Field Security Associate

Deadline for Applications

June 25, 2026

Hardship Level

D

Family Type

Non Family with Residential LocationDanger Pay

Residential location (if applicable)

Budapest, Hungary

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date

2026-07-01

Standard Job Description

Field Security Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Field Security Associate provides support to all security related aspects of field operations including Staff, premises and asset security.
The incumbent is supervised by a Senior Officer (FSA or Head of Office) who defines general work objectives and provides necessary advice and guidance. The incumbent maintains regular contact on a working level on routine issues with other UNHCR staff members, UN agencies, NGOs, implementing partners and Host Government Security authorities (HGS) in the area to facilitate the operation.
The duty of the incumbent is to support and monitor the management of security issues.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Provide assistance to the supervisor in evaluating the level of risk and assessing the existing security measures for the UNHCR staff, operations, premises, partners and persons of concern.
- Conduct regular security assessment missions to the field as required in coordination with UNDSS/other agencies; gather and analyse information about the security situation during field missions.
- Be aware of security protocols and procedures in place in accordance with the UNSMS policies, UNHCR Policies and the, Security Risk Management process for the designated area ;
- Conduct checks for compliance and advise management on any deficiencies.
- Monitor the physical security of UNHCR premises and reports on deficiencies.
- Monitor and supervise the guard force In accordance with relevant UNSMS policies and guidance.
- Assist UNHCR Protection Colleagues in efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other persons of concern.
- Provide support during implementation of security-related projects.
- Assist in the monitoring, updating and reporting of security-related events.
- Assist in the processing of administrative security issues.
- Maintain relations and cooperation with UN security management system actors, local law enforcement agencies, civil authorities and other relevant agencies.
- Provide security briefings and training to UNHCR staff, and as appropriate partner staff, on relevant security risk management processes and measures for the country concerned to include security situation updates, , the warden system, communication notification and reporting procedures, travel planning procedures road air and fire safety.
- Respond to staff queries on security issues and provide immediate assistance as required.
- Provide security-related advice to the manager and other staff.
- Maintain liaison and build relationships with Host Government Security Forces and security counterparts.

- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable
Certificates and/or Licenses
Security and Safety
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified
Desirable
High level of knowledge in the security field
Functional Skills
IT-Computer Literacy
FS-Field Security Operations
FS-Security Analysis
CO-Cross-cultural communication
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile

Essential Attributes:

• Proven experience in delivering or co-facilitating security-related training (e.g. SSAFE, IFAK). Holding a Training-of-Trainers (ToT) certification is an asset.

• Experience in conducting security briefings and drills, including fire evacuation and relocation exercises.

• Strong familiarity with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS).

• Strong administrative and organizational skills to support FSU functions, including coordination with security focal points, maintenance of security records and staff lists, support to guard force operations, and management of security-related procurement, documentation, and reporting.

• Willingness and readiness to deploy to field locations in support of operational delivery.

• Ability to make sound and timely decisions in emergency situations and when rapid response is required.

• Ability to identify priority activities and assignments and adjust priorities as needed.

In line with UNHCR’s commitment to gender equality and strengthening gender balance in security functions, qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly given the operational requirements, the nature of the role, and the importance of gender-sensitive security engagement.

Desirable Attributes:

• Demonstrated experience in delivering women’s security training.

• Completion of the Field Security Associate (FSA) certification.

• Proven ability to operate effectively in a field-oriented, inter-agency security environment with strong coordination skills.

Language requirements: fluency in both English and Ukrainian is required.

The shortlisted candidates may be invited to undergo a written test.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

English

,

Ukrainian

,

Desired languages

,

,

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:
The Field Security Associate is based in the Kyiv Country Office and reports to the Assistant Field Security Officer. The position requires solid experience in providing security support to field operations within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS).

The position requires the ability to effectively support the Field Security Unit (FSU) at country office level, with strong coordination, follow-up, and administrative skills across both field and country office activities. The incumbent will be expected to contribute to an active and effective security response in a highly fluid and challenging environment, where UNHCR personnel operate under high and very high security risk levels across multiple duty stations.

