The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

Based in Nairobi, Kenya, the incumbent provides security advisory, coordination and operational support to UNOPS personnel, assets, projects and operations in Kenya and across other countries within the ESA Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) portfolio where dedicated UNOPS security capacity is not available. The position supports the implementation of UNOPS and United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) security requirements across a geographically dispersed and operationally diverse area of responsibility and coordinates closely with UNDSS, relevant UN entities, host-government counterparts and project teams. The incumbent may also provide surge support to other offices within the Africa Region, as required.

The incumbent operates within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), ensuring that UNOPS personnel, assets, and programs are protected through sound risk management, proactive security planning, emergency preparedness, and effective coordination with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS), host-government authorities, and other partners. The incumbent is expected to exercise a high degree of professional judgment and operate with substantial independence while providing expert security advice and coordination support across a geographically dispersed and operationally diverse portfolio.

The position is functionally and technically supervised by the Regional Security Adviser, Africa Region, who serves as the primary supervisor for technical and performance matters. 

The Director of the ESAMCO exercises administrative supervision. The incumbent works in close coordination with country management teams and other stakeholders across the ESAMCO portfolio to ensure effective implementation of security risk management measures and compliance with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements. 

The Security Officer provides technical, operational, and advisory support to ensure the safety and security of UNOPS personnel, assets, and operations. The incumbent functions within the framework of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), ensuring that all UNOPS activities are planned and executed in line with global security standards, local regulations, and organizational policies. The Security Officer plays a key role in security risk management, incident response, and personnel safety awareness, contributing towards the secure and effective delivery of UNOPS projects and operations. 

1. Advisory and Technical Support

• Reinforce security risk management as a core component of all UNOPS operations and projects across the ESAMCO area of responsibility.
• Monitor security developments across the area of responsibility, maintain situational awareness of emerging threats affecting UNOPS operations, and provide timely security updates and advisories to the Regional Security Adviser and relevant management.
• Conduct Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and preparing corresponding mitigation plans.
• Advise project teams on local threats, vulnerabilities, and appropriate protective measures.
• Ensure that the security considerations are integrated into project planning, budgeting and implementation phases.
• Review project proposals from a security perspective, conduct field assessments as needed and recommend improvements.
• Provide security guidance to project managers on security risk considerations relating to implementing partners, including the integration of appropriate risk-management provisions into relevant project documentation and operational arrangements, while maintaining the distinction between UNOPS advisory support and the implementing partner’s responsibility for its own security management, personnel safety and duty of care. 
• Support the development, implementation and periodic review of office and project-specific Security Plans, Residential Security Measures (RSMs) and contingency arrangements within the area of responsibility. 
• Support the development, review and updating of local security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other security instructions, ensuring alignment with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements.
• Contribute to the business continuity plan (BCP) from a security and safety perspective and assist in conducting regular BCP drills.

2. Security Operations and Coordination

• Coordinate with the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and other UN agencies across the ESAMCO area of responsibility to ensure effective information-sharing, compliance and crisis response.
• Liaise with local law enforcement, military and government security entities to exchange information and coordinate preventive measures.
• Attend Security Cell and Security Management Team (SMT) and other coordination meetings as required and provide management with timely recommendations 
• Plan, coordinate and oversee security operations for official missions, site visits and high-level events. 
• Manage security clearances, road missions, and ensure vehicles and equipment are maintained, stocked and ready for deployment.
• Ensure compliance with Residential Security Measures (RSMs) and mandatory mitigation measures across UNOPS premises and residences.
• Oversee the incident reporting mechanism, ensuring timely documentation, analysis and follow-up on all security incidents affecting UNOPS personnel, premises and assets and maintain incident records for trend monitoring and reporting purposes. 
• Support the coordination of security arrangements during emergencies, relocations, evacuations and other crisis-response situations, in accordance with UNOPS contingency arrangements and UNDSS procedures.
• Support security-related reviews, inquiries and fact-finding following incidents, as required, and contribute to the identification and documentation of lessons learned.

3. Personnel Safety, and Emergency Preparedness 

• Maintain and update personnel and eligible dependents' contact information, warden systems, and emergency communication protocols.
• Coordinate and deliver security briefings and induction sessions for all newly arrived personnel, contractors and visitors.
• Provide tailored guidance to personnel on travel safety, communication procedures, and local security dynamics.
• Ensure personnel receive mandatory security training (BSAFE, SSAFE, etc) and are informed of any changes in security procedures.
• Develop and conduct security awareness and emergency preparedness training for personnel, in coordination with UNDSS.
• Facilitate emergency communications by operating or coordinating specialized data-communication systems (HF/VHF/Satellite).
• Coordinate and, where feasible, conduct fire safety drills, evacuation exercises, and emergency response simulations.

4. Security Administration and Compliance

• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of the annual security work plan, identifying operational priorities and resource requirements in coordination with the Regional Security Adviser and relevant management.
• Assist in budget preparation for security operations, monitoring expenditures and resource utilization. 
• Implement UNIOPS and UNSMS security policies, procedures and protocols, ensuring they are adapted to the local operating context.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of security mitigation measures identify implementation gaps and recommend corrective actions to support continued compliance with UNOPS and UNSMS requirements.
• Prepare security reports, assessments and analytical summaries for submission to relevant UNOPS management and the Regional Security Adviser. 
• Maintain up-to-date security documentation, including security assessments, plans, SOPs, advisories and other required records for operational decision-making, compliance and audit purposes.
• Maintain confidential correspondence and sensitive records in compliance with UNOPS information security standards.
• Manage the inventory and accountability of security and communication equipment, ensuring readiness and maintenance.

5. Team Management and Capacity Development

• Supervise or provide guidance to assigned security personnel and guards, ensuring adherence to procedures and professional conduct.
• Facilitate effective work planning, performance monitoring and coaching to promote high-quality results and accountability.
• Encourage professional growth through on-the-job mentoring and participation in UNOPS or UNDSS capacity-building activities. 
• Promote teamwork and collaboration across project and field security personnel to ensure consistent implementation of policies and practices. 

6. Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Conduct research on security-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned from the implementation of security projects/ initiatives.
• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on security topics.

Required

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

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 0 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

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

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.

• 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.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.