Security Specialist (Level 3)

About the role

The Security Specialist at Level 3 is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and supports all UNICEF offices in Nairobi, including the expanding footprint, personnel presence, premises, operations, missions, partnerships and programme support functions. The specialist advises and supports the Representative, Chief Field Office or Country Security Specialist in fulfilling security duties under the UNSMS and UNICEF security policies, and leads and manages a team of national security professionals.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and support security activities for all UNICEF Nairobi offices and designated locations, coordinating with UNDSS, the Security Cell, other UNSMS actors and partners, including under the Saving Lives Together framework.
• Contribute to timely delivery within acceptable risk levels through security risk analysis, planning, preparedness, access support, incident management and risk mitigation.
• Lead the team of national security professionals providing integrated, scalable and responsive security support.
• Key areas include security risk management and planning, security services, programmatic security information analysis, security networking and partnership building, and innovation, knowledge management and capacity building.

Required profile

• Master's degree (advanced university degree) in security studies, international relations, political science, criminology, emergency management, public administration, risk management or a related field; a bachelor's degree plus two years of relevant experience may be accepted instead.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in security, global security risk management, security analysis or related fields.
• Fluency in English.
• Desirable: knowledge of another UN official language or a local language, international security management experience and understanding of the UNSMS, and country-level experience in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

Required skills

• UNICEF competencies: building partnerships, self-awareness and ethical awareness, drive for results, innovation, managing ambiguity and complexity, strategic thinking, collaboration, and leading and managing people.
• Understanding of the United Nations Security Management System (desirable).