UNDP/UN House Security Associate [Open to internal and external applicants]

UNDP · Chisinau, Republic of Moldova · Deadline: 07 Nov 2026

Grade: TA Local · Schedule: Full time

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The UNDP Country Office success in its delivery of UNDP 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 UN House Security Team provides security coverage for UN House personnel, visitors, premises and assets, including 24/7 coverage of designated security posts and daytime coverage during UN House working hours.

Position Purpose

This position serves a dual function, supporting both the UN House/Common Services security arrangements, while also supporting UNDP's broader operational and programmatic objectives.

Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Operations Manager, the UNDP- UN House Security Associate supports the activity of the UN House Security Team and provides reliable security services for UN House Agencies. The assignment will include supporting the security arrangement with an outsourced security service, including preparation of technical requirements, technical support to related procurement process and monitoring of contractor performance. Further to support UNDP as required in the implementation of security and safety management in Moldova

The incumbent will work in close coordination with the UN House Management Committee, UNDP Procurement and other relevant functions for the outsourced security services transition and contract implementation. He/she will also work in close coordination with the UNDSS Security Associate for technical security guidance on UN House related matters as well as with UNDP Security Office, through the RSA/SRSS for technical guidance on UNDP related security matters.

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

Performance monitoring of the security company (Guards team):

  • Monitor and coordinate the outsourced security services, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted security coverage of UN House.
  • Support induction and briefing of the selected company’s deployed personnel on UN House security procedures, access control arrangements, control-center functions, CCTV and access-control systems, fire and emergency procedures, incident reporting requirements, confidentiality and standards of conduct.
  • Draft and/or coordinate post instructions, relevant SOPs, logbooks, access arrangements and operational information required for the UN House security service.
  • Check, against contractual requirements, that deployed contractor personnel meet the required qualifications, training and documentation requirements and that the contractor has the required staffing/replacement arrangements in place.
  • Monitor service delivery against the contract, technical specifications and agreed KPIs, including staffing levels, attendance, post coverage, response to incidents, reporting, replacement arrangements and compliance with UN House security procedures.
  • Maintain regular operational communication with the contractor’s designated supervisor/team leader and promptly escalate performance gaps, security incidents or non-compliance with the UNDP Operations Manager, with technical coordination with UNDSS as appropriate.
  • Monitor the performance and conduct of Security Guards and ensure compliance with applicable SOPs and security instructions and support follow-up on corrective actions and prepare periodic performance observations/reports as required.
  • Support verification that the contractor operates in accordance with applicable Moldovan legislation and contractual obligations, while referring legal or contractual compliance issues to the responsible UNDP functions for determination.

Monitor the Access Control and Control Center:

  • Control admission of authorized personnel and movement of United Nations property into and out of the premises.
  • Ensure that unauthorized personnel and prohibited items do not gain access to UN House facilities.
  • Conduct patrols and physical security checks of the compound, offices, perimeter and parking areas, and report irregularities.
  • Use relevant technical screening and access-control equipment and maintain control of the emergency key system and related records.
  • Maintain and/or supervise operation of the security control center.
  • Prepare, print, issue, activate/deactivate and replace UN House access cards for personnel, as required, and maintain accurate records of cards issued, returned, lost, damaged or cancelled.
  • Monitor and control, as applicable, the UN House Emergency Line and Panic Button, video surveillance system, fire safety and suppression system, electronic door locking/access-control system and VHF working channel.
  • Ensure familiarity with and compliance with established procedures for operation of security systems.

Assist in supporting CO in Emergency Response:

  • Act as a support response during emergencies or security incidents and promptly report to the designated supervisors.
  • Be familiar with emergency procedures, Security Standard Operating Procedures and contingency plans and support their implementation.
  • Know how to use firefighting equipment and support emergency response measures on the premises.
  • Respond to emergencies affecting the safety and security of UN House personnel, visitors, assets and facilities in accordance with authorized procedures.

Overall security support to UNDP management and personnel:

  • Provide support in keeping UNDP management informed of security matters affecting UNDP programmes and its personnel.
  • Assist in implementing the Country Security Plan, Contingency Plans, and Business Continuity Management.
  • Provide support to the UNDP Operations Manager on implementation of relevant security arrangements, including Warden System support, maps, security routes and related documents, as requested.
  • Gather information for inclusion in Country Office security reports;
  • Respond to and assist in reporting safety and security incidents affecting UNDP personnel and eligible dependents by gathering and verifying security information relevant to analyzing the situation;
  • Maintain information of UNDP security contact details;
  • Assist UNDP OM with the preparation and updating security aspects of procedures for dealing with emergencies involving UNDP staff and operations;
  • Provide support in organizing training courses on security awareness and preparedness for UNDP personnel and provide security briefings to newly recruited employees;
  • Assist UNDP OM during emergencies, incidents and security-related events;
  • Monitoring news/information with potential impact on the security environment through different external and internal sources and providing information to OM on possible effects to UNDP personnel, programs and assets;
  • Contribute to knowledge networks and professional communities.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: None

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 and Technical competencies:

Business Management

  • Communication
    • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
  • Customer Satisfaction/Client management
    • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
    • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
    • Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
    • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Security Services

  • Safety and Security risk management
    • Ability to assess threats and risks, identify and oversee implementation of mitigation measures, including ability to design and test security plans.
  • Security advice, planning and coordination
    • Ability to provide with authoritative advice and guidance on security management, plan and coordinate security activities.
  • Security information management
    • Analytical capabilities to process diverse security information and develop recommendations.
  • Physical/premises security design, implementation and management
    • Ability to conduct accurate premises assessments on UN facilities to ensure appropriate mitigation measures are in place. Ability to design, support the implementation and test physical security systems for UNDP managed premises.

2030 Agenda:

  • People Gender
    • Gender Equality Strategy

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Secondary Education is required.
  • University degree (bachelor’s or master’s equivalent) in Political Science, Military Studies, Security Management, Management or a relevant field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 6 years (with secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible experience in security, preferably in the military, governmental, private or police context or international organization security services.

Required skills:

  • 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.
  • Valid driver’s license is required.

Desirable skills:

  • Applicable security, police and/or military training is desirable.
  • Prior experience with the UN system, Embassy or an international NGO is desirable.
  • Experience managing or supervising security systems including CCTV, access control and fire-alarm systems is desired.
  • Experience supervising security personnel and/or coordinating security operations is desired.
  • Experience with technical protection equipment, radio and telecommunication equipment is desired.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English and Romanian is required.
  • Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova would be an asset.

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.

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

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