UN Women: Security and Safety Analyst, Nairobi, KENYA, IPSA8

Background:

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.

UN Women’s Security and Safety Services Section (SSS) is responsible for protecting personnel and assets while enabling the delivery of programs in complex environments. This position supports the mainstreaming of security into UN Women’s programmatic processes and humanitarian footprint.

Under close supervision and detailed guidance of the Global Security Advisor based in Nairobi, the Security & Safety Analyst provides administrative and coordination support for embedding security mainstreaming across Africa regional and country offices. The Analyst works according to established templates, standard operating procedures, and guidance documents to coordinate information flow and facilitate training delivery, policy alignment with the UN Security Management System (UNSMS), and support strategic internal communications.

The Analyst serves as a coordination point between the Nairobi-based Global Security Advisor and Regional/Country offices that have P3/P4-level Security Specialists, gathering information, disseminating standardized materials, and tracking implementation. All substantive security decisions, policy interpretations, and technical guidance remain the responsibility of the Global Security Advisor and field-based Security Specialists.

Escalation Protocol: The Analyst refers the following matters to the Global Security Advisor for guidance and decision: (a) any request requiring policy interpretation or adaptation of standard procedures; (b) complex, sensitive, or precedent-setting situations; (c) matters requiring substantive security expertise or professional judgment; (d) issues involving inter-agency coordination beyond routine information exchange; (e) any deviation from established templates or SOPs.

Scope of Work:

1. Security Mainstreaming & Training Delivery

• Maintains the UN Women Security and Safety Mainstreaming package ( training modules, manuals, processes, and tools), by performing regular updates as directed by the Global Security Advisor, following established version control procedures.
• Prepares information briefs, presentations, and checklists on security and safety mainstreaming using approved templates and guidance materials.
• Assists in coordinating the delivery of educational packages on Security and Safety Mainstreaming throughout HQ and field locations.
• Supports the preparation and distribution of tailored training sessions based on the needs of UN Women offices to support mainstreaming, particularly in crisis situations.
• Tracks the integration of security and safety mainstreaming into UN Women Planning Programme and Guidance, workflows, and project timelines by maintaining records and following up on pending items as directed.
• Responds to routine technical enquiries standard information and referring complex or non-routine matters to the Global Security Advisor or field-based Security Specialists. Support the population of mainstreaming tools by all levels of personnel.

2. UNSMS Policy Alignment Support

• Assist in maintaining alignment between the UN Women Security and Safety Mainstreaming Process is aligned with the UNSMS, OSH, and UN Women procedures by tracking policy updates and flagging discrepancies to the Global Security Advisor.
• Maintains communication channels with UNSMS representatives by scheduling meetings, preparing agendas using standard formats, and distributing materials. Attends Inter-Agency Security Management Network Working Group(s) meetings, takes notes, and prepares summaries for the Global Security Advisor. Tracks follow-up actions and distributes guidance documents as directed

3. Strategic Communications & Intranet Management Support

• Updates and maintains the UN Women Security & Safety Services Section Intranet portal by uploading approved content, following established formatting guidelines, and ensuring accuracy of information.
• Populates intranet pages with mainstreaming tools, policies, and news updates using standard templates and following content approval procedures.
• Produces communication materials such as flyers, presentations and graphics, using approved templates and brand guidelines, referring design modifications or new approaches to the Global Security Advisor Attends the Inter-Agency Strategic Communications Working Group and the Inter-Agency Person-Centered Approach Working Group, takes notes, and prepares meeting summaries.
• Serves as coordination point for routine communications with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and UNSMS partners, scheduling meetings and exchanging standard information under guidance..

4. Humanitarian Response Programming Support

• Compiles information on security mainstreaming in humanitarian response programming by gathering input from UN Women units and UNSMS partners and preparing summaries for review.
• Maintains and updates guidance documents related to SRM, OHS, Business Continuity, and Crisis Management within humanitarian action by incorporating approved revisions and ensuring version control.
• Coordinates with Humanitarian Response colleagues to gather information on security and safety needs in training and programming, preparing reports for the Global Security Advisor and field-based Security Specialists.
• Tracks the integration of security and safety in existing Humanitarian Response processes, documents, and training material following standard checklists and procedures

5. Security Risk Management (SRM) Support

• Maintains UN Women SRM materials by tracking UNSMS standard updates and flagging alignment issues to the Global Security Advisor. Assist in preparing guidance documents and tools to strengthen SRM implementation, including gender and disability-sensitive products by formatting content, incorporating approved text, and ensuring consistency with templates.
• Tracks the integration of SRM measures into programme design, monitoring, and evaluation processes by maintaining records and preparing status reports.
• Attends as an active member the Inter-Agency Security Management Network Security Risk Management Working Group, takes notes, and shares summaries with the Global Security Advisor.

6. Programme Criticality (PC) Support

• Supports implementation of the Programme Criticality process by maintaining tracking systems, distributing standard materials, and following up on submissions
• Maintains the UN Women Programme Criticality Training module by incorporating approved updates and ensuring version control. Assist in coordinating delivery by scheduling sessions and distributing materials.
• Reviews PC submissions for completeness and formatting consistency using standard checklists, referring substantive issues to the Global Security Advisor or field-based P3/P4 Security Specialists.
• Compiles lessons learned from PC processes by organizing feedback and preparing summary reports for review.

7. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Competencies :

Core Values:

• Integrity;
• Professionalism;
• Respect for Diversity.

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues;
• Accountability;
• Creative Problem Solving;
• Effective Communication;
• Inclusive Collaboration;
• Stakeholder Engagement;
• Leading by Example.

Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:

Functional Competencies:

• Basic operational knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to security and safety mainstreaming and programme criticality.
• Ability to follow established procedures and identify when situations require escalation. Refers complex, non-routine, or policy-related matters to the Global Security Advisor. Participate in problem-solving by gathering relevant information and presenting options
• Ability to conduct routine data collection using established methods and templates, apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan of work and manage conflicting priorities. Showing pride in work and achievements, just persistence and overcomes challenges, whilst remaining calm in stressful situations.
• Familiarity with security and safety terminology and processes..
• Ability to organize work efficiently, follow standard operating procedures, and maintain accurate records and tracking systems.
• Ability to work under pressure, using resources and time efficiently to ensure the completion of deliverables.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work independently on routine, procedural matters while seeking guidance on complex, non-routine, or substantive issues. Works under close supervision of the Global Security Advisor, following established templates, SOPs, and guidance documents

Experience:

• A minimum of one year of progressively responsible professional experience in security, safety, political science, international relations, communications, or related field is required.
• Experience in administrative support, information management, or coordination roles is desirable.
• Experience withing the United Nations is desirable.
• Experience in preparing presentations using standard templates, attending meetings and preparing notes/summaries, drafting routine correspondence following established formats, and updating intranet content following approval procedures is required.
• Experience with content management systems, MS Office Suite, and information tracking tools is required.
• Experience in the use of a modern web-based ERP System, preferably Oracle Cloud, is desirable.
• Experience working with an International Organisation is desirable.

Education and Certification:

Master’s degree or equivalent in security risk management, international relations or media/communications, security information management, political science, social sciences or related discipline.

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

Statements :

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Diversity and inclusion:

At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.

If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.

UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (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.)

Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.