Job Description

August 12, 2026

E (most hardship)

Non Family with Residential Location

Nairobi (CO), Kenya

NOB

National Professional Officer

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-09-01

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.

The candidate should have demonstrated experience working in high-risk/hardship environments and with proven experience in drafting robust and detailed security analysis drawing the information from various sources including from the communities outlining the triggers and trends and security outlook in line with the current and evolving situation and context and putting in place the mitigating measures for personnel and asset security, and the People We Serve.
Experience in implementing person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes is key. S/He is experienced in effectively handling gender-based security incidents.
S/He should have relevant trainings (first aid, Women’s Security Awareness Training (WSAT), Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE), and as well as conducting security trainings for staff/personnel.
S/He should have demonstrated experience in establishing networks and effectively working with the host country Government security authorities, and in providing detailed and timely security reports, trends analysis, and suggested measures.
The candidate should have demonstrated managerial and team management skills particularly in effectively working with security team in the unit, and protection, operations, admin and other units.
The candidate should have proven coordination and interpersonal and communication skills in effectively working, internally and externally, with diverse stakeholders in managing the security and safety.

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

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

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

Nature of Position:

UNHCR Sub-Office Kakuma covers operational area includes Kakuma municipality including the refugee hosting areas and integrated settlements. Kakuma is located in Turkana County in the north-western region of Kenya and is about 720.4 Km from Nairobi. Kakuma municipality has a total population of around 530,000 people including over 320,000 refugees and asylum seekers from around 23 nationalities. Currently, within the progressive policies and pioneering approaches of the Kenyan Government i.e. the Shirika Plan at the national level, and the Kalobeyei Integrated Socioeconomic Development Plan (KISEDP) at county level, the UNHCR and partners are working ensuring the protection assistance and supporting socioeconomic inclusion of refugees and host communities. Besides, there are about 200 new arrivals per week to Kakuma, and all these are initially hosted in two reception centres in prior to the registration and accordingly transferred to the refugee hosting areas. Two field posts provide various services for refugees and asylum seekers. Government through the presence of national and county security teams ensures the safety and security in Kakuma municipality, including in the refugee hosting areas. The staffing of UNHCR included around 68 including 7 internationals, and all reside in UNHCR compound. Other UN agencies in Kakuma includes WFP, UNICEF, UNHABITAT, FAO, and UNDSS. While WFP has its own compound, other UN agencies are hosted at UNHCR compound. Further, there are about 63 partners, both UNHCR-funded and operational, working in Kakuma and stay in two separate compounds that were built by UNHCR. The ASMT, with UNHCR Head of Sub Office as the ASC, is responsible for security management in the SRM-1 area covering 19 counties. The overall security situation in Kakuma has been calm and while UNHCR (and or UN) operations have not been directly affected by insecurity, operations and program delivery modalities are constantly reviewed and the security posture adjusted in order to mitigate the risks. Further, the Kenya Police and a private guard company provide the security to the UNHCR compound the facilities across Kakuma Municipality.

The Associate Field Security Officer, reporting to the Head of Sub Office, will supervise the Security staff. S/he will establish close working relations with all the units (e.g. protection, operations and solutions including technical sectors, supply, administration and risk management and compliance etc.) ensuring the safety and security of personnel and operations. S/He will be responsible for coordinating with the relevant Government authorities on matters related to security and safety. AFSO is expected to maintain excellent and effective working relationships with all the Partners on matters related to security and safety. S/He is responsible for providing Sub Office Senior Management with in-depth security analysis across Kakuma Municipality including within communities and of evolving situations to facilitate having in place effective mitigating measures. The AFSO will participate in ASMT meetings and is expected to provide detailed analytical notes in addition to the ASMT reports. Further, S/He will provide relevant security related trainings for staff and as required for partners; and implement person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes.

Living and Working Conditions:

Kenya is a country that enjoys social stability resulting from the smooth functioning of state institutions with a good level of infrastructure (e.g., roads, distribution of water, electricity, etc.) and a popular tourist destination. The current UN Security Level in the capital and in SRM Area 1A: Northern Rift Valley (Kakuma, Lodwar) is Moderate -3. All UN personnel must comply with UNDSS security procedures and recommendations during their assignment to Kakuma. Kakuma is a non-family duty station with a hardship classified- E. Its living conditions are difficult, but the social climate is calm. The weather is hot, dry and sunny. Windy storms are common in December and more pronounced in January till March. Staff live in UNHCR-provided accommodation; the facilities are generally of acceptable condition. The incumbent will be briefed on conditions of accommodations, laundry, meals, communications, air and road transports, recreations and other relevant information. However, staff members are charged a rental fee predetermined by the organization paid upfront monthly. There are limited banking facilities at Kakuma with two banks (Equity & Kenya Commercial Bank) having branches locally. You can withdraw cash from automatic teller machines (ATM) found in all banks in Kakuma. Internet and communications networks are available at the compound with fairly speed. The mobile telephone remains stable with 3G network. Climatic conditions are relatively harsh, and despite fumigation of the compound, insects and even snakes are present in the environment on seasonal climate changes. UNHCR has established a satellite level 1 JMS medical clinic in the compound in 2020 following COVID-19 situation readily available 24/7 hours; there is also Kakuma Mission Hospital where a doctor/Surgeon is deployed and paid for by UNHCR to provide assistance to refugees, but special arrangements can be made during emergencies for staff members. There are also some pharmacies within Kakuma with basic medical facilities. Evacuation opportunities are limited. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory and vaccination cards should be updated. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs.

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

This position requires Functional Clearance