The role requires sound knowledge of security management practices and the ability to support security briefings, training, and compliance. The incumbent will ensure that UNHCR personnel, operations, and facilities comply with Security Risk Management (SRM) measures, guidelines, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). In coordination with the Assistant Field Security Officer, the incumbent will follow up on staff compliance with safety and security protocols, including completion of mandatory training and obtaining required security clearances.

General Operational Context

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been present in Ukraine since 1994 and substantially increased its presence and response after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The geographical presence within Ukraine has significatively expanded to deliver the emergency response. The country office is located in the capital, Kyiv, and sub- and field offices are currently located in Dnipro, Kyiv, L’viv, Odesa and Kharkiv.

The war in Ukraine has caused death and suffering on a dramatic scale. In 2026, with an estimated 10.8 million people in need, humanitarians aim to reach 4.1 million of the most vulnerable, prioritizing those experiencing the most severe conditions. Some 3.7 million people are internally displaced, while around 5.9 million refugees from Ukraine are recorded across Europe and beyond. Some 75,000 people, including some of the most vulnerable, notably older people and people with disabilities, live in collective sites spread across the country. Ukraine also hosts asylum-seekers and refugees and is home to thousands of people who are stateless or at risk of statelessness.

The massive destruction of civilian infrastructure, with the energy sector being particularly targeted has made life extremely challenging for millions of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and has severely disrupted access to electricity, water, heating as well as critical services, including healthcare, education and social protection. Humanitarian access continues to be hampered, particularly in frontline areas as well as to areas under temporary occupation of the Russian Federation. Civilians remain exposed to serious risks to their physical security and integrity, particularly in eastern and southern regions of Ukraine. The risk of GBV, including sexual violence, continues to prevail, alongside family separations, loss of housing and properties, as well as identity and civil documentation. Populations displaced or otherwise affected by the war live in situations of deprivation, following the loss or damage of their housing, loss of income, and often become dependent on an overstretched social protection system.

The Government of Ukraine maintains a strong lead role in responding to the needs of its population and UNHCR supports the Government and its central and local institutions to provide protection, shelter/housing, cash and in-kind assistance to displaced and other people impacted by the war. Currently, UNHCR has MOUs with four-line ministries, the Pension Fund of Ukraine, the First Lady’s foundation as well as the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman), 20 regional state administrations and agreements with 12 partners to deliver assistance and support the localization of the response. Under the leadership of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator, UNHCR operates as part of the Inter-agency humanitarian response, working in close coordination with local authorities and humanitarian partners. UNHCR is leading two Clusters - Protection and Shelter and NFI Cluster, including the multi-sectoral coordination in transit centers and collective sites. The strategic orientation of UNHCR’s response is to reach people, particularly those with specific vulnerabilities, who remain in frontline and heavily affected areas with immediate relief while supporting displaced people and those who have remained in their homes, or returned, with protection advice, housing support, livelihoods advice and cash assistance to enable their recovery and attainment of durable solutions.

Protection needs to be truly at the center of this response, as the highest critical needs of the population caused by the international armed conflict are in the area of protection. Since Ukraine is a highly sophisticated country with a strong government leadership and well-established administrative, social protection and digital systems, it is essential to design and deliver UNHCR’s protection programs in a way which simultaneously addresses immediate needs and supports the further development of sustainable and inclusive national protection systems.

With the EU having voted to confirm Ukraine’s accession to the EU at the end of 2023, Ukraine will also embark on a series of substantial and long-term reforms in numerous sectors, including justice and home affairs, which presents an opportunity to contribute to strengthened and more inclusive protection, asylum and statelessness reduction systems. Working closely with government authorities, local community representatives and partners from the embassies, UN, civil society and international financial institutions, amongst others, is thus key to ensuring that UNHCR’s response is closely aligned with and complementary of national and local strategies and recovery plans.

As the war continues, new urgent humanitarian needs are created every day, alongside protracted ones and peoples’ and communities’ efforts to recover and rebuild their lives in war-torn communities. Among the IDPs and refugees from Ukraine, the majority express a hope and desire to return to their homes as soon as the security situation allows. The protection needs of the population thus need to be analyzed and addressed both from a humanitarian as well as from an early recovery and durable solutions perspective, with UNHCR playing a leading role in this work.

