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Local Security Assistant
Better Than Cash
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Posted on Apr 3, 2026
Background
Job Purpose and Organizational Context:
Country Office success in its delivery of UN programmes is dependent on ensuring an adequate security framework is in place. The Host Government has primary responsibility for the security and protection of personnel employed by United Nations Security Management System organizations, their eligible family members, and property. The UNDSS Security Office and regional security staff, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UN programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments. Specifically, the security team ensures the integration and mainstreaming of security risk management into Country Office operations, including incorporation of security considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all country office projects and programmes.
Position Purpose:
Under the guidance and supervision of the Security Adviser (SA), the Local Security Assistant (LSA) assists in providing support in the implementation of security and safety management in the country of assignment while protecting and minimizing risks to UN personnel, property and operations to enable effective UN programme delivery throughout the country.
The LSA may interact with other security partners in other UN agencies, national and local security counterparts, counterparts in Diplomatic missions, NGOs, municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders to exchange information and implement security programs.
The position is locally administered by UNDP but is financed centrally by the Local Cost Shared Security Budget (LCSSB).
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in providing security management support to enable effective programme delivery throughout the country while protecting and minimizing risks to UN personnel and operations:
- Provide support to security risk management for UN Security Management Systems (SMS) and UN Programmes in designated areas.
- Gather and organize information on security factors that are relevant to the design and delivery of UN programmes.
- Assist in conducting segments of security assessments and gather information on latest trends and threats to staff safety and security, as requested.
- Assist in implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches to address specific threats or vulnerabilities in alignment with security assessment results and procedures.
- Gather inputs for preparation of country security documents covering areas where UN staff, dependents and equipment are present.
2. Perform assigned activities to support implementation of the Country Security Plan, Contingency Plans and Business Continuity Management, and the UN Security Framework:
- Help in the preparation and updating security aspects of procedures for dealing with emergencies involving UN staff and operations.
- Coordinate closely with HR Units to ensure the staff Lists provided to UNDSS are kept up-to-date.
- Provide support in organizing training courses and briefings on security awareness and preparedness for UN personnel and provide security orientation to newly assigned staff members as requested.
- In coordination with HR, monitor UN staff security training compliance.
- Liaise with agencies administration when preparing for procurement of security equipment and supplies, and other logistics.
3. Assist in monitoring security compliance of UN premises and international staff residences within assigned areas of responsibility:
- Gather information relevant to the implementation and assessment of security and security risk management measures for UN premises.
- Maintain liaison with commercial companies used for UN security at offices and residences to ensure deployment of security resources are consistent with contract requirements.
- Assist in monitoring and assessing the safety and security preparedness of country offices and international staff residences.
4. Provide support in keeping UN management and personnel informed on security matters affecting UN programmes, the Country office and its personnel:
- Gather information for inclusion in Country Office security reports.
- Respond to and assist in reporting safety and security incidents affecting UN personnel and eligible dependents by gathering and verifying security information relevant to analyzing the situation.
- Maintain a database on agencies security contact details and the list of agencies Security Focal points.
- Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.
Competencies:
Core Competencies:
| Core Competencies: | |
| Achieve Results:
| Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline |
| Think Innovatively:
| Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements |
| Learn Continuously
| Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback |
| Adapt with Agility
| Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible |
| Act with Determination | Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident |
| Engage and Partner
| Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships |
| Enable Diversity and Inclusion
| Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination |
| Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: | ||
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Business Management | Communication |
|
| Business Management | Customer Satisfaction/Client Management |
|
| Business Management | Operations Management |
|
| Security Services | Security advice, planning and coordination |
|
| Security Services | Security information management |
|
| Security Services | Safety and Security risk management |
|
| Security Services | Physical/premises security design, implementation and management |
|
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education is required.
- University degree (bachelor’s degree) in Political Science, Military Studies, Security Management, Management or a relevant field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
- Applicable security, police and/or military training is desirable.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
- Minimum of 5 years (with secondary education) or 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible experience in security, preferably in the military or police context or related field of work.
- Prior experience with the UN system or an international NGO is desirable.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP is required.
- Experience in Safety and security risk management (threat assessment, mitigation).
- Security information management (analysis and recommendations).
- Security advice, planning, and coordination.
- Experience in the use of radio communications systems such as VHR radio Operations and knowledge of Country security codes is desirable.
- Valid driver’s license is required.
Language Requirement:
- Fluency in English is required.
- Fluency in Krio is required.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Probation
For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
Duties and Responsibilities