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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME The objective of the WHO Security Services is to ensure the safety and security of WHO personnel and property. As part of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), the aim of the WHO Security Services is to enable programmes to deliver, at all levels of the Organization, based on a principle of security risk management rather than risk aversion, supporting the global humanitarian focus of ‘how to stay and deliver' as opposed to ‘when to leave'. This approach focusses on appropriate analysis, risk mitigation and implementation of all reasonable safety and security measures. With a mind-set driven by a duty of care to our staff and partners at all levels, the WHO Security Services will provide the required security presence across all levels of WHO in a cost effective and efficient manner.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
In accordance with plans established by Coordinator, Staff Security, the incumbent will:
- Review the security and safety situations in all WHO areas of operations and recommend measures for improvements;
- Frequently liaise with UNDSS desk officers in New York for the purpose of exchanging information and discussing how greater staff security and safety may be assured;
- Undertake missions to assist WHO staff operating in unsafe areas;
- Undertake security assessment missions to the field for the purpose of advising WHO staff on how best to deal with the very serious security/safety problems which confront them daily;
- Maintain country files of all security related reports for the purpose of continuous analysis of their content in an effort to determine trends which could impact the safety/security of staff and issue necessary instructions;
- Upon initiative or request, provide HQ and the field with relevant analysis on the security situation pertaining to a country or a region;
- Maintain up-to-date records of hazardous duty stations and respond to queries as to the application of the Malicious Acts Insurance Policy to staff in those locations;
- Maintain a data base of residential security measures applicable in the duty stations and respond to queries pertaining to that matter;
- Maintain up-to-date records of MOSS in force in countries where WHO has operations;
- As requested, participate in meetings in Regional Offices and at the policy level, advise on security issues;
- Provide security training for staff at both HQ and field level.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential:
- An advanced level university degree (Master's or equivalent), with a focus on security management and/or related discipline (business administration; political/social science; psychology; international relations).
- Alternatively, a military or police academy degree (at officer level) equivalent to advanced university degree.
Desirable:
Experience
Essential:
- At least 7 years of experience in disaster management, risk management or security experience in the public or private service areas such as national security, military or police service or in a corporate environment, including at least 3 years in the United Nations Security Management System.
- Direct field experience in an international context such as UN system organization field operations, UN peacekeeping operations.
Desirable:
Skills
- Relevant military or police training.
- Knowledge of UN security management system.
- Proven analytical skills.
- Investigation background would be an asset.
- Knowledge of WHO field operations would be an asset.
WHO Competencies
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Moving forward in a changing environment
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 86,027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 6409 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
- The appointment type offered to the selected candidate will be determined at the time of the offer: current staff members will retain their appointment type, all other candidates, unless they are joining the organization on the basis of interagency transfer, will be offered a temporary appointment.
- This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
- In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.
- The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
- WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
- WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
- An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
- Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
- WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
- The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
- Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
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