Security Officer -International Consultant/P3
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL VACANCY NOTICE
INTITULE DU POSTE: Security Officer
TYPE DE CONTRAT: GRADE: Consultant International/Niveau I
UNITE/DIVISION: Management
LIEU D’AFFECTATION: Nouakchott
DUREE :11 mois
WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance. Female Candidate are strongly encouraged to apply.
About WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes. With more than 18,000 colleagues worldwide, WFP works to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.
Why should you join WFP?
• WFP assists more than 86 million people around 83 countries. Your work will have a positive impact on lives of the world’s most vulnerable people.
• The way WFP serves hungry and affected people – including women, minority groups, children, and elderly, is truly important for their safety and dignity.
• You will join a diverse team of professionals and will have a chance to exchange your experience and expertise with your colleagues.
• WFP invests in the training and development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
WFP Mauritania Country Office
Mauritania is a lower middle-income country in the Sahel region with a population of 4.8 million that lives over a vast but mostly arid 1,030,700 km² territory.
Mauritania is exposed to recurrent cycles of drought, resulting in the degradation of natural resources, and structurally impacting the population’s productive capacity, resilience, and food security. The country is also host to the largest number of Malian refugees in West Africa. The Malian refugee situation entered its tenth year and the security conditions in Mali remain volatile resulting in a continuous refugee influx into Mauritania. As of April 2023, close to 104,177 refugees were registered by UNHCR in and around the Mbera camp.
WFP country portfolio aims to meet the basic food and nutrition needs of affected people as well as to provide UNHAS flight services for all humanitarian and development partners. In parallel, WFP strives to ensure the continuation of resilience programmes, while strengthening institutional capacity and minimizing gender inequalities. WFP has been present in Mauritania since 1964.
PRINCIPALES RESPONSIBILITIES
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):
1. Provide technical advice, guidance, and support, including conducting comprehensive security assessments and developing tailored security plans, to strengthen the capacity of the country office in security management, crisis readiness, and preparedness. Take into account the prevailing security environment, including potential risks associated with economic, political, and social aspects, and the activities of threat actors.
2. Conduct detailed context analysis to identify the key characteristics, locations, and modus operandi of threat actors. Stay updated on local security developments, including potential risks related to economic, political, and social aspects.
3. Stay updated on the evolving security situation in Mauritania and regional developments with potential impact on WFP operations in Mauritania, including risks related to social, economic, and other security threats. Continuously adapt security risk management measures and strategies to mitigate emerging threats and ensure the safety and security of WFP operations.
4. Monitor and analyse security developments, to assess their potential impact on the security of WFP operations and personnel. Provide timely advice and recommendations based on local security conditions to inform security and operational activities.
5. Work closely with internal counterparts, such as programme managers and field coordinators, to integrate security considerations into wider programmes and activities. Ensure compliance with security policies, procedures, and best practices. Provide guidance and support to enhance security awareness and preparedness among WFP personnel.
6. Establish and maintain a robust security management communications system that ensures effective coordination, rapid reporting, and timely dissemination of security information. Collaborate closely with internal and external stakeholders, including local partners and security forces, to facilitate swift and coordinated security responses in case of incidents or emergencies.
7. Supervise and mentor junior security personnel, providing coaching, guidance, and capacity building support as required to ensure their professional development and enable high performance in security-related roles. Foster a culture of security consciousness and preparedness within the team.
8. Represent WFP at local and inter-agency meetings e.g., Security Cells to present relevant security issues and contribute to technical discussions, exchange of knowledge and experience with other stakeholders. Actively participate in inter-agency initiatives to enhance collective security efforts. Provide guidance and advice to decision-makers in preparation of meetings of the Security Management Team and other relevant forums.
9. Build and maintain productive relationships with local partners, government authorities, and relevant stakeholders to align security activities, share information, and optimize the protection of WFP personnel, facilities, and operations. Actively engage with local communities to enhance understanding, cooperation, and support for WFP's security initiatives.
10. Facilitate training sessions and workshops as required in collaboration with relevant partners, to enhance the security capabilities of WFP personnel, partners and other external stakeholders. Identify training needs, develop appropriate materials, and deliver targeted security training programs to build the capacity of individuals and organizations in security risk management.
11. Oversee and prepare accurate and timely security reports, including mandatory Security reports and incident reporting, that provide comprehensive information on security incidents, trends, and risk management measures. Ensure that reports enable informed decision-making and are shared with relevant stakeholders in a consistent manner.
12. Support the monitoring and evaluation of WFP activities, providing technical analysis and information as required to support the assessment of activity impact. Stay proactive in identifying and addressing emerging security challenges to safeguard WFP's operations and personnel.
13. Perform any other duties as required to support the security management and operational needs of the WFP country office in Mauritania.
About You
The ideal candidate is a professional who:
• Has gained considerable experience in at least one operational area and has provided support in the provision of technical security operations advice to strengthen the security management function of WFP.
• Has managed small teams of national staff with related areas of expertise as well as engage, coordinate, and communicate with different stakeholders.
Qualifications & Key Requirements
Education: Advanced university degree in Security Management, International Relations or Law Enforcement or other relevant field, or First University (Undergraduate) degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses. A diploma obtained from Military/Police Academy with qualifying relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the First University (Undergraduate) degree.
Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant international experience with demonstrated capabilities in planning, organizing and executing complex humanitarian security operations in conflict or high-risk settings would be an added value.
Language: International Professional: Fluency (level C) in French language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of Arabic would be an advantage.
