Senior Security Officer, Nairobi

General Information

Position Title:

Senior Security Officer

Job Category:

Security

Duty Station(s):

Nairobi

Seniority Level:

Mid Level

ICS Level:

ICS 09

Contract Type:

ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular

Contract Level:

LICA 9

Posting Start Date:

02-Jul-2026

Posting End Date:

16-Jul-2026

Duration:

Open ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Job Highlight

Provide senior security coordination and advisory support to ESAMCO, enabling program delivery, informed management decisions, and consistent application of UNSMS requirements across the office's area of responsibility

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS' commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

Job Specific Context

The Security Senior Officer manages, coordinates, and provides expert advice on all security and safety matters affecting UNOPS personnel, assets, projects, and operations within the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) area of responsibility. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the incumbent provides security support and advisory services across Kenya and other countries within the ESAMCO portfolio where dedicated security capacity is lacking. The incumbent may also provide surge support to other offices within the Africa Region, as required.

The incumbent operates within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), ensuring that UNOPS personnel, assets, and programs are protected through sound risk management, proactive security planning, emergency preparedness, and effective coordination with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), host-government authorities, and other partners. The incumbent is expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgment and operate with substantial independence while providing expert security advice and coordination support across a geographically dispersed and operationally diverse portfolio.

The position is functionally and technically supervised by the Regional Security Adviser, Africa Region, who serves as the primary supervisor for technical and performance matters. The Director of the ESA Multi-Country Office exercises administrative supervision. The incumbent works in close coordination with country management teams and other stakeholders across the ESAMCO portfolio to ensure effective implementation of security risk management measures and compliance with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements.

Role Purpose

The Security Senior Officer manages, coordinates, and provides expert advice on all security and safety matters affecting UNOPS operations and projects. Ensuring that UNOPS personnel, assets, and programs are protected through sound risk management, proactive security planning, and effective coordination with UNDSS, government authorities, and other partners. The incumbent is expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgment and operate with substantial independence while supporting management in maintaining an effective and compliant security framework.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Security Risk Management and Advisory

• Provide security advice and support to management and personnel operating within their Area of Responsibility (AoR) and maintain awareness of security developments affecting operational activities.
• Conduct and regularly update Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) for UNOPS offices, project sites, and travel routes within their AoR, identifying threats and vulnerabilities and recommending appropriate mitigation measures.
• Develop and maintain local security management arrangements within their AoR consistent with UNSMS standards and adapted to the local operating context.
• Provide technical security advice and guidance on program design, project implementation, and operational decision-making within their AoR.
• Support the inclusion of safety and security components in project proposals and budgets within their AoR to ensure sufficient resourcing for risk mitigation measures.
• Review and update Security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with Security Risk Management (SRM) requirements, Residential Security Measures (RSMs), and other mandatory frameworks within their AoR.
• In performing these functions, the incumbent maintains continuous situational awareness of security developments within their AoR portfolio and provides timely analysis and recommendations to management to support operational decision-making. The incumbent is expected to assess emerging threats and vulnerabilities independently, develop appropriate mitigation measures, and provide security guidance to personnel and managers operating in diverse environments, ranging from urban centers to remote field locations.

Operational Security Coordination

• Maintains effective coordination with UNDSS offices, host-government authorities, United Nations agencies, and other relevant stakeholders throughout their AoR, ensuring timely information exchange and coherent implementation of security measures. The incumbent also supports security requirements associated with missions, deployments, and operational activities in countries where no dedicated security personnel are present.
• Support the coordination of personnel travel security clearances within their AoR, ensuring compliance with UNDSS procedures and timely submissions through the TRIP platform or other authorized systems.
• Advise on safe access strategies for field missions in high-risk areas, including risk mitigation planning, convoy coordination, and communication protocols within their AoR.
• Ensure that UNOPS compounds, offices, and residences within their AoR meet required safety standards and are equipped with adequate physical and procedural safeguards.
• Develop, implement, and oversee an annual security work plan and budget, including priorities such as fire safety, emergency preparedness, and mandatory mitigation measures.
• Manage and account for security equipment, including communication and monitoring systems, ensuring functionality and compliance with operational needs.
• Represent UNOPS in Security Cell meetings and other security coordination mechanisms and provide management with timely updates and recommendations on security developments affecting operations within the area of responsibility.

