Field Security Officer

March 9 2026

E (most hardship)

Non FamilyNon FamilyDanger Pay

PR3

Professional

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Field Security Officer

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Field Security Officer reports to the manager who may be according to context the Representative/Chief of Mission or Head of Office within a country operation the Senior Field Security Officer; the Bureau Director in a Regional Directorate; the Head of Security Operations Unit at Headquarters or the regional Senior Security Coordinator.

The incumbent acts as an adviser to the manager on field security providing sound well- reasoned advice followed by support in implementation of agreed measures or steps.

The incumbent may directly supervise security personnel. The incumbent may depending on the context be expected to monitor coach guide and support security personnel.

The Field Security Officer may be expected to travel on mission to multiple duty stations to provide advice and support to the local manager as agreed in mission terms of reference.

All UNHCR personnel are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter UNStaff Regulations and Rules UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability addition personnel are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core functional cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRs core values of professionalism integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

• Advise and support the manager on all aspects of security risk management crisis readiness and preparedness with regard to maintaining the safety and security of UNHCR personnel operations and facilities.
• Participate in the development or update of the Security Risk Management (SRM) process for designated areas and undertake security risk assessments/ad hoc SRM analysing security factors and levels of risk related to UNHCR activities and programmes.
• Monitor compliance with standards established through the SRM process.
• Ensure person-centered approaches are included in the SRM processes and that Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs) are appropriate. Develop and update all relevant tools and processes to respond to gender-based security incidents.

• Develop specific UNHCR plans as well as contribute to the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) plans and planning for relocation/evacuation medical evacuation and other contingencies test plans in exercises or drills to ensure that personnel are familiar with contingency plans and can implement them effectively in an emergency.

• Ensure that security measures are fully integrated into operational planning including budgetary provisions at the earliest stages of development.
• Coordinate and assist in management of critical incidents and post-incident processes reporting to the manager Senior Field Security Coordinator and FSS.
• As a member of a multi-functional team contribute to efforts to ensure the physical protection and security of refugees and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons by providing security assessments analysis and advice in developing and implementing effective strategies which underpin the responsibilities of the host state.
• Develop and maintain relationships with security-related actors including Host Government law enforcement authorities the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and other UNSMS security personnel ensuring UNHCR mandate and program activities are understood.
• Support UNHCR personnel serving as members of the countrys Security Management Team (SMT) or Area Security Management Team (ASMT) Area Security Coordinators (ASC) and Wardens actively participating in relevant security cell representing UNHCR.

• Provide country-relevant security advice and training which is person-centered and gender inclusive to UNHCR personnel and where feasible to staff of NGOs and Partners in areas In line with UNSMS and UNHCR standards. Coordinate training with security management training unit of the Global Learning Development Centre.
• Prepare periodic analytical reports on security issues in accordance with UN and UNHCR standard operating procedures sharing with managers in the country of assignment and as relevant the Senior Field Security Coordinator in the region and Field Security Section (FSS).

• Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision-making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
• Perform other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For P3/NOC - 6 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 5 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 4 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree

Field(s) of Education

Security; Security Management; Business Administration;

Political Science; Social Science; International Relations;

or other relevant field.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Security Management Learning Program Security Risk Management Safety and security

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Security risk management experience in an international capacity.

Desirable

Proven experience in security analysis security management or security training. Experience in high-risk/hardship environments. Experience working in or with humanitarian NGOs. Experience in implementing person-centered and gender-inclusive Security Risk Management processes. Relevant training (first aid Womens Security Awareness Training (WSAT) Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) presentation skills facilitation of training skills). Examples of having established networks with Host Government or other security actors from previous employment. Experience in effectively handling gender-based security incidents. Experience in delivering presentations and training.

Functional Skills

*FS-Security risk management

*FS-Field Security Operations

*FS-Security Planning

*FS-UN/UNHCR Rules Regulations and Guidelines on Security Management

FS-Crisis negotiation and ManagementFS-Security Analysis

(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Language Requirements

For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.

For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.

For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.

Competency Requirements

All jobs at UNHCR require six core competencies and may also require managerial competencies and/or cross-functional competencies. The six core competencies are listed below.

Core Competencies

Accountability

Communication

Organizational Awareness

Teamwork & Collaboration

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies

Empowering and Building Trust

Judgement and Decision Making

Managing Performance

Managing Resources

Cross-Functional Competencies

Analytical Thinking

Political Awareness

Stakeholder Management

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse harassment including sexual harassment sexism gender inequality discrimination and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Essential Attributes
Progressive experience in security risk management in highrisk/complex environments. Solid knowledge of UNHCR security policies UNSMS frameworks and UNDSS coordination mechanisms.
Demonstrated experience in conducting Security Risk Assessments (SRA) and contributing to Security Risk Management (SRM) processes advising senior management on security risks and mitigation measures affecting programme delivery
Demonstrated experience in field mission planning incident management and enabling operations in contexts with diverse types of threats and rapidly changing access constraints.
Handson experience coordinating with UNDSS ASMT/Security cell mechanisms and government/hostcountry security stakeholders while maintaining a principled humanitarian posture.
Proven track record in training and mentoring diverse teams; conducting security briefings; leading drills and afteraction reviews.
Demonstrated ability to produce precise actionable security analysis advise senior management under pressure and balance operational imperatives with duty of care obligations.
Proficiency in emergency preparedness contingency planning and business continuity planning.
Strong drafting and reporting skills for security advisories incident reports management briefings and other required security documentation

