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General Information

Position Title
Security Assistant
Job Category
Security
Duty Station(s)
Aleppo
Seniority Level
Entry Level
ICS Level
ICS 04
Contract Type
ICA - LICA - Support - Regular
Contract Level
LICA 4
Posting Start Date
01-Mar-2026
Posting End Date
15-Mar-2026
Duration
6 months (extension is subject to project funds and performance)

Job Highlight

This is an opportunity to contribute directly to the safety and security of UNOPS operations in Syria, supporting critical projects that enhance resilience and sustainable development. The position offers exposure to a challenging and dynamic security environment, providing valuable experience in security management within the UN system. The role involves close collaboration with the project management team and external security providers, contributing to the effective delivery of humanitarian and development assistance in the project assigned areas of Aleppo and Homs governorates.

About the Region

The UNOPS Middle East Region (MR) provides strategic leadership, performance oversight, and support to UNOPS operations across Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the State of Palestine. MR is responsible for positioning UNOPS as a key development partner in the region through high-level engagement with regional bodies, UN coordination mechanisms, development banks, donors, and intergovernmental organisations. By fostering strategic partnerships and promoting operational excellence, the region supports country teams in delivering sustainable solutions to complex development, peace, and humanitarian challenges

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Established in 2004, the UNOPS Amman Multi-Country Office (MCO) provides strategic and operational support to partners across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and the Gulf countries. The MCO delivers solutions that address development, peace, and humanitarian challenges through infrastructure, procurement, project management, and human resources services. Working in close collaboration with national governments, UN agencies, and donors, the office supports efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Its portfolio includes large-scale operations focused on improving essential services, strengthening national systems, and enhancing resilience in complex and fragile settings.

Job Specific Context

This position operates within a complex and challenging security environment in Syria, supporting the Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) programme in the project assigned areas of Aleppo and Homs governorates. The Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) is a flagship EU-funded initiative managed by UNOPS under the DG MENA (The Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf) framework. NRM will contribute to resilience and sustainable development in Syria through linking immediate humanitarian relief with long-term socio-economic development.The role is crucial for ensuring the safety and security of UNOPS personnel, premises, and operations, contributing to the effective delivery of projects aimed at enhancing resilience and sustainable development in conflict-affected communities. The Security Assistant will work under the guidance of the Senior Programme Manager in coordination with the Syria Security Officer, providing essential support in managing security operations and maintaining a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations and UN Security Management System policies.

Role Purpose

The Security Assistant provides a comprehensive range of specialized and administrative support services for managing security and safety operations in Syria. S/he is responsible for promptly resolving security-related issues and exchanging information, promoting a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations and UN Security Management System policies.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Technical Support Services

  • Assists in collecting, updating, and communicating information regarding the security situation in the project assigned areas of Aleppo and Homs governorates, Syria.
  • Provides operational support in conducting routine security assessments for UNOPS project sites and assists in drafting safety summaries and recommendations to facilitate secure project delivery.
  • Assists in gathering, researching, verifying, and updating security information and data required for proper analysis of the security situation, including preparedness and risks.
  • Supports the development of the Security Plan and the Self-Assessment Programme for the mandatory mitigation measures.
  • Supports actions during the implementation of the Security Plan, as required; and assists with the monitoring of the security measures implementation as recommended in the Security Risks Management (SRM) process.
  • Disseminates, relays, exchanges, and communicates information regarding the security situation in the project assigned areas of Aleppo and Homs governorates.
  • Reports security incidents affecting UNOPS personnel, premises, assets, and operations, and assist in the preparation of security reports, such as the Security Incident Report and other Security Assessments.
  • Provides security orientation to newly assigned UNOPS personnel and conducts security briefings as assigned.
  • Provides guidance and advice to personnel on routine security procedures, communication channels, and focal points.
  • Administratively supports the organization of training courses on security awareness and preparedness.
  • Liaises with private companies used for UNOPS security at premises to facilitate the effective and efficient use of the guard force.
  • Administers field missions Mission Security Clearance Requests (MSCRs) and Host Government clearance processes.

  • Coordinates and tracks UNOPS field missions to facilitate movement within the country and provides guidance to mission participants in coordination with UNDSS.

  • Liaise with UNDSS and other UN agency security personnel on routine security matters.

  • Support operations as a Convoy Leader during UNOPS field missions, ensuring compliance with security and safety protocols and procedures.

  • Act as the primary security focal point during emergencies in the assigned area, ensuring timely coordination of response actions and clear communication between UNOPS personnel, UNDSS, and relevant stakeholders.

  • Ensure that UNOPS personnel adhere to established security procedures and protocols.

  • Maintain accurate logs of security-related assets (e.g., VHF radios, Thuraya phones, ETBs, IFAKs, armored vehicle security equipment).

  • Participate in security-related meetings (Area Security Cell, Area Security Management as an observer, Ad Hoc Security Cell meetings) and support documentation and follow-up decisions and required actions.


2. Office Administration

  • Provides general administrative services for the security function.
  • Maintains a database of contact details of host country security authorities.
  • Organizes meetings and briefings, arranges appointments, receives visitors, and takes minutes and/or notes at meetings.
  • Maintains routine and confidential correspondence files/documents, ensuring data security and other sensitive information.

  • Maintains an updated security shared drive and staff lists.

  • Maintain records of complete security training for UNOPS staff in the assigned area.

  • Support documentation and follow-up of decisions and required actions from security-related meetings.


3. Team Management

  • Facilitates the engagement and provision of high-quality results and services for the team, supervised through effective work planning and performance management.
  • Provides oversight, ensuring compliance by office personnel with existing security policies, procedures, and best practices.


4. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

  • Assists in organizing, facilitating, and/or delivering training and learning initiatives for UNOPS personnel on security.
  • Provides sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learned and dissemination of best practices in security.
  • Perform other security-related tasks assigned to support the security and operational effectiveness of UNOPS missions in the assigned area.



Skills

Leadership, Partnerships, Agility, Effective communication, Integrity, Results oriented
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Completion of secondary school is required with 4 years of relevant experience.


Desired

  • First University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines that will substitute for the years of experience.

  • Relevant certification in security-related studies that will substitute for the years of experience.

Experience Requirements

Required

  • A minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience in security or operations' services is required in national or international, public or corporate organizations. Relevant experience includes incident reporting, security administration support, security communication, telecommunication, and warden systems.


Desired

  • Prior experience with the UN system or international NGOs. Knowledge of Telecommunication (including HF and VHF). Possession of a valid driver's license. United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) certification of Local Security Assistant (LSA) or Security Certification Programme (SCP), Emergency Trauma Bag Training, and Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) Training.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired
ArabicFluentRequired

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that 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. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • 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.