Regional Hub Security Associate [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2]
- Organisation: UNDP
- Location: Istanbul, Türkiye
- Deadline: 18 November 2026
Duties and Responsibilities
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
UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub is UNDP’s advisory hub for the Europe and the CIS region tasked with the responsibility to provide policy and programmatic support to UNDP’s development activities in the region. Throughout UNDP’s focus areas, it works towards increasing the impact of UNDP’s activities in the region by assisting Country Offices in development of country-level initiatives through advisory services and technical support and by implementing regional-level projects in partnership with a wide range of partners supported to a global network of expertise. Under the leadership of the Manager, the RBEC Regional Hub employs will a multi-disciplinary team of specialists and advisors, project managers, operations and programme support staff.
IRH is a common premises/services with other UN Agencies, including IFAD, UNDCO, UNICEF, UNDSS, and UN Women. Under the immediate supervision of the IRH Operations Advisor, the Regional Hub Security Associate (IRH SA) will provide assistance in the implementation of the security plan and all matters relating to safety and security operations and management. The Regional Hub Security Associate will report to the Regional Security Advisor (RSA) for functional security matters.
Overall, it is important to note that the IRH SA is a local national with vocational experience in security and assists in the implementation of security operations and all matters relating to the management of safety and security for Istanbul Regional Hub personnel
IRH 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 IRH security team, in collaboration with UNDP Security Office and regional security staff, reinforces and supplements the capacity of the Host Government where needed to enable ongoing delivery of UNDP programmes, particularly in insecure and unstable environments. Specifically, the IRH SA ensures the integration and mainstreaming of security risk management into IRH Office operations, including incorporation of security considerations into the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all IRH projects and programmes.
Under the guidance and supervision of the Hub Manager and Operations Advisor, the Regional Hub Security Associate implement the establishment of security measures and sound security management at the IRH. Assists in providing security management support to the protection of and minimization of risk to UNDP personnel, property and operations while at the same time enabling UNDP programme delivery throughout the country and/or established project areas. The IRH SA supports the region's country offices when required, including with surge deployment and safety and security training.
The IRH SA may supervise the IRH Office GS security staff and interacts with UN Department of Security and Safety (UNDSS), security partners in other UN agencies, national and local security counterparts, counterparts in Diplomatic missions, NGOs, municipal/civic/religious and traditional leaders to exchange information and implement security programs.
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
1.) Assist in providing security management support and provide guidance on relevant security policies and regulations to the IRH management through the IRH Operations Advisor to enable effective programme delivery and activities of IRH while protecting and minimizing those risks to UNDP personnel and operations
• Contribute to and conduct security risk management for UN Security Management System (SMS) and UNDP Programmes in designated areas. Assist in mainstreaming security and its costs into all levels of programme design, implementation and delivery by monitoring assigned projects and programmes, under guidance of more senior security staff in the country or region.
• Working closely with more senior security staff in country or region, review the impact of security factors on UNDP Programme design and delivery as well as the potential impact that programmes might have on stability and security. Make recommendations regarding possible security needs and improvements.
• Working in close coordination with more senior staff in the country or region, in conducting of UNDP security risk assessments, and advise the IRH management on security measures for UNDP offices and projects in all locations to address security risks and support their implementation.
• Support the implementation of person-centered security risk management approaches to address specific threats or vulnerabilities in alignment with security assessment results and procedures.
• Provide inputs for UNDSS in preparing country security documents covering areas where UNDP staff, dependents and equipment are present
2.) Support the IRH in implementing the IRH Security Plan, Contingency Plans, Business Continuity Management, and the UN Security Framework
• Coordinate with UNDSS to provide guidance to the IRH security team to ensure availability of updated and adequate procedures for dealing with emergencies involving UNDP staff and operations, in consultation with or guidance from senior security staff in country or region.
• Ensure coordination with the HR Unit in the maintenance and ongoing provision of updated Staff Lists to UNDSS to ensure that all UNDP personnel are covered by relevant Security Plans.
• Formulate and test UNDP specific security and contingency plans of the Istanbul Regional Hub, as needed, and including IRH Business Continuity Plan.
• Conduct / organize , SSAFE, IFAK, Road Safety, fire safety, first aid, and security communications training for the appropriate staff members in coordination with UNDSS or other relevant agencies and provide security orientation training to newly assigned personnel and dependents.
• In coordination with HR, monitor UNDP staff security training compliance
• Provide advice on selection and procurement of appropriate security equipment, and monitor their deployment and functionality
3.) Monitor the security compliance of UNDP IRH premises and international staff residences.
• Provide input to the implementation of physical security and security risk management measures for UNDP IRH premises.
• Conduct periodic appropriate security assessments of UNDP premises and equipment and provide advice on shortfalls in security preparedness with recommended improvements and solutions.
• Represent UNDP security interests, when delegated, in any common premises that UNDP occupies in the country ensuring that staff safety and security are primary considerations
4.) Provide timely and accurate information and briefings to UNDP Management and advice to staff on security procedures, processes and requirements; and maintain contact with security counterparts internally and externally to facilitate the flow of information on important security matters affecting UNDP programmes, the IRH and its personnel.
• Produce and provide substantive input in the preparation of security reports as required by the IRH and the Security Office in a timely and efficient manner.
• For all security and safety related incidents involving UNDP staff and eligible dependents, provide support in coordination with UNDSS and immediately report such incidents to UNDSS in the country as well as to the most senior security staff in the duty station or the UNDP Security Office.
• Maintain, test and implement UNDP IRH security communication systems and processes to ensure integration with UN Security Communication System.
• Coordinate with partner organizations and counterparts to ensure the safety and security of UNDP staff as the highest priority in planning and carrying out missions.
• Represent UNDP at Security Cell and other security meetings as required.
• 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: May supervise IRH GS security staff
Competencies
Core competencies:
• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process