Security Officer (Field Security) - IFAD

Vacancy announcement number:	11/04/P
Date of issue:	29 January 2011
Deadline for applications:	28 February 2011
Position Title:	Security Officer (Field Security)
Organizational unit:	Security Unit - Corporate Services Department
Level:	P-3
CCOG Code:	1.A.03.d
Duty station:	Rome
Date of entry on duty:	As soon as possible
Duration of assignment:	1-year fixed term (renewable)

Organizational context

IFAD is an International Financial Institution and a Specialized Agency of the United Nations whose mission is to enable poor rural people to overcome poverty. IFAD’s headquarters is in Rome, Italy, and its staff work with poor rural people, their governments, communities and organizations in more than 80 countries, with country offices in more than 30 countries, to develop and finance programmes and projects aimed at increasing rural productivity and incomes. As such, IFAD participates to the United Nations Security Management System at headquarters at country level.

The Security Unit, which belongs to the Corporate Services Department, is the functional unit responsible for the provision of security services in IFAD. The Security Unit is also responsible for the organization of security training for headquarters and country office staff.

Within the Security Unit, the Security Officer (Field) will follow all aspects of the security of IFAD staff and property in non-headquarters locations and develop plans for adequate security response to issues such as evacuations, serious incidents and threats to safety of staff and their dependents.

The Security Officer will visit IFAD country offices and assess the security of new offices and new IFAD operations worldwide.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Security Unit, the Security Officer’s main assignment will be to provide security assistance to IFAD Country Offices and IFAD staff on mission.
The incumbent will specifically:

• monitor the implementation of IFAD and the United Nations Security Management.
• System (UNSMS) policies and procedures on safety and security at country level, in IFAD Country Offices and in any areas outside headquarters where IFAD has staff and property.
• monitor IFAD’s participation at country level to the Security Management Teams (SMT) and the other UN security related activities in the country, such as the inclusion of IFAD staff and property in the UN Security Plan and in the other country specific security arrangements.
• monitor IFAD’s global compliance with the UN System-wide security rules and regulations, investigate security incidents and cases of breach of security rules and report cases of non-compliance to the Chief of Security.
• advise and assist the IFAD Representatives, ICO staff, and IFAD business units on all safety and security matters, including response to critical security incidents as required.
• ensure coordination at working level on security matters with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and with government counterparts and other local authorities (political and humanitarian, police, military, etc.) as required.
• undertake missions to ICOs and IFAD project areas to assess prevailing local security conditions, identifying security trends, and advise IFAD CO managers on potential security problems, recommending solutions.
• provide security briefings for staff/dependants and visitors travelling to IFAD Country Offices and Projects.
• coordinate, in close cooperation with internal stakeholders and local authorities the security of external events organised by IFAD outside of Italy according to UN security rules and guidelines.
• identify security equipment necessary for IFAD Country Offices and prepare specifications for the procurement thereof.
• coordinate the training of staff to the use of such equipment, including the installation, operation and maintenance of the related equipment.
• conduct Security Risk Assessments of IFAD Country Offices and Projects and make recommendations aimed at improving their security and safety.
• produce analytical reports on changes in the security environment and threat level, draft situation reports, maintain statistics of security incidents to staff and property and ensure proper follow-up to security incidents to staff and property.
• perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and experience

Education and experience:

• University degree essential, preferably in law enforcement, political/social science, international relations, or business management.
• A minimum of five years progressively responsible practical and professional experience in security-related matters.
• Experience as an out-posted security staff member in field duty stations of an international organisation is an asset.
• Knowledge of UNDSS security systems and state-of-the-art security systems technology as well as good computer skills are desirable.

Languages:

• Full command of written and spoken English is essential.
• Working knowledge of another IFAD language (Arabic, French or Spanish) desirable.

Competencies:

• Professionalism – you have excellent knowledge of security management combined with personal commitment, integrity and trustworthiness and effective problem-solving approach, with ability to manage stress effectively.
  
• Planning and organizing - you have good organization and co-ordination skills to plan and recommend actions in response to security problems; you also demonstrate well-developed analytical skills.
  
• Communication – you are able to write concisely and clearly and communicate effectively orally in English.
  
• Judgment and decision-making – you have good judgment to deal with emergency situations and ability to make routine decisions.
  
• Teamwork – you are able to work effectively within a cross-cultural team; and establish and maintain effective working relations with IFAD regional divisions, security officers in other agencies, specialists in other fields related to security, as well as representatives of local and national governments with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  
• Commitment to continuous learning - you are willing to learn and keep abreast of new developments in the field of security and training and apply them in flexible and creative ways to IFAD mission environment.
  
• Readiness to travel – you are ready to travel extensively in potentially risky locations.

Other information

Applicants should note that IFAD staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the President of IFAD; and they may be assigned by him/her to any of the activities of IFAD, including field assignments and/or rotation within IFAD. IFAD reserves the right to appoint a candidate at the appropriate grade commensurate with experience and knowledge.

Interested candidates are requested to apply by completing IFAD’s Personal History Form (PHF) in English. A separate CV may be attached if you so desire, only as a supplement and not a substitute to the PHF. The applications need to be addressed to the Human Resources Division, Via Paolo di Dono 44, 00142 Rome, Italy, Fax +39-06-5043463, Email vacancy@ifad.org. and must clearly indicate the Vacancy Number and position title. Any application received by IFAD after the closing date or not fulfilling the above-indicated requirements, will not be considered.

In the interest of making most cost effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful.

Candidates may be required to take a written test and to deliver a presentation as well as participate in interviews.