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

PR4

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

2026-05-26

Senior Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Senior 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 Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; or the Head of Security Operations Unit at Headquarters.

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 directly supervises or supports management in supervising security personnel. The incumbent will monitor, coach, guide and support security personnel.

The Senior Field Security Officer is 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

• Provide practical and well-reasoned security advice, coordination and support to the designated manager(s) in managing the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, Partners, operations, premises and refugees or other forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
• Monitor situations and events in the designated region, country or duty station, gather and analyse information with the aim of identifying emerging trends and providing early warning of any potential threats that may affect the safety and security of UNHCR personnel, premises, assets and impact programme delivery.
• Provide security analysis and reports to UNHCR managers and the Field Security Section at Headquarters (FSS) when required.
• Undertake overall contextual analysis, identify security-related priority needs, and develop an annual work plan for addressing them.
• Ensure person-centered approaches are included in the Security Risk Management (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.
• Conduct regular missions and assessments, providing person-centered and gender-inclusive security advice, training and coaching, as determined by the SRM process.
• Develop operational plans for implementation of security risk management measures for areas under their responsibility, identifying resources and ensuring they are factored into budgeting planning.
• Advise the manager on the reconciliation of humanitarian and security objectives in the region/country/duty station of responsibility, and on integrating security measures into operational planning (including budgetary provisions) at the earliest stages of development.
• Provide regular reporting on security-related incidents and events to the manager, the Regional Bureau and Field Security Section at Headquarters. Provide input on security aspects of situation reports and the potential impact on the safety and security of UNHCR personnel and programme delivery.
• Support the management of crises and critical incidents.
• Maintain effective liaison and relationships with UN Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) to include active participation in the country or area Security Cell. Maintain active liaison with Host Government law enforcement and other actors in the region/country/duty station to ensure effective and responsive partnership and support for UNHCR’s security and other needs.
• Provide training and coaching to staff and, as appropriate partners, both on mission and within the duty station of assignment, aimed at developing skills to plan and conduct operations safely within the specific security environment.

• Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 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

Minimum 5 years of experience in security risk management in an international capacity. Proven competence in security risk management, security planning and critical incident management. Demonstrated experience in security analysis and in training/facilitation/learning development. Experience in implementing person-centered and inclusive responses and approaches. Experience in team management. Experience working in multi-cultural environments.

Desirable

Exposure to and experience in UN or humanitarian field operations, especially in high risk duty stations, and emergencies in an international capacity in various geographical locations. Relevant training (first aid, Women’s Security Awareness Training (WSAT), Safe and Secure Approaches to Field Environments (SSAFE), presentation skills, training skills). 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 Analysis

*FS-Security Planning

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

(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

LeadershipLeadership

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Strategic Planning and Vision

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

Planning and Organizing

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 field security management within UNHCR or comparable humanitarian operations, including complex and high-risk environments.
• Strong knowledge and application of the UN Security Management System (UNSMS) and broader security risk management frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in security coordination with UN agencies, particularly UNDSS, including active participation in Security Management Team (SMT) mechanisms.
• Experience managing sensitive security matters and providing operational security support in complex field contexts.
• Proven experience supervising security functions and supporting both national and international staff within field operations.

Desirable Attributes
• Experience operating in large-scale or high-complexity operations with comparable security risk profiles.
• Experience reporting directly to senior management and contributing to operational decision-making in security-related matters.

,

,

Arabic

,

,

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 Senior Field Security Officer reports to the Representative and his function covers all security and safety matters of all offices in Syria, including country office where the position is located.

As the office is scaling up preparations for IDP and refugee returns, and with new areas becoming accessible, yet not completely safe, the tasks implied in the function of the Senior Field Security Officer have increased significantly; the conducting of Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) of new office locations and staff residential sites, and the identification and implementation of compliance measures related to Security Risk Management (SRM) and Residential Security Management (RSM), as well as assessment of the security situation in new areas/locations are only a few of the numerous security-related tasks that need to be conducted in connection with the expansion of UNHCR presence in new accessible operations areas. Apart from that, the incumbent of this position will be required, inter alia, to maintain an updated Business Continuity Plan, prepare and share with the Representative and senior management regular security analysis and reports, monitor staff compliance with the security requirements, represent the Office in the inter-agency Security Cell, and conduct regular revisions of the office programme criticality assessments.
The Senior FSO reports directly to the Country Representative and coordinates a sizeable team of international and national security personnel at the country office Damascus and in the field offices.

Living and Working Conditions:

The Syria operation remains highly complex due to the continued presence of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the potential for new displacement, and the anticipated large-scale return of Syrians from neighboring countries. At the same time, many IDPs are returning to their areas of origin. These significant challenges continue to affect both UNHCR beneficiaries and host communities across Syria.

Syria is a non-family duty station operating in a highly complex environment characterized by uncertainty and frequent security incidents. The movement of all personnel is restricted, coordinated, and closely monitored by security officers.

UN staff are accommodated in designated guesthouses or hotels in Damascus. Offices are located outside the accommodation facilities, specifically on Abdullah Ibn Rawaha Street in Kanawat Basatin, Kafarsouseh.

A UN Joint Clinic is available at the UNDP accommodation facility, providing basic medical services. However, there is a general shortage of medicines across the country. Staff who require medication on a special prescription are advised to travel with an adequate personal supply. UN-cleared medical facilities are available within Syria for emergency medical care.

The security situation is currently relatively calm; however, it remains volatile and can change at short notice. Movement within Damascus city is permitted, though a curfew is enforced from midnight to 6:00 a.m. Radio checks are conducted twice per week and are mandatory for all staff.

Travel to Beirut is conducted by road only, while travel to Jordan can be undertaken by both road and air. All movements utilize soft-skin vehicles, and shuttle services are facilitated by the office. The R&R cycle for Damascus is eight weeks, and staff are strongly encouraged not to delay their scheduled breaks.

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

Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers, Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons, Working with Persons of Concern: Others of Concern, Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs, Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees, Working with Persons of Concern: Stateless

Competencies

Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Negotiation & conflict resolution, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration

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

Compendium

Accelerated Posting Compendium 2026 - Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance