Close Protection Officer - Republic of South Sudan

Employer: United Nations
Location: Republic of South Sudan

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.


Org. Setting and Reporting
These positions are located in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The Close Protection Officer at FS-5 level reports to the Close Protection Officer (Team Leader), on all close protection issues.


Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and under the general supervision of the Principal Security Adviser (PSA) the Close Protection Officer at the FS-5 level will carry out the following duties:
• Provides supervision to a close protection team to conduct close protection operations for a Senior UN Official;
• Provides advice on operational requirements within the mandated area of operations and the time of assignment;
• Maintains security coverage for the working office and personal residence of the Senior UN Official;
• Ensures that mitigating measures are in place at all time to deter or deny identified threat and to preserve the security, safety and well-being of the Senior UN Officials;
• Ensures that continued effectiveness of the close protection team remains in relation to the changes of the local threat level;
• Conducts Close Protection Operations;
• Accompanies the Senior UN Official during official travels and coordinates all related security requirements;
• Reports to the Close Protection Officer (Team Leader) on official moves of the Senior UN Official;
• Within delegated authority, liaises with relevant security focal points and briefs members of the CP Team;
• Prior to initiating a deployment, coordinates with representatives of mission units or departments on issues of the location, current threat and political climate and assesses plans, coordinates and executes close protection operations;
• Conducts pre-deployment briefings with the Close Protection Officers and coordinates with the staff in the office of the Senior UN Official under the Close Protection Officer (Team Leader). Provides guidance on changes that might occur whilst on duty;
• Deploys CP officers, in advance, for official moves to ensure implementation of security arrangements;
• De-briefs CP Officers and assesses each move upon conclusion;
• Contributes to the forecasting, planning and executing security training for his/her team and liaises with other UN Missions to keep abreast with current training methods;
• Maintains the qualification records and ensures that security officers are certified according with the UN standards;
• Contributes to supervise the performance of Close Protection Officers, Close Protection Drivers;
• Identifies gaps in existing capability and makes recommendation for amendment;
• Monitors team equipment and ensures minimum equipment requirements are supplied, maintained and deployed;
• Assists the Close Protection Officer (Team Leader) or equivalent in drafting the Statements of Requirement and provides technical specifications for the procurement of unit and team equipment.
• Determines equipment, facility and supply needs based on operational requirements;
• Performs any other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
• Close Protection and Security Officers in the mission and other UN agencies
• Staff in the Office of the Senior UN Official
• Staff in the Mission Support
• Representatives of mission military and police components
• Project Managers and other project personnel
• Local security officials
• Security officials of other national and international organizations


Results Expected:
• Professionally competent close protection operations within the mission, which meets the needs of Senior UN Official and the
Close Protection Officer (Team Leader).
• To provide the proper implementation of the SOPs in accordance with the UN standards in close protection

Competencies
• Professionalism:
Excellent knowledge of close protection technique combined with a solid background of military, police or security specialization; well-developed analytical skills; able to recognize and evaluate the seriousness of threats; capacity to effectively coordinate close protection operations; ability to effectively deal with stress factor when encountered in security management and close protection operations; Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.


• Planning& Organizing:
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.


Education
• High school diploma or equivalent technical or vocational certificate
• A valid driver’s license is required
• UNDSS Close Protection Officer Certification (CPOC) is highly desirable
• Completion of international, national or commercial close protection training is desirable
• High standard of physical fitness is desirable
• Training in martial arts and/or specialized security practices is an asset.

Work Experience
• A minimum of eight years with high school diploma or equivalent of progressively responsible experience in the military, police or security management is required.
• A minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in close protection with a national, private or international security organization is required.
• A minimum two years of experience in close protection management at least at the level of a close protection shift leader with a national, private or international security organization is required.
• At least one year experience and exposure at the international level and in a conflict or a post conflict environment is required.
• Experience and proficiency in the use of close protection weapons, communications, surveillance equipment, and vehicles is required;
• Desirable experience: Close Protection of one or more principals; static and mobile protection; close protection command post operations; close protection response techniques; conduct of close protection training.


Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.


Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by an informal interview.


United Nations Considerations

Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.

Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.


Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date. 8 August 2015

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