Support to Project Managers on Implementing Partner (IP) Security Aspects

• Provide technical guidance to project managers on security risk considerations related to implementing partners (IPs), in line with donor/ partner and UNSMS requirements.
• Advise on integrating risk management provisions into IP documentation, terms of reference (ToRs), and operational plans.
• Review IP security reports or deliverables, identify potential risks, and propose mitigation measures as needed.
• Clarify that IPs retain full responsibility for their own security management, personnel safety, and duty of care in line with contractual obligations (with UNOPS maintaining an advisory role only).
• Support project managers in assessing whether IP security arrangements meet minimum standards while refraining from direct oversight or enforcement of IP security operations.

Incident Management and Reporting

• Serves as a key focal point for significant incidents affecting UNOPS personnel, assets, and operations across the ESAMCO portfolio and supports management during crises, evacuations, relocations, and other emergencies in coordination with UNDSS and relevant stakeholders. The incumbent ensures that lessons learned are captured and incorporated into future planning and preparedness activities.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of Security Incident Reports (SIRs) and maintain an accurate incident log for monitoring and trend analysis.
• Support investigations and inquiries into security incidents or accidents as required, ensuring that lessons learned are incorporated into operational planning.
• Maintain effective emergency communication systems and ensure that all personnel are familiar with incident reporting and escalation procedures.
• Support coordination and leadership during evacuations, relocations, or other crisis responses, ensuring alignment with UNDSS protocols and UNOPS contingency plans.
• Support management within the AoR during crises, relocations, and evacuations in coordination with UNDSS and relevant stakeholders.

Training, Awareness, and Capacity Development

• Promotes a culture of security awareness and accountability throughout the ESAMCO portfolio and supports the development of local capacities through mentoring, training, and the dissemination of best practices, ensuring that personnel understand their responsibilities under the United Nations Security Management System.
• Deliver security briefings and inductions to newly deployed personnel, consultants, and visitors.
• Conduct refresher sessions on personal security, travel safety, fire prevention, and emergency procedures.
• Lead the training, mentoring, and capacity development of security personnel to enhance local capability.
• Promote security awareness among personnel and IPs to foster a culture of vigilance, compliance, and proactive risk management.
• Coordinate with UNDSS to organize joint security awareness and preparedness training, including simulations and drills.

Compliance, Monitoring, and Documentation

• Periodically reviews the implementation of security measures across offices and project locations and advises management on gaps, priorities, and corrective actions required to ensure continued compliance with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements. Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining effective emergency preparedness arrangements and supporting the organization's duty of care obligations towards personnel and eligible dependents.
• Maintain up-to-date security documentation, including personnel and dependent contact lists, warden systems, and emergency notification procedures.
• Monitor adherence to mandatory security mitigation measures to ensure that UNOPS premises and personnel remain compliant with UNSMS requirements.
• Support country leadership and the Field Security Advisor in ensuring operational and documentation compliance with UNSMS and UNOPS security policies.
• Review, update, and test the business continuity plan (BCP) to ensure readiness for emergencies and operational disruptions.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date, multi-sourced country files on security assessments, plans, and advisories for decision-making and audit purposes.

Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Support the organization, facilitation, and delivery of training and learning sessions within the AoR on security topics.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from the implementation of security projects/ initiatives.
• Research security-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries, and briefing notes.

Skills

• Emergency Management, Incident Response, Personal Security, Physical Security, Risk Assessment

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others.
• For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

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