Senior Assessment Lead & Operations Coordinator, TESS Project

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Job Title: Senior Assessment Lead & Operations Coordinator, Telecommunications Security Standards Services (TESS)

Type of Contract: CST Level III

Division: TECF, Technology Division

Duty Station: Remote working

Duration: 11 months

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP Technology Division (TEC, formerly known as the IT Division) is the digital business engine of the World Food Programme, providing the business with multi-pronged and resilient technical capabilities able to respond with the agility required in humanitarian operations.

Humanitarian workers are increasingly exposed to security risks. The most complex and some of the largest operations are in conflict and insecure areas. Giving all humanitarian staff (UN and Non-Government Agencies and partners on the ground) access to reliable telecommunications services, by means of a Security Communications System (SCS), is of paramount importance and is a pre-requisite for our presence on the ground. Such services have been provided by a number of agencies to-date, and they are often the only way to communicate in remote areas. They are also one of the key tools to support people during security incidents.

In recent years, technology has radically advanced, and can help provide faster, cheaper and more effective support to humanitarian staff. To take advantage of these advances, a two year project (TElecom Security Standards, TESS) was initiated in 2018 to collaboratively develop updated common UN SCS standards and solutions, for connectivity (hardware) and applications (software) using both current and up-coming technologies. TESS was also requested to contribute to updated security guidance and procedures supporting the SCS, in close collaboration with the business clients (IASMN, ETC, UNDSS).

By June 2020, {TESS+}, a common and permanent service, endorsed by the IASMN and the ETC, built on the same foundations of TESS, replaced the TESS project ensuring a continuous adoption, standardization and support of new security communications technologies, translated into proper security procedures and guidance.

The Senior {TESS+} Assessment Officer will be hosted by the WFP Technology Division (TEC), and be responsible for implementing the {TESS+} mandate, under the global supervision of the {TESS+} Senior Programme Manager, and in collaboration with the field teams.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the TESS Senior Programme Manager, lead all aspects of implementation of the {TESS+} mandate in assigned countries, and maintain accountability for its deliverables, including:

1. Lead the assessment (remotely or onsite) of field SCS systems, in collaboration with humanitarian partners at the field, regional and HQ level, and make pragmatic recommendations towards a sustainable and cost effective SCS. The end result must balance actual requirements, numerous technical factors (e.g. available communications tools and services), security risks and local conditions with cost while adhering to current UN policy, procedures and guidance.
2. Provide onsite or remote guidance and support to field operations in the identification, deployment and operation of appropriate SCS connectivity solutions, applications and procedures;
3. Actively work with local, regional and HQ key stakeholders for all UN agencies, funds and programs as well as NGOs, including the countries’ Designated Official, Security Management Team, security professionals and technical personnel to have recommendations endorsed and implemented. This work is often to be coordinated at the level of the country UN representatives and Resident Coordinators;
4. Coordinate the provision of field support resources, where needed, to assist in implementing SCS recommendations, and critical upgrades and technical support.
5. Provide direct advice and support, to the local ICTWG (ICT Working Group), and to the most senior security professional, the Security Cell and the SMT;
6. Contribute experience and expertise towards the continuous update of SCS technical standards and translation of those standards into procedures and guidance for UN security personnel and senior management which will directly impact the safety and security for all UN and NGO personnel globally;
7. Coordinate all logistics and approvals for {TESS+} missions;
8. Coordinate the distribution and uploads for all {TESS+} mission reports;
9. Coordinate the administration of the the {TESS+} library access;
10. Support and/or fill in for the {TESS+} Senior Programme Manager as required and as such act as the {TESS+} Officer-In-Charge during the regular absence of the Senior Programme Manager

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT:

1. Undertake assessments of the SCSs in targeted countries in close collaboration with and involvement of humanitarian partners;
2. Provide, to UN country operation management, recommendations regarding the SCS that meet their specific requirements while taking full advantage of new and relevant UN standards and consequent cost efficiencies.
3. Actively support the endorsement process of the recommendations for each individual operation;
4. Continuously monitor status of implementation of the recommendations and provide support as required. Coordinate remote and/or in-site support efforts, including identification of appropriate resource(s), funding and deployment, when needed.
5. Provide input to the development or update process of technical standards, guidance and policy documents and ensure experiences from the field are reflected;
6. Up to date missions’ logistics coordination and mission reporting;
7. Ensure the continuity of the {TESS+} programme during the absence of the Senior Programme Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education: University degree in Telecommunications, Technology, Business, Project Management or other related field or equivalent years relevant work experience.

Experience:

• 12 years international experience in UN operations or UN security at regional / HQ / Field level (combined);
• Has led and/or provided critical input in emergency projects and missions, and designed/provided input on Security and Telecommunications Services;
• Has led multi-functional and cross-geographic teams and/or projects;
• Has gained considerable experience in the operational areas of security/emergency communications and technologies.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Has an in-depth understanding of common UN Security Communications, and has extensive experience in the monitoring and evaluation of security/emergency communications operations activities to assess and inform improvement of activity impact;
• Has a good understanding of the Security Management System of the UN and the role of the SCS within this framework;
• Has experience with managing projects with humanitarian stakeholders across the UN and NGOs, including senior managers, security professionals, technical support personnel and end beneficiaries of the SCS.
• Has successfully managed large and complex projects involving common UN services, including establishing requirements from a large number of stakeholders, developing and executing the project while monitoring status progress and preparation and implementation of an exit strategy;
• Has contributed to the development of global and regional security and ICT operations strategy, and supporting policies and guidance;
• Has partnered with colleagues at all levels of responsibilities across humanitarian agencies to understand their priorities and provide expert advice;

Languages:

Fluency (level C) in English language. Recommended intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

WFP offers a competitive compensation package, which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: "Our Work" and "Countries" to learn more about WFP's operations.

Deadline for applications: 22 May 2023 at 11:59pm Rome time (CET/CEST)

Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply.

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.

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