Assistant Chief, Security and Safety Service, New York

Employer:  UNHQ
Location: New York
Closing date: Friday, 9 January 2015
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Operations Section, Security and Safety Service (SSS), New York. The Security and Safety Service New York, Department of Safety and Security, is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment through which staff, delegates and visiting dignitaries can conduct the business of the United Nations. The post reports to the Deputy Chief of Security and Safety Service.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of the Security and Safety Service, the incumbent is required to perform the following duties:
  1. Coordinates and manages the day-to-day operations of the Operations Section including security arrangements for meetings, conferences and special events at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), the uniform security platoons, security in the annex buildings, Security Operations Center with integrated access control system, the Fire, Safety and Hazmat Unit, Crisis Management Support Unit, Armory, Canine Unit, Emergency Response Unit and the Centralized Support Unit.
  2. Oversees the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of programmes, operations and other activities related to fire prevention and occupational safety and health at UNHQ, including analysis of the security needs of the Operations Section.
  3. Is responsible for the planning, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects related to security and safety measures and makes recommendations for effective security coverage at the UNHQ complex and annex buildings. Conducts research in order to keep abreast of new developments in the fields of security operations management, access control and closed circuit systems with a view of practical application of new innovations into regular operations of the Service.
  4. Provides information and advice to the Deputy Chief of the Security and Safety Service on all operational matters.
  5. Reviews all recommendations of subordinate supervisors as it relates to daily operations and provides necessary guidance accordingly. Ensures that recommendations in relation to regular operations are implemented in a timely manner.
  6. Ensures that all units under incumbent's command are properly and effectively supervised, equipped, staffed and adequately trained to maintain operational readiness. Evaluates performance of staff and makes recommendations to the Deputy Chief of the Security and Safety Service for selection of staff for selection to specialized units, external conferences and mission assignments.
  7. Formulates the goals and objectives of the Operations Section, and ensures that they are accomplished in accordance with established priorities, time limitations and financial conditions.
  8. Performs other related duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrated expertise in physical security and security management. Expert knowledge in the field of fire safety, general safety and security. Knowledge in the operation of modern technology, including fire detection/prevention technology. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Judgment / Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, criminal justice or business administration, or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in security, police or military service including project management and operational planning or related field. Experience in managing large units of security, military or police type forces is required. Experience in Fire Safety, Hazmat and Crisis Management is required. Experience in the UN system or similar international organization is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and spoken English is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations
Job openings posted on the Careers Portal are taken off at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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