Living and Working Conditions:

Ukraine is currently designated as a non-family country location, with Dnipro and Kharkiv classified as “E” duty stations with 4-week R&R cycle, whereas Kyiv, Odesa and Lviv are classified as “D” duty station with 6-week RR Cycle and Budapest being a designated R&R location for all duty stations. English is not widely spoken, access to hard currency is possible from local banks (rents are normally paid in USD). International staff rent private apartments in the cities of their duty stations. The quality of life is of average European standard, with relatively solid infrastructure. However, the volatile security situation, which includes frequent missile and drone attacks that trigger air raid alarms, requiring immediate move to the shelters (frequently during nights) affects the living and working environment on everyday basis resulting with sleep deprivation, high levels of stress, affecting the staff welfare and wellbeing. In addition, due to massive attacks on the country’s critical infrastructure there are frequent and prolonged electricity cuts, coupled with lack of generators in private multistorey buildings and apartments, which may also affect elevators, heating, water, and possibly sewage systems, leading to an overall unpredictable and at times difficult living conditions, especially in winter. Due to the state of war, there is a country wide curfew in place from 00:00-05:00 every night. Also, all airports are closed, and air-traffic is not available, resulting in travel within and in and out from/to Ukraine being done mainly by car and trains, supported by official shuttle for Poland and Moldova border crossing. Average train ride combined with shuttle by road from Kyiv to Poland, Hungary or Moldova airports ranges from 11-17 hours with train tickets selling very quickly.

Security:

The war in Ukraine remains ongoing. Russian Federation (RF) Armed Forces continue to occupy Crimea and significant parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, with recent advances near Pokrovsk and deeper into Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Approximately 19% of Ukraine’s territory is under RF control.

The front line remains the primary zone of kinetic military operations, particularly in the east (Donetsk and Luhansk), southeast (Zaporizhzhia), and areas north of Kharkiv. Heavy fighting continues around Pokrovsk, where RF forces are attempting to encircle Ukrainian positions, and in Zaporizhzhia, where breakthroughs have occurred under cover of poor weather. RF forces are conducting large-scale missile and drone strikes across Ukraine, including the use of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and combat drones. These attacks increasingly target civilian areas and critical infrastructure, such as energy facilities, transport hubs, and residential buildings. Emergency power outages are now routine due to sustained strikes on the energy grid, creating severe hardship as winter sets in. Commercial air travel remains suspended, with road and rail as the only viable transport options.

Deliberate attacks on humanitarian convoys have occurred. On 14 October 2025, a clearly marked UN inter-agency convoy delivering aid to Bilozerka (Kherson region) came under artillery fire and drone strikes by RF forces. Two World Food Programme trucks were destroyed by drones, despite visible UN markings. Fortunately, no staff were injured, but this incident reflects a broader pattern of increased risk to humanitarian personnel. Since the full-scale invasion, humanitarian workers have faced violence, and some have been killed and injured in Ukraine, primarily in front-line areas. UN facilities and assets have also been damaged in strikes on urban centres, and humanitarian access remains severely constrained. Front-line shifts and intensified hostilities have led to extremely high access constraints in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and parts of Kharkiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv oblasts. Mines, UXOs, and ongoing military operations further restrict movement.

The UN Security Management System (UNSMS) continues to apply the Security Risk Management (SRM) process. Current risk levels range from High to Very High, and in some areas with active hostilities. Across all SRM areas where UNHCR operates, the projected risk level remains High. Applicants for positions in Ukraine must be prepared for a highly dynamic and hazardous security environment where unexpected events occur frequently. Key considerations: Air raids are frequent, requiring staff to shelter for extended periods. Power, heating, and water outages are common, especially during winter. Disruptions to essential services (shops, banks, restaurants) may occur. Curfews apply nationwide; private travel by international staff is prohibited. All mission travel requires authorisation and completion of mandatory BSAFE, SSAFE, and IFAK training, plus security clearance.

The UNHCR Field Security Unit (FSU) works closely with UNDSS and other UNSMS partners to ensure program delivery within acceptable risk parameters. Contingency planning remains critical to support UNHCR’s mandate of providing protection and assistance to people in need. Given the evolving operational and security environment, maintaining robust security preparedness is essential.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Cross-cultural communication, FS-Field Security Operations, FS-Security Analysis, IT-Computer Literacy

Education

Certifications

Safety and Security - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Change capability & adaptability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance