Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Villavicencio, a duty station of the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC) and within the UNDSS Integrated Security Workforce in Colombia. Under the overall supervision of the Chief Security Adviser/Officer (CSA/CSO), the Security Officer will report to the Field Security Coordination Officer (FSCO).

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the incumbent will perform as Regional Security Officer (RSO) and will be responsible for the following duties: - Assists the FSCO in the office management procedures in his/her Areas of Responsibility (AOR) and/or supervises a Security Unit, as needed; - Develops and monitors the implementation of security contingency plans for a security unit; - Serves as a member and assists the FSCO in organizing the Area Security Management Team (ASMT) meetings; - Contributes and develops the Security Risk Management, including through a gender analysis, in coordination with the Security Information Coordination Unit (SICU) for the area of operations; - Assesses prevailing local security conditions, identifying security trends and advising UN personnel, project personnel and eligible dependents on security issues; - Serves as a member of the local Security Cell, contributing to implementation and evaluation of the security plan; - Evaluates air, land and/or sea emergency evacuation capability; conducts evacuation exercises and recommends appropriate action in his/her Area of responsibility (AOR); - Determines accessible areas, maintains tracking systems and coordinates a 24-hour Emergency Response System within his/her AOR in coordination with the Security Operations Centre ( SOC); - Assesses the level of security risk for the area of operations; - Monitors, conducts or coordinates security operations in his/her AOR; - Maintains continuing lines of communication with security focal points and other UN or non-UN stakeholders; - Briefs the CSA/CSO, the Deputy CSA or the FSCO on the status, activity and requirements of the unit; - Ensures that fire prevention devices and fire-fighting equipment are available on the premises; - Maintains fire evacuation plan and conducts fire drills and training as necessary; - Maintains office security by conducting physical security inspections of facilities; - Assumes responsibility for guard force management; - Monitors and evaluates office physical security measures, and conducts security surveys of installations and facilities; implements security arrangements; - Provides advice and training to UN personnel and eligible dependents on security matters, as assigned; - Identifies the training needs of security and Mission staff; - Identifies gaps in existing capability and make recommendation for amendment where necessary; - Contributes to the planning process of protective services for Senior UN Officials, as necessary; - Inspects security equipment and recommends minimum equipment requirements are purchased, maintained and deployed in accordance with relevant policy; - Investigates security-related incidents involving UN personnel, project personnel or eligible dependents; - Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of security management, combined with background in military, police of security specialization. Knowledge, understanding and ability to manage security challenges in post-conflict environment. Capability to appropriately supervise security units. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Certification in Security Program(s), Security Analysis Practice and Process, Hostage Incident Management, Close Protection Officers and/or Security Investigation is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of eight (8) years progressively responsible experience in the military, police, security management or analysis with a military, police or international security management organization is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience and exposure at the international level is required. A minimum of one (1) year experience in a conflict or post conflict environment is required. Experience in security planning, security operations, security risk assessment, physical security, crisis management and/or liaising with local authorities and law enforcement agencies is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II
Spanish	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by an informal interview.

Special Notice

Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.

This position is temporarily available until December 31, 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
Candidates interested to work for the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia may wish to check out our Realistic Job Preview videos to get an idea of the living and working conditions in different duty stations in Colombia: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-8SCkVjg-e3073SwTDG1VQf1oLTWfUQ4

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

SECURITY OFFICER