The Office of Staff Security (OSS) is responsible for providing leadership on security policy management and operational support to enable the effective implementation and delivery of IOM programmes and activities, while managing security risks at acceptable levels.
Under the overall oversight of the Chief of Mission in Cameroon, the direct supervision of the Field Security Support Officer (FSSO) and the technical guidance of the Office of Staff Security (OSS), including the Regional Security Support Office, the National Security Officer will provide technical and operational support on all security-related aspects of IOM Cameroon operations. The position will be based in Yaoundé and will support the implementation of security risk management measures for IOM personnel, premises, assets, movements, and programme activities across Cameroon.
The National Security Officer will contribute to maintaining an appropriate level of security awareness, preparedness, compliance, and response capacity within the IOM Cameroon Country Office and its field locations, in close coordination with UNDSS, relevant national authorities, implementing partners, and internal IOM units.
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS), UNDSS Cameroon, host government security authorities, diplomatic police, local administrative authorities, and relevant partner security services to ensure timely access to security information relevant to IOM Cameroon operations.
- Monitor and analyse the security situation in Cameroon, including areas where IOM personnel, premises, assets, and programmes are present or expected to operate, and communicate significant developments, incidents, and emerging risks to the FSSO in a timely manner.
- Support the development, review, implementation, and testing of IOM Cameroon security plans, contingency plans, emergency response procedures, evacuation arrangements, office-specific SOPs, and security inputs to the Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
- Support the FSSO in the conduct and follow-up of Security Risk Management (SRM) processes, including the monitoring of Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM) and the implementation of mitigation measures across IOM Cameroon locations and operations.
- Develop and maintain a sound understanding of IOM Cameroon programmes and operational footprint, including field activities, migrant assistance, movement operations, humanitarian response, and programme implementation sites, and provide security inputs to support safe and effective delivery.
- Conduct security assessments of IOM offices, field locations, vehicles, warehouses, migrant reception or transit facilities, and staff residences, as required, to verify compliance with Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM), Residential Security Measures (RSM), fire safety, access control, and other relevant security requirements.
- Support the effective management of the IOM Cameroon warden system, staff contact lists, radio call signs, communications testing, and SCAAN compliance, and assist in disseminating security advisories and alerts to personnel in a timely manner.
- Record, monitor, and report security incidents affecting IOM personnel, premises, assets, partners, and operational activities in Cameroon, including the preparation of security incident reports, weekly updates, and other reports requested by the FSSO or OSS.
- Provide security briefings for IOM personnel deployed to and traveling within the country or area of operation and coordinate all travel security requirements for the Country Mission in Cameroon, relating to all IOM operations, including assessments of road, air, and river transport networks, medical evacuations and international staff travel within and from/to the country.
- Provide guidance and day-to-day technical support to security assistants, guards, wardens, and other personnel involved in the implementation of safety and security measures, where applicable.
- Implement and manage security access control procedures, systems, and equipment; conduct periodic security assessments for premises and installations to ensure provisions for an effective guard force, and propose any necessary improvements; manage the day-to-day operational and technical support of the guard force.
- Provide security policy guidance, and monitor compliance to security standards and procedures.
- Support the FSSO in engagement with UNDSS security coordination mechanisms, including relevant security meetings and information-sharing platforms, and provide technical inputs on matters that may directly or indirectly affect IOM Cameroon operations.
- Provide support in the conduct and follow-up of investigations and incidents affecting IOM personnel, premises, and assets in the duty station.
- Respond to complex security queries and provide security-related advice as required.
- Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications
Education
- University degree in Security Management, Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, Criminal Justice, Risk Management, or a related field from an accredited academic institution, with two years of relevant professional experience.
- Master’s degree in the above fields from an accredited academic institution is desirable.
Experience
- At least two years of progressively responsible professional experience in security, safety, risk management, humanitarian operations, public administration, military, police, private security, or a related field.
- Experience supporting security risk assessments, incident reporting, access control, movement security, emergency preparedness, and security coordination is desirable.
- Experience working with the UNSMS, UNDSS, government security structures, or humanitarian/security coordination mechanisms in Cameroon or the Central Africa region is an advantage.
- UNDSS security certifications, including SSAFE, Security Certification Programme (SCP), Security Analysis Practice and Process (SAPP), or Trainer Development and Certification Course (TDC), are desirable.
Languages
- Fluency in English and French is required (oral and written).
- Working knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.