Job Description

June 9, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-25

Associate Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Associate Field Security Officer coordinates and supports all activities pertaining to workforce security and security for forcibly displaced and stateless people. The duty of the incumbent is to support, develop plans and monitor the management of security issues.

The incumbent is supervised by a senior officer who defines the work objectives and provides general guidance. The incumbent contacts are predominantly with other UN agencies, implementing partners and government departments on relevant subject matters at the working level.

All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Advise and support the Representative or the Head of Office in managing the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, partners, operations, premises, and forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Undertake and advise on Security Risk Management (SRM) and support in compliance with security measures and identify areas needing improvement.
• Support the development of security plans for evacuation/relocation, medical evacuation, and other security contingencies.
• In cooperation with UNHCR senior personnel, assist in ensuring that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
• As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Establish and build relationships with security-related actors on behalf of UNHCR, including host government law enforcement authorities, the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and partner agencies.
• Support UNHCR management as members of the country Security Management Team (SMT) or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), and Area Security Coordinators (ASC).
• Represent UNHCR at the Security Cell as required.
• Provide country-relevant security advice and training to UNHCR personnel and, where appropriate, to personnel of NGOs and operational partners.
• Conduct rehearsals and practical exercises to ensure that personnel are familiar with security contingency plans and can implement them confidently in an emergency.
• Establish communication mechanisms in support of security plans, providing training to personnel, including wardens.
• Prepare periodic reports on security issues in accordance with UNSMS and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and, as appropriate, regional security coordinators and the Field Security Service.
• Maintain linkages with the Psychosocial Wellbeing Section, and the Medical Service, referring cases as required.
• Ensure a person-centered approach to all aspects of UNHCR security risk management, including the diverse personal profiles of personnel and the development of appropriate support and measures.
• Undertake other security-related functions or responsibilities as necessitated by the operational context.
• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues, and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Security Management; Risk Management; Political Science;

International Relations; or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program; First Aid Training;

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Not specified.

Desirable

Relevant trainings (first aid, etc.). Experience in having established working networks with law enforcement and other security actors.

Functional Skills

FS-Security Risk Management

FS-Security Analysis

FS-National Security Forces

FS-National Law Enforcement Agency

FS-Security Planning

CO-Drafting and Documentation

IT-Computer Literacy

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired candidate for the post is a person with a knowledge and experience with UNHCR and UNSMS with at lest 5 years of experience. The candidate should be proficient in English and Arabic languages (oral and written). Candidates with knowledge of procurement policies and design of security measures will have priority in the recruitment process.

All candidates for the NOB post should have valid functional clearance from RB MENA security section.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

The position is in country office Damascus, Syria. Damascus has a security risk level "Substantial". The position has also a coordination side with the field security units in the sub offices in Syria.

Living and Working Conditions:

The position will be in Country Office Damascus.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Drafting and Documentation, FS-National Law Enforcement Agency, FS-National Security Forces, FS-Security Analysis, FS-Security Planning, FS-Security Risk Management, IT-Computer Literacy

Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Risk Management, Bachelor of Arts: Security Management

Certifications

First Aid Training - Other, Security Management Learning Program - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

Additional Information

“No late applications will be accepted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants”

This position requires Functional Clearance