Close Protection Officer


Employer: United Nations
Location: Baghdad , Iraq
Closing : 12 November 2015


This position is located in the Security Section, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq, Baghdad. The Close Protection Officer at FS-6 level will act as the Team Leader and will report to the Chief Security Information and Operations Center or to a Protection Coordination Officer with delegated authority from the Chief Security Adviser, on all close protection issues. Technical line of communication is maintained with the UN Department of Safety and Security, Protection Coordination Unit.

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and under the general supervision of the Chief Security Advisor (CSA) the Close Protection Officer (Detail Leader) at the FS-6 level will carry out the following duties: (These duties are generic, and may not be performed by all Close Protection Officers/Team Leaders at the FS-6 level)
• Manages the Close Protection Unit (CPU) in accordance with UN close protection guidance;
• Gathers and analyses information relevant to the tactical level of close protection operations, in coordination with the relevant security units and Protection Coordination Officer or equivalent;
• Assists in the preparation of the threat and tactical risk assessments reports recommending close protection specialised mitigating measures based on the threat identified;
• Implements mitigation strategies to deter or deny any identified threat to preserve the security, safety and wellbeing of the Senior UN Officials
• Produces and coordinates his/her unit operational plans, exercises and reviews courses of action in conjunction with the assessed threat and in accordance with UN close protection policy, guidance and standard operating procedures;
• Conducts all close protection operations as outlined by the UN close protection policies and guidelines;
• Establishes and deploys close protection teams tactically trained to meet the assessed threat;
• Ensures that close protection operations are conducted in accordance with UN methodology and standards;
• Within delegated authority, liaises with relevant host country civilian police, military, law enforcement officials and others as necessary;
• Coordinates with other mission security, military and/or police components and support services;
• Accompanies the Senior UN Official during official travels and/or coordinates all related security requirements.
• Prepares regular operational reports with analysis and recommendations;
• Establishes clear lines of authority between members of the CPU;
• Provides risk briefings to Senior UN Officials and security managers on close protection concerns for the official travels or daily activities.
• Ensures effective and efficient security coverage for the working office and personal residence of the Senior UN Official;
• Determines equipment, facility and supply needs based on operational requirements;
• Plans, coordinates and conducts close protection training and exercises to ensure that operational readiness and competencies are maintained to UN standards.
• Supervises the performance of individual team members;
• Establishes a rotational schedule for CPU team members, in and out of the unit.
• Identifies gaps in existing capability and make recommendation for amendment where necessary.
• Supervises the monitoring the equipment of teams and ensures minimum equipment requirements are supplied, maintained and deployed in accordance with relevant policy
• Coordinates with the Protection Coordination Officer or equivalent in drafting the Statements of Requirement and provides technical specifications for the procurement of unit and team equipment.
• Provides inputs related to close protection to the mission’s budget proposal.
• Performs other duties as required.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
• Heads of Security and other security staff in Headquarters and field missions
• Close Protection Security Officers in other UN agencies involved in peacekeeping and other field missions
• Staff in the Office of the Senior UN Official
• Project Managers and other project personnel
• Local security officials
• Security officials of other national and international organizations

Results Expected:
• Effective management of the CPU and close protection operations within the mission
• Proper implementation of the SOPs in accordance with the UN standards in close protection

Competencies

Core 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.

• 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

• 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


Managerial Competencies:

• Judgement/ Decision-making:
-Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly
-Gathers relevant information before making a decision
-Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them
-Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization
-Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information
-Checks assumptions against facts
-Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision
-Makes tough decisions when necessary

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent technical or vocational certificate
• A valid driver’s license is required
• UNDSS Close Protection Supervisor Certification (CPSC) is desirable (and will be expected for future advancement in this field)

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years with high school diploma or equivalent technical or vocational certificate (five years with a first-level university degree) 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 team 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.

Other:
• Completion of an international, national or commercial close protection training is desirable
• Recent (within two years) successful completion of an emergency trauma bag certification or equivalent of an first aid certification is desirable
• High standard of physical fitness is desirable
• Training in martial arts and/or specialised security practices is an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN secretariat. For this position fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an desirable.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based 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.

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