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

D

Non Family with Residential Location

Dakar, Senegal

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Field Security Officer reports to the manager, who may be, according to context, the Representative/Chief of Mission or Head of Office within a country operation, the Senior Field Security Officer; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; the Head of Security Operations Unit at Headquarters, or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.

The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security, providing sound, well- reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.

The incumbent may directly supervise security personnel. The incumbent may, depending on the context, be expected to monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.

The Field Security Officer may be expected to travel on mission to multiple duty stations to provide advice and support to the local manager as agreed in mission terms of reference.

All UNHCR personnel 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, personnel 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 manager on all aspects of security risk management, crisis readiness and preparedness with regard to maintaining the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, operations, and facilities.
• Participate in the development or update of the Security Risk Management (SRM) process for designated areas and undertake security risk assessments/ad hoc SRM analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
• Monitor compliance with standards established through the SRM process.
• Ensure person-centered approaches are included in the SRM processes and that Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) are appropriate. Develop and update all relevant tools and processes to respond to gender-based security incidents.

• Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contribute to the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) plans and planning for relocation/evacuation, medical evacuation and other contingencies, test plans in exercises or drills to ensure that personnel are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them effectively in an emergency.

• Ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning, including budgetary provisions, at the earliest stages of development.
• Coordinate and assist in management of critical incidents and post-incident processes reporting to the manager, Senior Field Security Coordinator and FSS.
• As a member of a multi-functional team, contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons by providing security assessments, analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
• Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors, including Host Government law enforcement authorities, the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), and other UNSMS security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood.
• Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the country's Security Management Team (SMT), or Area Security Management Team (ASMT), Area Security Coordinators (ASC), and Wardens actively participating in relevant security cell representing UNHCR.

• Provide country-relevant, security advice and training which is person-centered and gender inclusive to UNHCR personnel, and where feasible to staff of NGOs and Partners in areas In line with UNSMS and UNHCR standards. Coordinate training with security management training unit of the Global Learning Development Centre.
• Prepare periodic analytical reports on security issues in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures, sharing with managers in the country of assignment and as relevant the Senior Field Security Coordinator in the region and Field Security Section (FSS).

• 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 P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Security; Security Management; Business Administration;

Political Science; Social Science; International Relations;

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program, Security Risk Management, Safety and security,

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

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable

Proven experience in security analysis, security management or security training. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working in or with humanitarian NGOs. Experience in implementing person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes. Relevant training (first aid, Women’s Security Awareness Training (WSAT), Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE), presentation skills, facilitation of training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience in effectively handling gender-based security incidents. Experience in delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills

*FS-Security risk management

*FS-Field Security Operations

*FS-Security Planning

*FS-UN/UNHCR Rules, Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management

FS-Crisis negotiation and ManagementFS-Security Analysis

(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

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Performance

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:
• Relevant experience as security staff in demanding emergency contexts dealing with intricate security issues
• Strong knowledge of the UN SMS and experience in inter agency coordination on security related matters and proven experience in security Risk Management in an international capacity, with excellent reporting and analytical skills.
• Previous involvement in operations with a strong advocacy agenda on humanitarian access issues and interaction with high-level government security forces
• Certificate in Security Management Learning programme, Security Risk Management, Safety and Security, in advising and in implementation of Security measures in situations of heightened risks
• Proficiency in French language

Desirable Attributes:
• Potential in terms of capacity building and coaching to better support the UNHCR’s national security personnel.
• Prior experience in the Sahel countries

French

,

,

,

,

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:

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the UNHCR’s Representative in Burkina Faso. S/He will act as an adviser to the Representative and the senior management on field security/safety issues, providing sound, well-reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps. S/He is expected to provide practical and well-reasoned security advice and analysis. The incumbent will monitor, coach, guide and support UNHCR’s national security personnel. S/He will also work very closely with UNDSS team in Burkina Faso.

Sensitive security context could put certain nationalities, like white skin people (European, American or Asiatic) at risk. As Field Security, the incumbent needs to travel to high-risk areas facing terrorist activities, resulting to casualties and kidnappings.

UNHCR's operation in Burkina Faso includes as of 31 December 2025, 42,962 refugees and asylum seekers who had to flee their country of origin because of the socio-political crisis that prevail since February 2012. The majority of refugees live with the community and in the site of Ouezin in the Sahel region. Others are living in border areas and in the two biggest cities of Burkina.

Due to insecurity, people in Burkina Faso have been uprooted from their homes due to the presence of terrorist groups, increased criminality and ongoing counterterrorism operations which expose the civilian populations to violence. The number of people moving inland continues to increase particularly in the Liptako, Soum and Kuilse regions. As of 31 March 2023, their number amounted to 2 062,588 displaced. At the end of 2025, the government also reported that more than one (1) million IDPs have returned to their areas of origin and need solutions-oriented support.

The security situation in northern Burkina has led to cross-border movements of several Burkinabe. More than 95% of the IDPs are living in host community households, who are no longer able to absorb the continuous and multiple displacements.

Living and Working Conditions:

Burkina Faso has basic infrastructures, including in the health sector. In Ouagadougou, there are more than 20 health clinics and hospitals, but only nine are recommended by the UN System.

Epidemics and other disease outbreaks are common in the operational area.

Ouagadougou is a non-family duty station and education is generally in French, however there is also a US English school. Currently, international appointed staff members are not authorized to bring their families to Burkina Faso. Banking services available include more than five international banks among which two are recommended by the UN System (United Bank of Africa and Ecobank).

Hot and dry desert environment with high daylight temperature fluctuations.

In the field, due to security-borne restrictions, the office has built some well-organized guest houses where all staff are advised to reside during field missions (in FU Djibo, FO Dori, Fada N’Gourma). However, UNDSS-approved hotels are available in Ouagadougou as well as in other major towns across the country.Housing in Ouagadougou is mainly individual houses and are easily available. Electricity is very expensive, and a backup generator is recommended.

Ouagadougou is a D duty station with an 8-week R&R cycle. The R&R location is in Ghana.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts: International Relations, Bachelor of Arts: Political Science, Bachelor of Arts: Security, Bachelor of Arts: Security Management, Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

Safety and Security - Other, Security Management Learning Program - Other, Security Risk Management - Other

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Managing performance, 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