Desirable Attributes Prior working experience in border areas or similarly sensitive operating environment; exposure to protectionsensitive field operations is a strong asset

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

To view occupational safety and health considerations for this duty station please visit this link:

of Position:

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Head of SO Peshawar. S/he leads coordinates and advises the HoSO on security management for staff and operations ensuring compliance with security policies. S/he will be required to provide HoSO and security forums with substantial situational analysis and proposals on staff safety and security management procedures.

S/he will conduct security risk assessments (SRM) and evaluate Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs). The position requires knowledge of the installation and maintenance of security equipment including protective equipment. Also s/he will have to take the lead and work independently on security concepts plans and SOPs for various locations including the Office staff accommodation voluntary repatriation centers and warehouses. The position requires experience in providing safety and security advice in large-scale operations with multiple locations and large numbers of staff/PoC is essential.

The incumbent will need to respond to potentially life-threatening situations and provide appropriate advice with limited or incomplete information or in dangerous situations.

He/she will have to be able to liaise with relevant local enforcement/authorities. S/he will engage United Nations Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS) staff in the field and represent UNHCR in inter-agency security cell coordination meetings. The position requires demonstrating previous competencies in security coordination and representing the Organization at various high-level fora is a must. S/he will prepare security-related reports and analyze trends.

The position requires the ability to operate in a fluid often rapidly changing operational environment; thus be flexible in outlook to provide due support to program delivery.

Living and Working Conditions:

Peshawar is a category E non-family high risk duty station. The Sub-Office is situated at the University Town- a safe and secure location approved by UNDSS. The Office and Guest House are located within the same compound. International staff and visitors live in the Guest house which consist of 11 self-contained rooms that are fully equipped and furnished with various amenities. All rooms in the guest house have air conditioners hot water and satellite TV. A gym is also available in the compound. Staff rely on dedicated chefs for daily meals. There are level 2 and 3 government as well as private health service providers available however for serious medical condition patients are referred to Islamabad for treatment. R&R cycle is 6 weeks. The electricity supply is unstable resulting in blackouts however UNHCR has reliable backup power generators to supply electricity.

Known as City on the Frontier Peshawars strategic location on the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia has made it one of the most culturally vibrant and lively cities in the greater region. It is the major educational political and business center of KP. Temperatures in Peshawar do vary with the the Winter which starts from mid-November to March temperature could fall to about 4 degrees celsius whilst Summer which starts from May to September could record temperatures up to 40 degrees Celsius. Staff should carry heavy warm clothing in winter months and cotton clothing is recommended where possible in summer months.

The incumbent will be posted in an urban location where outdoor air pollution is a health concern. Exposure to air pollutants can be detrimental to one s health and can contribute to breathing problems development of chronic diseases deterioration of health status in individuals with chronic diseases. It has been linked to increased hospitalizations disability and early death from respiratory diseases heart disease stroke lung cancer and diabetes as well as communicable diseases like pneumonia.

Major health hazards in the country include vaccine preventable diseases (Hepatitis B Hepatitis A Typhoid); vector-borne diseases (Dengue Fever Hemorrhagic Fever Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Malaria); non-communicable diseases predominantly cardio-metabolic disorders and obstructive lung disease; as well as injuries secondary to road traffic accidents or natural disasters such as floods drought earthquakes and landslides / avalanches.

Additional Qualifications

Skills

FS-Field Security Operations

Education

Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration Bachelor of Arts: International Relations Bachelor of Arts: Political Science Bachelor of Arts: Security Bachelor of Arts: Security Management Bachelor of Arts: Social Science

Certifications

UN Security Analysis Pract/Proc - Other

Work Experience

Annual Budget OL in Operation/Office Number of Persons of Concern Served Number of Workforce in Operation/Work Setting Workforce to Supervise Working with Persons of Concern: Asylum Seekers Working with Persons of Concern: Internally Displaced Persons Working with Persons of Concern: Refugees Working with Persons of Concern: Returned IDPs Working with Persons of Concern: Returned Refugees

Competencies

Accountability Analytical thinking Client & results orientation Commitment to continuous learning Communication Empowering & building trust Judgement & decision making Managing performance Managing resource Organizational awareness Political awareness Stakeholder management Teamwork & collaboration

UNHCR Salary Calculator

Bi-Annual 2026 Compendium - Part B

Additional Information

This position requires Functional Clearance