Security Associate, (GS-6), Temporary Appointment, Two (2) positions based in Assosa (Benishangul Gumuz Region), and Bahir Dar (Amhara Region), 6 months only (For Ethiopian nationals only)

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to access 

Ethiopia is situated in the Horn of Africa and is the second most populous country on the continent with an estimated population of 115 million. It borders six African countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan, and covers 1,104,300 square kilometers. Approximately 85 percent of the population lives in rural areas. Ethiopia represents a melting pot of ancient cultures with Middle Eastern and African cultures evident in the religious, ethnic, and language composition of its people.

Over the past couple of years, children and their families across Ethiopia faced multiple and complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the northern Ethiopia and the drought, which resulted in millions of people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. UNICEF has programmes in Child Protection, WASH, Health, Nutrition, Social Policy, and Education and serves over 15 million children in Ethiopia. Join UNICEF Ethiopia to contribute to improving the lives of children and women.

How can you make a difference? 

Purpose for the job:

The functions of the Security Associate, GS06 positions are to support the Country Security Manager in providing critical and effective assistance to the Amhara, and Benishangul Gumuz (BGR) offices, with a focus on enhancing and ensuring staff safety and security. The positions will also support humanitarian operations across these regions and adjacent areas of Ethiopia, in close partnership with other UN agencies and implementing partners, while ensuring strong coordination with federal and regional government authorities on security management and access.

Scope of Work:

Under the direct supervision of the respective CFO of Amhara, and Benishangul Gumuz field offices and technical guidance of the Security Manager, the Security Associates will be accountable for the following key deliverables:

1. Security Risk Management and Planning
   • Collect, record and report to supervisor all information related to the safety and security of UNICEF personnel and eligible family members, premises, assets and resources in accordance with UN and UNICEF Security Management Systems.
   • Assist the supervisor by collecting and providing the basic information required for the implementation of the UN Country Security Plan, Security Risk Management (SRM) Measures, Residential Security Measures (RSM), and other relevant policies, guidelines, and assessments.
   • Assist the supervisor in the development of UNICEF routine security documentation including security contingency plans such as, but not limited to, fire and evacuation plans.
   • Assist the supervisor in drafting routine security reports/returns including but not limited to Security Incident Reports (SIRs).
2. Safety and Security Services
   • Monitor the local security situation through local media and networks providing regular information and updates to the Supervisor relative to on-going and emerging security issues in the country.
   • Assist the Supervisor in security activities that support UNICEF staff, premises and operations for all locations where UNICEF personnel and/or eligible family members are present.
   • Provide on-going routine technical support and direction for contracted security providers on behalf of the Supervisor.
   • Under the direct guidance of the Supervisor, share information with UNICEF personnel and eligible family members that would affect their safety and security and information regarding the actions to take in the event of an emergency, including those identified in the UNICEF/UN Security Plans.
   • Support the Supervisor in the establishment of effective and functioning Communications/Warden Systems for UNICEF and the periodic testing of these systems.
   • Support the supervisor in the conduct of all security related contingency exercises particularly relating to administration, communications and logistics.
3. Security Networking
   • With significant guidance from the supervisor, actively establish and maintain official liaison with host government counterparts, local authorities responsible for security, law and order and security counterparts within the UNSMS/NGO community.
4. Support in Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
   • Coordinate, as required, with UNDSS, on behalf of the SFP, to ensure all UNICEF personnel undertake mandatory security training/briefings.
   • With support and guidance from the supervisor, develop and conduct Area level familiarization sessions for contracted security guards specifically regarding their UN/UNICEF related duties and responsibilities.
   • With support and guidance from the ECO Driver Training Team, ensure the conduct of training sessions for drivers to familiarize/refresh them with safe and defensive driving techniques.
   • Assist in the provision of any security related training for UNICEF personnel or eligible family members,

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum requirements:

• Education: Completion of secondary education, supplemented by relevant technical/military/police courses and/or university courses in the areas of security management, law, international relations.
• Work Experience: At least six [6] years of relevant work experience in a security related environment is required with a minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible position as a Security Associate in UN or I/NGO organization.
  • • Bachelor’s degree from a recognized academic institution in a field relevant to the position may replace three years of related work experience.
    • A master’s degree may replace an additional two years.
  • The successful candidate must exhibit thorough knowledge of the conflict dynamics of the country, Amhara, and Benishangul Gumuz regions in particular.
• Skills:
  • Proven ability to conduct security assessments, facility survey and security incident reporting.
  • Knowledge of and proven work with MS Word, PowerPoint, and MS Excel.
  • Proven ability to establish and manage an effective and functioning Warden and Staff Accounting Systems within the organization.
  • The ability to operate radio communication systems, GSM based and online applications.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in English language is required. Knowledge of local language of the respective region is an asset.

Desirables:

• Security operational experience within Amhara, and Benishangul Gumuz or adjacent regions is of added advantage.
• Proven work experience associated with humanitarian programmes related to children, women and displaced persons/refugees etc. is an advantage.
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility jobs-near-me.org UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per 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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates and persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason. 

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member’s original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.