Security and Access Associate

Position Information

 

 

Office/Unit/Project	UNFPA-State of Palestine
Title	Security and Access Associate
Level	PPSA7
Duty station (City and Country)	East Jerusalem, State of Palestine
Type (Regular or Short term)	Regular
Office- or Home-based	Office-based
Expected starting date	1 September 2025
Expected Duration	One year – with possibility of extension
Position Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.      Office/Unit/Project Description 

 

UNFPA is the leading UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.

 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire, and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff and personnel who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit themselves to deliver excellence in programme results.

 

 The Security and Access Associate is responsible for advising the Representative on security duties and responsibilities in accordance with the UN and UNFPA Security Management Systems. The Security and Access Associate contributes to the UNFPA mandate through valid security risk analysis, assessment, and identification of security risk management measures. The Security and Access Associate manages and supports, on behalf of the Representative, all security activities in the duty station including liasing with and extending support to the team based in Gaza.

 

The Security and Access Associate implements and manages security activities at the duty station in close coordination with all members of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) including the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), as well as NGO partner organizations in line with the Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework. As the CO ‘Security Focal Point’ and member of the Security Cell, contributes to the development of assessments, procedures, and guidelines including Security Risk Management (SRM) processes, and relevant Security plans and their implementation.

 

3.      Scope of Work 

 

1. Security Risk Management and Planning:

• Monitor the security situation and provide independent and comprehensive security analysis with the goal of identifying trends that may impact the security of UNFPA personnel, eligible family members, assets (including premises) and programmes.
• Implement security risk management measures in support of UNFPA programme activities and participate, coordinate and/or undertake security risk management for all locations where UNFPA personnel and eligible family members are present.
• Ensure that UNFPA personnel are kept informed of matters affecting their security and actions to take in the event of an emergency as detailed in the UN Security Plan. 
• Oversee the establishment of an effective and functioning communications system for security management within UNFPA that is fully integrated into the UN Emergency Communications System.
• Coordinate with UNDSS to ensure that all UNFPA personnel undertake mandatory learning events including security briefings and participate in all security-related contingency exercises.
• Assist UNDSS with mandatory training ensuring participation of UNFPA personnel.
• Conduct security surveys for internationally recruited personnel residences in accordance with the Residential Security Measures.
• Provide technical advice on the selection and procurement of security equipment identified as security risk management measures or as part of the Business Continuity Plan, such as telecommunication equipment, Personal Protective Equipment, and armored vehicles.

 

1. Security Networking and Partnership Building:

• Establish contact and maintain networks with all UN Security Management System and NGO security advisors and relevant local authorities as appropriate.
• Ensure that security collaboration with NGOs working as UNFPA implementing partners is undertaken, in coordination with UNDSS, and using the Saving Lives Together (SLT) framework.
• Collaborate and coordinate with UNDSS and the Security Cell to enable UNFPA programme
• activities.
• Collaborate and negotiate with civil military actors in the duty station to facilitate access of UNFPA personnel and programmes.

 

1. Knowledge Management and Capacity Building:

• Identify, capture, synthesize and share lessons learned for knowledge development and to build the capacity of stakeholders.
• Organize, plan and/or implement capacity building initiatives on security related preparedness and operations.

 

1. Access Issues:

• Be responsible for all aspects of the liaison with the relevant UN counterparts and authorities for access of humanitarian and development personnel and goods of UNFPA for Gaza and the West Bank.
• Develops and maintains relationships with relevant authorities to better respond to access restrictions, including developing appropriate liaison mechanisms.
• Support the easing of access constraints on humanitarian and development operations, the delivery of humanitarian and development assistance, as well as monitor and analyze access trends with a particular emphasis on the movement of staff and goods and the overall humanitarian impact of access on all beneficiaries.

 

1. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

                

 

4.      Institutional Arrangement

 

The Security and Access Associate will work under the direct supervision of the UNFPA Representative and a secondary technical reporting line to the Arab States Regional Security Adviser in Cairo

 

5. Competencies

 

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
People Management N/A   UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.    Cross-Functional & Technical competencies  Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction and  Strategy Effective Decision Making Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, are aof expertise and resources Business Direction and Strategy Negotiation and Influence Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates ‘win-win’ Situations Business Development Knowledge Facilitation Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally Business Management Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals Business Management Partnership Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies Business Management Risk Management Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks Business Management Results-based Management Ability to manage assigned tasks pertaining to one’s functions and resources with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable  results Business Management Monitoring Ability to provide key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results 2030 Agenda: People Gender Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)

 

6.      Minimum Qualifications of the Successful PPSA

 

 

Min. Education requirements	A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Security Risk Management, International Relations, Business Administration, Political /Social Science, Psychology, Military Science, Law Enforcement, or related field is required, or Secondary Education (high school or equivalent) in combination with an additional three years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the first level university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience	At least four years of experience with a first-level or advanced degree or seven years with Secondary Education (high school or equivalent).
Required  skills	Demonstrated ability to work closely with UN counterparts, government officials, Implementing Partners, NGOs and any other multi-lateral institutions. Proficiency in current office software applications.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section	Demonstrated security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System is highly desirable. Previous experience of working in a conflict/post-conflict or crisis environment is an asset.
Required Language(s)	Fluency in (oral and written) Arabic and English is required.
Professional Certificates	N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.       The following documents shall be required from the applicants

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.