Field Security Officer
Organizational Context
The WHO Health Emergencies Programme aims to help countries prevent, prepare for, detect, respond to, and recover from health emergencies. The Field Security Officer, reporting to the Head of WHO Country Office, is responsible for the safety and security of WHO staff, teams, and responders to enable emergency operations. This role involves extensive coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including UNDSS and national authorities.
Job Purpose
The Field Security Officer's primary purpose is to ensure the safety and security of WHO personnel, premises, and assets within the assigned country, enabling the effective implementation of emergency operations. This involves supporting the Incident Manager and Head of WHO Office by monitoring the security situation, conducting risk assessments, developing contingency plans, and ensuring compliance with UN and WHO security policies. The role facilitates the tracking of staff and responders, provides security training and briefings, and maintains communication with relevant security bodies and national authorities to mitigate threats and ensure a secure operational environment during health emergencies.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include supporting the Incident Manager and Head of WHO Office in maintaining safety and security of personnel, premises, and assets, ensuring compliance with UNSMS and WHO policies. This involves monitoring the security situation, conducting risk assessments, and reporting emerging threats. The role requires developing and implementing contingency plans, establishing effective staff tracking systems, and coordinating with logistics for essential communication tools. Additionally, the Field Security Officer conducts security training and briefings for all staff, prepares situation reports, participates in identifying secure accommodations, engages with the UN Security Cell and national authorities, and supervises local security assistants as applicable.
Work Experience
Requires at least five years of experience in security management at national and international levels, with some experience in training and guiding staff on security issues. Experience in field missions with WHO, the UN, health cluster partners, or humanitarian organizations is desirable.
Skills
Demonstrated technical skills in security system management (electronics, communications, mechanics, explosives). Tact, discretion, and diplomacy. Good knowledge of WHO field security operations and health emergency specifics. Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. Excellent French and working knowledge of English are required. Knowledge of the local language is highly desirable.