Job Highlight
Drive impactful security operations by providing essential administrative and specialized support to ensure a safe and secure environment.
About the Region
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding – including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners – including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies – to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.
About the Country/Multi-Country Office
Not Required – part of GPO/NYPO
Job Specific Context
The post is located in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC ROSEN) in Dakar, Senegal. The incumbent will work under the overall authority of the Regional Representative of UNODC ROSEN and of the Security Adviser – Field Operations in the Division for Operations in UNODC Vienna. He/She will coordinate on safety and security matters with the security focal points of the UNODC programme offices in West and Central Africa.
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners’ programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.
UNOPS has signed a Global Agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to operationally support the implementation of their mandate through the provision of Human Resources services The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1997 to assist member states in their efforts to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism, is one of the partners under UNTSS.
Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, UNODC operates globally to support the development and implementation of policies and programmes that address a wide range of issues, including drug trafficking and abuse, organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and terrorism prevention. Through research, policy advice, capacity-building, and technical assistance, UNODC works to strengthen justice systems, promote international cooperation, and uphold the rule of law and human rights in the fight against transnational threats.
UNODC and UNOV are currently undergoing a global reclassification exercise of all their LICA positions. This process may impact the final LICA level and the fee associated with this LICA assignment. The LICA level indicated in this vacancy announcement is therefore indicative and subject to change. The contract may be issued, or as the case may be re-issued, with a different LICA level. The fee on issuance of the contract may not reflect the standard LICA fee level 1/1. The fee may be adjusted during or following the completion of the reclassification exercise, but will not be lower than the fee indicated in the initial contract.
Role Purpose
The Security Associate provides a broad range of administrative and specialized support services to ensure the effective management of safety and security operations. The incumbent assists in promoting a proactive client-oriented approach in line with UNODC policies and procedures and United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) standards. The role helps to facilitate timely information exchange and supports the resolution of security-related issues and compliance with UN security standards for personnel, premises, and field activities to ensure a safe and secure operating environment.
Functions / Key Results Expected
Security Operations Support
- Gather, verify and update security information and data to support the analysis of security situations, including preparedness levels, risk assessments, and the development of security plans and self-assessment programmes for mandatory mitigation measures.
- Participate, on behalf of UNODC, in the elaboration and review of various security documents, including Security Risk Management (SRM), Ad‑hoc SRM, Residential Security Measures (RSM), and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field missions, in collaboration with security focal points in different UNODC field offices and the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).Maintain accurate and up-to-date personnel lists and information related to UNODC offices, residences, project sites, security focal points, and the warden system to support implementation of the office security plan.
- Represent UNODC ROSEN at technical meetings related to safety and security management at the UN House in Senegal, and establish contact with national authorities in Senegal (the gendarmerie and police) to facilitate and follow up on queries concerning the security of UNODC personnel and premises.Disseminate relevant information and updates on the security situation in West and Central Africa.
- Compile and tabulate data and survey results to support the monitoring and reporting of compliance with required security measures in the twenty (22) countries covered by UNODC ROSEN, with a particular focus on the countries where the Regional Field Office has a physical presence.
- Document and assist in the reporting of security incidents affecting personnel, offices and assets.
- Represent UNODC, when required and authorized, at Security Cell meetings to note of the discussions and share routine information with colleagues and relevant stakeholders.
- Follow up on routine security-related actions on behalf of the UNODC ROSEN Regional
- Representative and provide updates on progress and outcomes.
- Provide administrative support for the organization of security awareness and preparedness training and assist as a resource person when required.
- Conduct basic security briefings for newly arrived personnel, assigned.
- Offer guidance and information to personnel on routine security procedures, communication protocols, and designated focal points.
- Administer security clearance processes, including requests for access to UNODC offices and facilities.
- Coordinate closely with UNDSS office to provide information and support related to UNODC security matters.
Operations
- Provide general administrative and logistical support for the work area, ensuring effective information flow and timely follow-up on correspondence, initiatives, and queries with internal and external stakeholders, including Security Focal Points of UN agencies and UNDSS.
- Organize meetings and briefings; arrange appointments; receive visitors; handle and screen telephone calls; respond to routine queries with discretion; and take minutes or notes at meetings as directed by supervisors.
- Prepare a variety of documents, reports, tables, databases, and charts, applying appropriate technical and formatting skills.
- Facilitate emergency communications by operating specialized data and communication equipment, including satellite phones, VHF, and HF radios.
- Maintain organized and secure files and records, including routine and confidential correspondence, ensuring the safeguarding of sensitive information.
- Ensure the coordination with the head of UNODC programme offices and the Security focal points in each of the country where the regional field office had a physical presence.
Knowledge Building and Sharing
- Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on security topics.
- Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from the implementation of security projects/ initiatives.
- Conduct research on security-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.
Skills
Emergency Management, Incident Response, Personnel Security, Physical Security, Risk Assessment
Competencies
Education Requirements
Required
- Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant experience OR
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience is required.
Experience Requirements
Required
- Relevant experience is work in security operations, including incident reporting, security administration support, security communications, warden system, etc., or related areas.
- Knowledge about the UNSMS and UN stadards on safety and security..
- Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.
Desired
- Experience working with UNDSS or as a security focal point within UN agencies, programmes, and funds.
- Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
- Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
Language Requirements
- Language Proficiency Level Requirement
- English Fluent Required
- French Fluent Required
Additional Information
UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with
UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
For more details about the contract types, please click here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
Posting End Date: 02-Aug-2026.
Duration: Three months (with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance).
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