Job Description

Please note that this vacancy is only open to eligible staff members who have been individually notified of their eligibility to apply for positions advertised in the Accelerated Posting Compendium.

June 12, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

PR2

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

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.

"Essential Attributes
• Proven experience in security management, including risk assessment and operational coordination in high-risk, conflict-affected and fragile environments influenced by armed groups.
• Demonstrated experience operating in restricted access environments, with ability to support secure humanitarian access while balancing operational priorities and duty of care.
• Strong analytical experience in monitoring and assessing evolving security dynamics (armed groups, intercommunal tensions, criminality) and contributing to risk analysis and mitigation measures.
• Experience collaborating with UNDSS, UN agencies, local authorities and humanitarian partners, including in integrated mission settings and inter-agency coordination fora (e.g. Security Cell, ASMT/SMT).
• Experience integrating security considerations into operations, including security planning, contingency measures and community acceptance approaches in coordination with protection and programme functions.
• Proficiency in French language

Desirable Attributes
• Experience in UN mission environments with integrated DSS structures and collaboration with Armed/Force Protection actors (AFPs).
• Experience contributing to security and criminality trend analysis and operational mitigation strategies.
• Familiarity with access constraints management and enabling programme delivery in insecure and volatile environments.
• Experience working with protection monitoring and non-security actors on community acceptance analysis."

French

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Bunia is classified as a Security Level 3 and E duty station affected by insecurity linked to the activities of armed and terrorist groups, intercommunal tensions, and anti-UN sentiment. Medical infrastructure and medical evacuation capacities remain limited, while public electricity and water supply are unreliable. Malaria and psychological stress associated with the operational context remain significant concerns. Strict compliance with UNDSS security measures and health precautions is therefore required.

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station, please visit this link:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

As of 1 January 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts approximately 604,000 refugees and asylum-seekers, as well as more than 6.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), mainly located in the provinces of Ituri, Kasai, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika. As the lead agency of the Protection Cluster, UNHCR continues to play a key role in supporting the Government of the DRC in implementing durable solutions strategies aimed at breaking cycles of protracted displacement across the country.

The Bunia Field Office provides protection and assistance to South Sudanese refugees in Ituri and Haut-Uele Provinces through an integrated service delivery approach designed to promote self-reliance and advance alternatives-to-camps policies. In collaboration with the National Commission for Refugees (CNR) and implementing partners, the Office operates in four refugee sites — Bele, Meri, Biringi, and Adumi — the latter established following new influxes from South Sudan in December 2025. The Office also pays particular attention to thousands of refugees living within host communities along the border, who continue to face significant security risks, food insecurity, and limited access to basic social services.

In addition, the Office leads the Protection, Shelter/NFI, and CCCM Clusters, supporting approximately 927,743 displaced persons, underscoring the scale and persistence of displacement across the province. Ongoing insecurity in Ituri has undermined efforts to preserve the civilian and humanitarian character of displacement sites due to the infiltration of armed elements and weak local governance structures. The fragmentation of non-state armed groups (NSAGs) has limited the impact of peace initiatives, while persistent insecurity continues to restrict humanitarian access, disrupt essential services, and hamper economic recovery.

The provinces of Ituri, North Kivu — particularly Beni, Lubero, and Butembo — and Haut-Uele continue to face a highly volatile and unpredictable security environment due to the persistent activities of armed groups, including the ADF, CODECO, and other local militias. These groups regularly conduct attacks against civilians, security forces, and humanitarian actors, causing significant displacement and heightened protection risks. In Ituri Province, the state of siege remains in force, reflecting the gravity of the security situation. Major security risks include armed criminality, kidnappings, intercommunal tensions, civil unrest, and occasional demonstrations. Additional hazards include road traffic accidents, particularly involving motorcycles, as well as health risks such as cholera and Mpox outbreaks, flooding, landslides, and destructive storms during the rainy season.

The AFSA will be based in Bunia and will oversee security operations in Aru, Faradje, Bunia town, and the northern part of North Kivu Province, including Beni, Lubero, and Butembo territories. The incumbent will be supported by SAFSAs based in Beni and Faradje.

Living and Working Conditions:

Bunia is a small town serving as the capital of Ituri Province. Its population was estimated at approximately 692,836 inhabitants in 2026. The town has a national airport receiving UNHAS and MONUSCO flights from Entebbe. Public electricity supply remains unreliable, and access to public water supply is also limited and inconsistent.

While Bunia’s population has grown rapidly due to displacement in Ituri Province, urban infrastructure has not expanded at the same pace. Housing conditions remain generally modest and below international standards. Nevertheless, Bunia offers moderate housing opportunities, including secure compounds and furnished residences for humanitarian and expatriate staff. Availability remains limited, and rental prices are relatively high due to sustained demand from NGOs, UN agencies, and private sector actors.

The climate is tropical wet and dry. Medical facilities in Bunia remain limited and are not adequately equipped to manage serious medical conditions. Medical evacuation opportunities are constrained due to the limited number of flights, although daytime air ambulance evacuations can be arranged for life-threatening emergencies. Candidates with medical conditions requiring regular treatment or supervision should therefore be appropriately advised.

Malaria remains the most common disease in the area. As a general recommendation, applicants for the position should be psychologically prepared for the above-mentioned operational context.

Bunia is classified as an E duty station with a two-year Standard Assignment Length (SAL). Banking facilities remain limited. Telephone networks are not always reliable; however, the Office benefits from functional PAMA and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

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

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance