Unit Head (security Management)

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of its staff globally. This role contributes to creating a secure and healthy work environment by implementing comprehensive occupational health and safety policies and robust security measures across all organizational levels.

Job Purpose

The Unit Head (Security Management) is responsible for developing and leading a professional, sustainable, and cost-effective security structure for the WHO. This involves establishing a five-year strategic plan, providing operational and strategic threat/risk analyses, and developing a comprehensive staff security training strategy. The role ensures compliance with UN security management systems, liaises with host country agencies, and negotiates secure access for WHO teams. The position also involves providing expert advice, monitoring high-risk environments, and managing the Security Services unit to ensure effective safety and security management for all WHO personnel and operations.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead the professionalization of a robust, sustainable, and cost-effective security structure. Establish and implement a five-year strategic security plan with regular reviews. Provide operational and strategic analyses of threats and risks to WHO staff, programs, and missions, offering mitigation guidance. Develop and implement a staff security training strategy to enhance awareness and knowledge. Coordinate safety and security policies and procedures in line with UNSMS and UNDSS. Participate in UNSMS policy decision-making bodies. Liaise with host country agencies on security operations. Develop and implement secure access strategies for WHO missions. Provide policy and technical advice, training, and guidance on safety and security. Monitor operations in high-risk environments and security trends. Oversee, manage, and develop the Security Services, providing leadership and guidance. Direct daily operations of Security Services, assessing staffing needs. Manage HR issues within the Unit, including TORs and performance oversight. Develop and manage operational needs and UNDSS cost-share budgets. Report on security funding status and needs. Brief Senior Management Team on security activities, threats, and incidents. Conduct and oversee mission safety/security assessments and investigations. Be available 24/7 for emergency consultations. Identify and implement security and safety best practices.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in security risk management, personnel security, criminal justice, public safety, law enforcement, military service, or disaster risk management is essential. Experience in crisis or post-conflict countries and collaborating with senior military/government counterparts is required. Experience with law enforcement agencies, UN Missions, or International Peacekeeping/Emergency Missions is desirable.

Skills

Strategic planning and management, threat and risk analysis, security training development, policy implementation, inter-agency coordination, negotiation, crisis management, leadership, project management, investigation, budget management, communication, and problem-solving.

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