JOB HIGHLIGHT

Lead security for OPCW operations, ensuring personnel and assets are protected through expert risk management and proactive planning within the UN Security Management System.

ABOUT THE REGION

The UNOPS Middle East Region (MR) provides strategic leadership, performance oversight, and support to UNOPS operations across Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the State of Palestine. MR is responsible for positioning UNOPS as a key development partner in the region through high-level engagement with regional bodies, UN coordination mechanisms, development banks, donors, and intergovernmental organisations. By fostering strategic partnerships and promoting operational excellence, the region supports country teams in delivering sustainable solutions to complex development, peace, and humanitarian challenges.

ABOUT THE COUNTRY/MULTI-COUNTRY OFFICE

Established in 2004, the UNOPS Amman Multi-Country Office (MCO) provides strategic and operational support to partners across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and the Gulf countries. The MCO delivers solutions that address development, peace, and humanitarian challenges through infrastructure, procurement, project management, and human resources services. Working in close collaboration with national governments, UN agencies, and donors, the office supports efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Its portfolio includes large-scale operations focused on improving essential services, strengthening national systems, and enhancing resilience in complex and fragile settings.

JOB SPECIFIC CONTEXT

The Security Senior Officer operates in a high-risk operational environment in Syria, supporting the implementation of the OPCW Mission in the Syrian Arab Republic under the Cooperation Agreement between OPCW and UNOPS. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and operational protection of OPCW personnel, visitors, events, contractors, and critical mission assets across complex field environments.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Security Senior Officer manages, coordinates and provides expert advice on all security and safety matters affecting OPCW operations and projects. The incumbent operates within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), ensuring that OPCW personnel, assets and programmes are protected through sound risk management, proactive security planning, and effective coordination with the OPCW Office of Security and Confidentiality (OCS), the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), government authorities and other partners.

FUNCTIONS / KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

1. Security Risk Management and Advisory
   • Conduct and regularly update Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) for OPCW operations, offices, project sites and travel routes in Syria, identifying threats, vulnerabilities and appropriate mitigation measures.
   • Develop and maintain local security management arrangements and standard operating procedures (SOPs) consistent with UNSMS standards and adapted to the local operating context.
   • Provide technical security advice and guidance on programme design, project implementation, and operational decision-making.
   • Support the inclusion of safety and security components in project proposals and budgets to ensure sufficient resourcing for risk mitigation measures.
   • Design, Review and update Security standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with Security Risk Management (SRM) requirements, Residential Security Measures (RSMs), and other relevant and mandatory frameworks.
   • Prepare and submit security situation reports and analyses to the OPCW Office of Confidentiality and Security (OCS) and relevant OPCW and UNOPS management.
2. Operational Security Coordination
   • Lead operational security support for personnel movements, field missions, and (high-risk) deployments in coordination with UNDSS and host-government authorities.
   • Maintain active liaison with OCS, UNDSS, host government security agencies, humanitarian actors, and other stakeholders to share information and coordinate operational security measures.
   • Support the coordination of personnel travel security clearances, 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 medium to high-risk areas, including risk mitigation planning, convoy coordination, and communication protocols.
   • Ensure that OPCW compounds, offices and facilities meet required safety and security standards and are equipped with adequate physical and procedural safeguards.
   • Develop, implement and oversee an annual security work plan 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.
   • Attend Security Management Team (SMT) and Security Cell (SC) meetings and other coordination fora, representing OPCW and providing updates on security developments.
3. Incident Management and Reporting
   • Serve as a key focal point for incident reporting, documentation and analysis of security and safety incidents affecting OPCW personnel, assets or programmes.
   • 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 OPCW contingency plans.
4. Training, Awareness and Capacity Development
   • 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, fostering a culture of vigilance, compliance and proactive risk management.
   • Coordinate with OCS and UNDSS to organize joint security awareness and preparedness training, including simulations and drills.
5. Compliance, Monitoring and Documentation
   • 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, ensuring that OPCW premises, operations and personnel remain compliant with UNSMS requirements.
   • Support OPCW country leadership and OCS in ensuring operational and documentation compliance with UNSMS and OPCW security policies.
   • Review, update and test the business continuity plan (BCP) to ensure readiness for emergencies and operational disruptions.
   • Maintain accurate and current multi-sourced country files on security assessments, plans and advisories for decision-making and audit purposes.
   • Ensure compliance with the OPCW confidentiality regime.
6. Knowledge Building and Sharing
   • Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions 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.
   • Conduct research on security-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.

SKILLS

Emergency Management, Incident Response, Personnel 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.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 4 years of relevant experience.
• OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Professional security certification (e.g. UNDSS SSAFE, HEAT, CPP, or equivalent) is desired.
• ETB and/or IFAK certification is desired.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Required

• Relevant experience is work in security management, law enforcement, military or related areas.
• Experience in security risk assessment, crisis management, and coordination with UNDSS or UN field security structures is required.
• Experience in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

• Language: English, Proficiency Level: Fluent, Requirement: Required
• Language: Arabic, Proficiency Level: Fluent, Requirement: Required

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind. Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities. UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities. We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation. UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Position Title: Security Senior Officer (Operation)
Job Category: Crisis, Resilience & Security
Duty Station(s): Damascus
Seniority Level: Mid Level
ICS Level: ICS 09
Contract Type: ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular
Contract Level: LICA 9
Posting Start Date: 21-Oct-2026
Posting End Date: 31-Oct-2026
Duration: One year