Unit Head (Security Management)

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME The objective of the programme is to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all WHO staff across the three levels of the Organization by implementing comprehensive occupational health and safety policies, security measures, and support services. The immediate strategic objective is to create a safe and healthy work environment that minimizes risks, ensures safety and security, promotes well-being, and enhances productivity across all levels of the organization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Develop and lead the professionalization of a robust and responsive security structure that is sustainable, cost-effective and upholds the core values of the Organization.
• Establish, implement and maintain a five-year strategic plan, with regular reviews that take stock of lessons learned, and capitalizes on strengths.
• Provide operational and strategic analyses related to threats/risks posed to WHO staff, programmes, offices and field missions, offering staff the necessary guidance and mitigation measures.
• Develop, implement and maintain a staff security training strategy that increases skills, security awareness and security knowledge of all personnel across the Organization.
• Implement and coordinate safety/ security policy/procedures in accordance with WHO responsibility and accountability to UNSMS and United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).
• Formally participate in and influence the UNSMS security policy decision-making bodies with concrete contributions.
• Liaise and coordinate security and safety operations with host country agencies.
• Develop, negotiate and implement safe and secure access strategies to enable WHO teams to perform their mission(s).
• Provide policy and technical safety/ security advice, training and guidance to personnel in all offices and on missions. Ensure that systems and procedures are in place to disseminate safety/ security policy/ procedures and instructions to all in a timely manner.
• Constantly and vigilantly monitor operations in high-risk environments to ensure all safety/ security procedures are in place and security trends are monitored. To be done in coordination with the WHO Emergencies Programme.
• Oversee, manage and develop the Security Services, providing effective leadership, vision and guidance to WHO management and personnel, in all aspects of safety/security management.
• Direct and manage the daily operations of the Security Services providing regular reviews and assessments on the general and/or urgent staffing needs related to the Units' operations, both routine and in support of emergency operations.
• Manage all HR issues within the Unit, including the development and drafting of TORs for security positions across the Organization, overseeing the performance of the security staff in all offices and monitoring the technical performance of all mission Security Officers.
• Develop, in coordination with the Director OSH, the Comptroller and the ADG/BOS, the annual operational needs and UNDSS cost share budgets (global and local). Frequently review, in coordination with the above Officers, the Security Funding Mechanism and report on its financial status, assessing its potential to address long-term general security funding needs and emergency requirements.
• Provide reports,assessments, advice and frequent briefings to the Senior Management Team (SMT) on activities and significant security threats/risks/trends/incidents.
• Actively participate in the UNSMS SMT for Geneva and supply regular security briefings as required.
• As required, conduct and/or oversee mission safety/security assessments to ensure compliance with relevant policies and procedures. Make appropriate recommendations to strengthen these systems and address non-compliance issues.
• Conduct and report on various investigations related to safety, security incidents involving staff and/or the Organization assets and provide the necessary recommendations. Such investigation should be coordinated with Human Resources, Legal and Internal Audit offices to provide the necessary recommendations.
• Be available 24/7 to provide advice and consultation on any emergencies or security situations involving WHO staff members or assets.
• Identify and institute security and safety best practices throughout the Organization.
• Undertake other security and safety activities and responsibilities as directed by Director OSH and ADG/BOS.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level degree (Masters level) from a recognised university in Security Management, Law, Disaster Management, International Studies, Public or Business Administration or a related field.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in security risk management, personnel security, criminal justice, public safety, law enforcement or military service, and/or disaster risk management. Proven ability to collaborate with senior military and government counterparts. Professional experience should also include a track-record of success in managing complex problems, situations or programmes. Relevant work experience in, or concerning, several geographic regions. Relevant work experience in or concerning crisis or post-conflict countries.
Desirable: Previous experience in dealing with law enforcement agencies, experience in UN Missions, International Peacekeeping or Emergency Missions.

Skills

• Ability to develop and manage strategic direction and transform it into a results-oriented work programme.
• Ability to evaluate international political problems and provide leadership in managing conflict situations.
• Excellent managerial skills and judgement, able to manage and coordinate multilevel projects.
• Demonstrated professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 117,953 (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 8915 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.
• 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 Manual.

• 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.

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• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• Special selection procedures may apply.