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For every child, the right to Access
How can you make a difference?
Driven by UNICEF’s mission to ensure every child has an equitable chance to survive, this role is a critical enabler for the Polio Eradication Initiative within the complex urban landscape of Karachi. Reporting to the Programme Manager-Polio, with a technical line to senior security leadership in Sindh, the Security Specialist is responsible for advising leadership on their security duties in strict accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems. The Specialist directly contributes to the UNICEF mandate by providing the high-quality security risk analysis and mitigation strategies necessary to reach the most disadvantaged children in high-risk settlements.
Operating from the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), the incumbent manages and supports all polio-related security activities in Karachi on behalf of the Programme Specialist and senior security leadership. This involves implementing security measures in close coordination with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and NGO partners under the "Saving Lives Together" policy. As an active member of the Security Cell, the Specialist develops essential assessments, procedures, and Security Risk Management (SRM) processes. By bridging the gap between rigorous safety protocols and the operational urgency of the "Roadmap to Zero Polio," the Specialist ensures that security challenges never stand in the way of a child’s right to health
The position supports polio eradication efforts at the provincial level by analyzing and reporting on security-related factors that affect access to children for vaccination, including both actual and perceived security risks. Working under the supervision of the Programme Specialist and in close coordination with the Security team in Islamabad, the incumbent provides security analysis and operational support to facilitate effective programme implementation. The role requires close collaboration with provincial Polio teams, security personnel, Government counterparts, Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs), and WHO Polio team leads. The position is primarily based within the Provincial EOC and focuses on enabling safe and uninterrupted programme delivery.
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: JD Security Specialist (Polio) NOC Karachi 95006 - VA.pdf
To qualify as a champion for every child you will have…
Minimum Requirements:
- Education: An Advanced University degree with focus on Analysis management and/or financial mathematical related disciplines (risk management, business administration; political/social science; psychology; international relations). Recognized training in Security Management. Proven successful completion of a recognized military or police advanced staff college course might be accepted in lieu of a formal advanced degree if it is recognized to be at the same or higher standard.
- Work Experience: At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in security analysis and information management, ideally within the UN security management system. Previous experience in a recognized police or military, alternatively in companies providing security-related services. Experience in emergency and high risk environments required.
- Skills: Proven skills in intelligence analysis, technical database management, strategic reporting, stakeholder management, risk management, crisis operations is required. As well as power point and other presentation format software skills.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Urdu are required. Desirables: For every Child, you demonstrate... UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values UNICEF competencies required for this post are… (1) Builds and maintains partnerships
(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
(3) Drive to achieve results for impact
(4) Innovates and embraces change
(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity
(6) Thinks and acts strategically
(7) Works collaboratively with others Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels. UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status. UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance. UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially. UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled. Remarks: As per 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. UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable females, persons with disabilities, and suitable candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information. Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities. Visa residence requirements: i.e. UNICEF shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category. All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates. Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
- Knowledge of other local language(s) is an asset.
- Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.
