Duties and Responsibilities
-Consistently seek to understand the security context (with a focus on stabilization target locations) through constant analysis of local developments, conflict drivers, ways to mitigate harm to populations and reputational risks to UNDP;
-Analyze whether security forces are willing and capable of providing security for local communities in Stabilization target locations. Assess security implications and risks for local communities targeted by the Programme’s initiatives;
-Maintain an up-to-date security assessment of targeted Stabilization locations and monitor changes and trends over time;
-Regularly report conflict and security-related updates to the Head of Stabilization and to the Resident Representative;
-Share information and analysis on the conflict and security context with UNDP’s Security Associate and UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS).
Engage and Liaison with security forces on the ground, authorities and communities:
-Engage with all relevant actors for effective security liaison in stabilization targeted districts in Cabo Delgado and establish excellent working relationships with security forces on the ground;
-Build a strong working relationship with community-based structures providing security services to local communities in stabilization targeted locations, under the umbrella and guidance of provincial or district administrations;
-Liaise continuously with relevant security forces, provincial and district authorities (Secretary of State, Governors, District Administrators, Police Commands, etc.), and local communities on security-related matters, to ensure and monitor Government’s commitment to the provision of security services in stabilization targeted locations. This liaison needs to be in collaboration with UNDSS and UNDP Security Associate;
-Advice and support the Head of Stabilization in explaining the objectives of stabilization programmes and the need for such programmes to focus on security provision to operate to relevant political authorities and security stakeholders;
-Facilitate collaboration, cooperation and trust-building between local security forces and targeted communities;
-Participate in structured and regular information sharing, intelligence gathering and interactions with early warning mechanisms through community engagement, considering their particular security threats and concerns;
-Serve as the primary focal point for all matters related to security of local communities in stabilization targeted locations.
Advise on programmatic aspects related to security for communities:
-In consultation with security forces and local authorities and communities in stabilization targeted locations, propose to the Head of Stabilization programmatic interventions aimed at reinforcing the security of communities and law enforcement actors at the local level;
-In coordination with the Head of Infrastructure Pillar, and in consultation with the local government, propose infrastructure rehabilitation that have the potential of reinforcing the security of communities over time;
-In close coordination with the Head of Livelihood Pillar, provide advice on potential linkages between community-level security interventions and creating emergency short-term income generation opportunities for conflict-affected populations from stabilization targeted districts, such as targeting youth at risk of recruitment by Government–opposed armed groups and/or supporting former members of Government-affiliated security actors and their families;
-Advise on the implementation of perception surveys aimed at collecting data and trends on communities’ perceptions of security in stabilization targeted locations and on their level of satisfaction with security services provided by national and local providers.
Monitor and report on human rights due diligence:
-Ensure all work conducted with security forces in the context of the stabilization programme is in line with the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) risk assessment;
-Monitor and timely report to the Resident Representative and the Head of Stabilization on human rights violations conducted by national security forces and Government affiliated security actors and support the Resident Representative in addressing and responding to such violations with political authorities and security forces;
-Assess the reputational risks to UNDP being associated with security providers conducting human rights violations and report back to the Resident Representative and Head of Stabilization with concrete recommendations.
Effective coordination with other international actors operating in Cabo Delgado:
-Ensure continuous liaison with UNDSS to ensure sharing of experiences and knowledge of the situation on the ground in the program areas. Ensure that UNDSS personnel are aware of any developments in respect to the security situation which the Security Liaison Specialist - Stabilization may be made aware of as a result of his/her work;
-Attend civil-military coordination – CMCoord - meetings held by UN entities, nurturing bilateral relations with CMCoord Officer as well as protection and humanitarian clusters and sectors as appropriate;
-During coordination activities, consistently emphasize the different nature of liaison and cooperation with security forces vis-à-vis UNDSS and humanitarian CM Coord;
-Respect other agencies' (particularly humanitarian agencies) different mandates and their ways of doing business. Eventual friction and competing agendas should be addressed by the Head of the Stabilization from the outset;
-Ensure the respective UNDP stabilization teams initiate and maintain a dialogue on security matters and transition strategies with humanitarian, peacebuilding and development communities, UN system, civil society, international and local NGOs.
Qualifications and Experience
Institutional Arrangement
The Security Liaison Specialist - Stabilization will perform under the guidance of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Head of Stabilization and in close collaboration with the stabilization project team, and the UN Department of Safety and Security UNDSS.
Competencies:
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.
Functional/Technical competencies
Business Direction & Strategy
System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Business Management: Communication
Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channel.
Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Safeguarding human rights and protecting vulnerable groups.
2030 Agenda: Peace
Business Management
Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making.
Business Development
Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Military Studies, Law, Political Science, Social Sciences, International Studies, Public Administration, or a related field, is required.
A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
Minimum of 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in liaison with security forces (or similar function) in humanitarian, stabilization or conflict -affected countries is required.
Required skills:
Proven experience and In-depth knowledge of security management and risk management;
Demonstrated ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations;
Demonstrated experience in liaising with military and security personnel, and government counterparts.
Desired additional skills:
Previous experience in civil-military cooperation (CIMIC), or experience with military/security forces in the context of UN humanitarian and/or peacekeeping operations is desirable;
Previous experience working within the field of Security Management is an asset.
Language:
Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
Working knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish, and Swahili languages will be considered an added advantage.
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