Senior Security Officer Full-Time

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peace-building, humanitarian, and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.”-Ban Ki-moon, former United Nations Secretary-General.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations worldwide. UNOPS delivers projects on behalf of partners, ensuring quality, efficiency, and adherence to the highest standards of safety and security.

In Mozambique, UNOPS supports the Government and partners in implementing large-scale reconstruction, resilience, and humanitarian programmes in challenging operational environments. The office projects include the Northern Crisis Recovery Project (NCRP), funded by the World Bank, which aims to improve access to basic services, livelihoods, and economic opportunities for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities in Cabo Delgado Province. The security environment in northern Mozambique, particularly Cabo Delgado, is characterised by armed conflict, insurgency activity, and fluid security dynamics. The operational environment requires proactive and context-specific security risk management measures to ensure the safety of UNOPS.

Background Information – Mozambique

As part of the IDP crisis response, the Northern Crisis Recovery Project in Mozambique is financed by the International Development Association (IDA) for the amount of US$186.5 million. The Project Development Objective is to improve access to basic services and economic opportunities for internally displaced persons and host communities in targeted areas of Northern Mozambique. The Project is implemented by the National Directorate of Monitoring and Evaluation (DNMA), through the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). The Project retains and makes use of existing Financial Management (FM) capacities and project oversight systems.

The Government contracted UNOPS to provide overall technical support to Project implementation, including the preparation of Environmental and Social Safeguards instruments, based on the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Frameworks (ESF); as well as support in M&E. UNOPS is further tasked with the implementation of distinct project components.

The Project has four components:

• Component 1 – Building social cohesion and resilience to conflict
• Component 2 – Provision of livelihoods and economic opportunities for IDPs and host communities
• Component 3 – Rehabilitation of public infrastructure and
• Component 4 – Project management and oversight

UNOPS is looking for a Security Officer to assist with security risk management for all UNOPS Personnel in Mozambique, project workers, and beneficiaries through the implementation of a Security Management Plan that has been prepared specifically for the project.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Security Officer serves as the primary security focal point for UNOPS Mozambique in Pemba, providing technical security risk management advice and operational support across all UNOPS Mozambique projects. While the position is funded through the World Bank–supported NCRP, it also contributes security advisory services to other UNOPS projects in the country as required, without reallocation of project-specific resources or accountability.

The role focuses on:

• Ensuring security risk management measures are in place for UNOPS personnel and assets.
• Advising Project Managers on security considerations in project planning and implementation.
• Supporting the Country Manager in maintaining compliance with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) policies.
•  Providing technical advice to Project Managers on security risk mitigation measures related to Implementing Partners (IPs), without assuming operational control, direct oversight, or accountability for IP activities or personnel.

Functional Responsibilities

Security Risk Management and Advisory

• Serve as the primary security focal point for the UNOPS Mozambique office.
• Advise the Country Manager and Project Managers on security risks affecting UNOPS personnel, premises, and operations.
• Conduct and update security risk assessments for UNOPS offices, project sites, and travel routes.
• Adapt and maintain local security management arrangements in line with UNSMS standards and the Mozambique context, ensuring consistency with existing system-wide security frameworks.
• Provide security risk assessments and technical advice upon request, to inform project-related activities and operational decision-making, in accordance with UNSMS policies.

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

• Following World Bank requirements and the Security Management Plan (SMP), provide technical security advice to Project Managers on the inclusion of risk management in IP documentation and plans.
• This role does not entail direct oversight, operational control, or accountability for IP activities, personnel, or security arrangements. IPs remain fully responsible for their security management and duty of care under their contractual obligations.
• Assist Project Managers in reviewing security-related aspects of IP TORs and reports, identifying potential risks, and advising on possible mitigation measures.
• Responsibility for implementation, monitoring, and enforcement with IPs rests entirely with the Project Manager and the contracting authority.

Operational Security Coordination

• Maintain situational awareness by liaising with UNDSS, government security actors, humanitarian agencies, and other partners.
• Support security coordination for UNOPS personnel movements, ensuring compliance with UNSMS procedures.
• Provide advice on safe access strategies to field sites in insecure areas.

Training and Awareness

• Deliver security briefings and inductions for newly deployed UNOPS personnel.
• Conduct periodic refresher sessions on personal safety, travel security, and emergency procedures.
• Lead the training, mentoring, and capacity development of the National Security Officer to enhance local security management capabilities.

Incident Management and Reporting

• Serve as the focal point for reporting and analysing security and safety (according to UNSMS Security Policy Manual) incidents affecting UNOPS personnel or operations.
• Maintain accurate incident records and ensure lessons learned are integrated into security planning.

Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain updated security documentation, including but not limited to contact lists, warden systems, and emergency communication procedures.
• Support the Country Manager in ensuring compliance with SRM requirements.

Impact of Results

The effective performance of the Security Officer will enhance the safety and security of UNOPS personnel and operations in Mozambique, enabling the uninterrupted delivery of projects in high-risk environments. The role ensures that security considerations are systematically integrated into project implementation, while respecting the distinct accountability lines between UNOPS and Implementing Partners.

Education/ Experience/ Language Requirements

Education

• An advanced university degree in Security Management, Political or Social Sciences, Law, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience

• Two (2) years of relevant professional experience in security risk management, preferably in complex or conflict-affected environments with a Master’s degree or four (4) years experience with a bachelor’s degree is required.
• Experience in the Mozambique security context is desirable.
• Experience with UNSMS policies and procedures is desirable.
• Proven ability to conduct security risk assessments and develop mitigation measures is desirable.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is required.
• Portuguese is desirable.

Think big. Meet challenges head-on. Help people build better lives.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce is made up of people from varied nationalities, cultures and races. They speak a range of languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.

We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. Click apply and join us!

Remarks: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.