Operations Assistant

Host entity: DSS

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Application deadline: 29/10/2026

Mission and objectives

The Department of Safety & Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work for the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions.

Assignment context

United NationsDepartment of Safety and Security (UNDSS) coordinates all necessary requirements to enable personnel to deliver the UN mandate safely, be it about training, programme assessments in support of the Security Risk Management (SRM) process, budget preparation, or security logistics.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of the Security Operations Centre (SOC) or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Operations Assistant will:
- Work on shifts in conjunction with other counterparts assigned to the Security Operations Centre (SOC).
- Alert the supervisory chain immediately of any serious accident or incident.
- Maintain an accurate and updated log in the daily occurrences book of all reports received by the SOC.
- Report immediately all urgent communications to the Chief of the Security Operations Centre (C-SOC), Chief Security Incident Operations Centre (CSIOC), Department of Peace and Security Operations (DPSAOPS), and Public Safety Advisor (PSA ), following the type of incident.
- Receive, process, record, and disseminate all security-related information to the appropriate locations through approved security channels.
- Monitor the SOC email to take timely action on all incidents and/or requests.
- Process the Travel Request Information Process (TRIP) requests for travelers to Somalia.
- Direct physical security inspections of UN buildings and facilities.
- Serve as the first Security Point of Contact (POC) to all UN staff requiring security assistance.
- Ensure accurate and timely dissemination of alerts, incident reports, and flash reports.
- Task, as required, Field Security Coordination Officers (FSCOs), appropriate response teams, the on-call Security Investigation Unit (SIU ) Investigator, Local Security Assistants, United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU), etc.
- Direct and coordinate all responses carried out by the response teams, the on-call SIU Investigator, Local Security Assistants, UNGU, Premises Security, and any other agencies that may be required during crises.
- Direct and coordinate all responses to incidents reported from a UN compound.
- Maintain an Occurrence Log focused on actions taken during incidents that are reported to the Operations Duty Officers.

Skills and experience

Experience in conflict, post-conflict, and high-risk environments at the international level is required.
Experience in Security Communications Systems and crisis management in post-conflict environments; ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in challenging environments.
Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel is desirable.

Competencies and values

-Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNDSS; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;

-Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.

-Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;

-Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

-Planning and organizing: Effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

-Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

-Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations, as necessary.

-Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNDSS mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions

General: Mogadishu is the HQ of the Movement Control operation inside Somalia mission area and is a non-family duty station. The UN Volunteer will be subject to the overall direction and guidance of the UN Designated Official (DO) for security. The volunteer will be incorporated into all applicable security protocols and will be required to strictly adhere to the guidelines, security plans and other directives issued by the DO. While in Somalia, the volunteer will be housed in UN provided accommodation.



Accommodation: Due to the security situation in the UNSOS mission area and coupled with the fact that there is no living accommodation on the private market that meets minimum UN security and safety standards for UN personnel, expatriate personnel deployed to Mogadishu are provided secured UN accommodation in a camp style environment, paid for by the UN personnel on a monthly basis. The UN-provided accommodation is essentially equipped with minimum room furniture. The UN accommodation could be single or shared rooms with shared bath and toilet facilities. Power and water (including purified water) is provided by the UN inside the camp to its occupants.



Food and Diet: There is no access to local markets in Mogadishu. There is a UN Contractor-managed dining facility inside the UNSOS Camp in Mogadishu where food is provided at a cost by CIANO. Personnel may cook their own meals at common kitchen buildings situated at convenient locations within the camp.



Health: Exposure exists to a number of tropical diseases. All medical formalities specified in the Offer or Travel Advisory should be completed before traveling. Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory before coming to the mission area, while vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diptheria, Polio and Meningitis are recommended. Vaccination Card (yellow card) must be brought. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Due to large number of various types of insects in the mission area, it is also recommended to use insecticide-impregnated nets and insect repellants. UN personnel have access during working hours to a Civilian Clinic inside the UNSOS Camp in Mogadishu.



Rest and Recuperation: International personnel, including UN Volunteers, working in UNSOS mission area are entitled to a 4 week Rest and Recuperation (R & R) cycle. This means that after every 4 weeks of being in the mission area, there is a break to travel to either Nairobi (UNSOS designated R & R location) or any other destination outside the mission area. The R & R entitlement consists of a 5 calendar days R & R, with 2 travel days added, every 4 weeks. UN flights from Mogadishu or any other deployed site in the mission to Nairobi and back to duty station can be used at no expense. However, accommodation, food and other expenses while on R & R is borne by the individual. Approval of R & R is balanced against operational requirements.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.