of the
