Org. Setting and Reporting

The Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) is responsible for providing leadership, operational support and oversight of the United Nations security management system (UNSMS) globally. As a global leader in security risk management principles, UNDSS enables the safe and effective delivery of United Nations programmes and activities in the most complex and challenging environments, while maximizing precious resources. To this end, the work of the Department is aligned under a clear mission, to enable United Nations system programme activities through trusted security leadership and solutions. This is a unique opportunity to join a diverse, dynamic and exciting organization gaining unique and valuable experience where security provides great value. Besides the opportunity to gain new skills and further advance security expertise, this position offers a fulfilling environment that gives you satisfaction by contributing directly or indirectly to peace and security, human rights, and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. For more information on the Department, and how we make an impact on the world in enabling the achievement of SDGs, visit: https://www.un.org/undss/ The Chief, Hostage Incident Management Unit (HIMU) will report directly to the Deputy Director of Field Operations at UN Headquarters in New York. The post is currently located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. However, the duty station may be subject to change due to the operational needs. Dubai is designated by the International Civil Service Commission as “A” hardship and a family duty station. The incumbent will be expected to travel up to nine months a year outside his/her duty station.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief, Hostage Incident Management Unit (HIMU) may be responsible for the following duties:

• Serves as principal UNDSS focal point for HIMU preparedness and response across the United Nations Security Management System organizations on all HIMU matters, policies and procedures.
• Identifies members of the Hostage Incident Management Team.
• Chairs the HIMU team, building consensus to ensure alignment and support, providing strategic guidance to security professionals during HIMU-related incidents, including liaison with Member States and host governments.
• Leads the development of the global UNSMS HIMU strategies and oversees its planning, execution, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Leads the preparation, development, review, and implementation of the HIMU strategic framework, Action Plan, policy, guidelines, SOPs, and response protocols in consultation with UNSMS organizations. Ensures alignment of Hostage Management initiatives with broader UNSMS policies.
• Participates in meetings, committees, and task forces; prepares papers and detailed reports; delivers briefings and presentations for UNDSS leadership, as needed.
• Advises on the inclusion of security in all stages of United Nations activities and programmes. Provides operational and strategic advice and support to line managers responsible for security. Enables the delivery of mandates and programmes through direct operational assistance.
• Oversees complex HIMU cases, prioritizing work to meet deadlines and following defined processes, policies, procedures, and guidance, fostering alignment with colleagues and across organizations.
• Monitors and leads activities related to the implementation and evaluation of performance indicators and monitors milestones to ensure effective implementation of the HIMU Strategy; drives the development of lessons-learned activities that help support operational efficiency and effectiveness. Guides the definition of policies, methodology, and processes for the implementation of the substantive activities of the relevant teams (Security Team, Division, Unit, or Section).
• Ensures effective communication and trust through active collaboration, consultation, and exchanges with UN system organizations and other stakeholders for information sharing, coordination of responses, and provision of security briefings, taking into account operational activities and risks.
• Collaborates closely with peers and colleagues, non-governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, Host Government representatives, and external experts to strengthen hostage coordination and exchange on policy.
• Strengthens awareness and capacity of personnel by designing and implementing HM training programmes and simulation exercises for UNSMS personnel, including Designated Officials (DOs), Desk Officers, Stress Counsellors, and Security Professionals; advises and represents UNDSS in inter-agency working groups, training forums, and relevant international conferences.
• Ensures the conduct of HIMU surveys and assessments; facilitates debriefs and after-action reviews following hostage incidents to extract lessons learned and improve future responses; creatively leverages tools and processes, identifying and recommending simple, reasonable, inclusive, effective, and efficient HIMU measures, including when there is incomplete, contradictory, and/or fluid information.
• Ensures implementation and maintenance of a functioning HIMU System.
• Ensures conduct of budget, finance, and logistical planning for the security office and participation in relevant United Nations administration, finance, and logistics forums. Supports resource mobilization.
• Leads and manages the HIMU team; develops strategic goals, objectives, and plans for the delivery of the substantive activities of the unit or section and implements corresponding outputs; anticipates human resources needs through workforce planning; assesses performance and supports the development of security personnel under his/her supervision.
• Ensures implementation of departmental approaches to mainstreaming gender, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of the work, as well as ensuring the implementation of people-centred security risk management approaches considering specific threats or vulnerabilities of personnel and adapting practices and measures in support of diversity and inclusion.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate, and share the data they need.
• Performs other functions as directed. Competencies Professionalism: Demonstrates respect and sensitivity towards diversity in all its forms, in all cultural, gender, and religious settings. Takes responsibility for incorporating different perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Contributes to an environment in which others can speak and act without fear of repercussion; places confidence in and builds trust with colleagues and stakeholders. Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, including self-awareness and contextual intelligence. Shows openness to learning and commitment to selfdevelopment. Identifies issues, researches, collects data, demonstrates situational awareness, and applies conceptual, analytical, and evaluative skills; participates in the resolution of issues and problems, demonstrating critical thinking, perceptiveness, judgement, and decisionmaking. Demonstrates an ability to implement policies. Shows the ability to make quick decisions in emergencies or when rapid response is needed. Communicates complex concepts effectively both verbally and in writing. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of Hostage Incident Management strategies, tools, and practices in an international environment. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Shows the ability to prioritize, manage, and implement multiple highlevel projects in a timely manner, even in fastchanging…