Security Operations Support Officer - NOA

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

15 October 2026-23:59-GMT+03:00 Arabian Standard Time (Aden)

WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity, for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of extreme weather shocks.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

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WHY JOIN WFP?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment.
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities.
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe.
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section of this vacancy announcement).

• JOB TITLE: Security Operations Support Officer
• TYPE CONTRACT: NOA, Fixed-Term
• DUTY STATION: Aden, Yemen
• DURATION: 12 months

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT:

The Security Operations Support Officer is based in the WFP Aden Country Office and reports to the Chief Security Officer/Head of Security. The incumbent supports the planning, coordination and implementation of security operations across the Area of Responsibility, contributing to the safe and effective delivery of WFP programmes in a complex and high-risk environment.

The position requires initiative, sound professional judgement and the ability to manage operational security priorities with limited supervision. Responsibilities include security risk management, analysis and reporting, mission and movement planning, incident and emergency response, humanitarian access, physical security, and implementation and monitoring of Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs).

The incumbent maintains operational coordination with UNDSS, UN agencies, relevant authorities and humanitarian partners, provides technical security advice, and may deploy at short notice in response to operational or security requirements.

JOB PURPOSE:

To support the planning and management of WFP security operations through risk analysis, operational security planning, incident and emergency management, mission support, humanitarian access, physical security and implementation of SRMMs.

Provide timely security analysis, technical advice and risk-based recommendations to support management decision-making, operational continuity and the protection of WFP personnel, premises, assets and operations in accordance with WFP and UNSMS requirements.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority):

1. Monitor and analyse security developments, conflict dynamics, incidents, access constraints and emerging threats that may affect WFP personnel, beneficiaries, partners, facilities, movements and programme delivery, providing timely operational recommendations to management.

2. Plan and coordinate security support for field missions and humanitarian operations, including route and destination assessments, movement planning, security briefings, communications, tracking arrangements and implementation of required risk mitigation measures.

3. Conduct and support Security Risk Management (SRM) and ad-hoc security assessments for new or changing WFP activities, locations and operational areas, and monitor implementation of approved Security Risk Management Measures (SRMMs).

4. Work closely with Programme, Logistics, Supply Chain and Field Offices to identify security and access constraints affecting food assistance, distributions, assessments, monitoring activities and other field operations, and recommend practical measures to enable safe programme delivery.

5. Maintain operational liaison with UNDSS, UN agencies, relevant authorities, community representatives, humanitarian partners and other security stakeholders to support information sharing, humanitarian access, field movements and incident response.

6. Coordinate security arrangements for WFP movements, including route assessments, convoy and escort requirements, movement tracking, communications and contingency arrangements, ensuring compliance with established procedures and approved SRMMs.

7. Conduct physical security assessments of WFP offices, warehouses, guesthouses and other operational facilities, identify vulnerabilities and oversee appropriate mitigation measures, including access control, guarding, perimeter protection, CCTV, screening and emergency arrangements.

8. Apply an integrated and layered physical security approach, including the principles of deter, detect, delay and deny, ensuring that personnel, procedures and technical security systems collectively provide appropriate protection to WFP facilities and operations.

9. Coordinate the initial security response to incidents affecting WFP personnel or operations, ensuring timely notification, personnel accountability, information verification, operational advice and follow-up actions, and support crisis and emergency management as required.

10. Maintain and regularly test emergency preparedness and personnel accountability arrangements, including communications, warden systems, emergency contact procedures, relocation/evacuation arrangements and other contingency measures.

11. Prepare timely and operationally focused security reports, advisories, incident reports, assessments, SOPs and security plans, translating security information into practical recommendations for WFP management and operational units.

12. Provide security briefings and operational advice to personnel before field missions and upon arrival in the duty station, ensuring awareness of current threats, movement restrictions, emergency procedures and required mitigation measures.

13. Plan and conduct security training, drills and exercises for WFP personnel and security support staff, including emergency response, communications, access control and other identified operational requirements.

14. Manage and monitor security equipment and systems, ensuring communications and protective equipment remain operational, properly accounted for and available to support field missions, facilities and emergency response.

15. Supervise and provide technical guidance to assigned security personnel, guards and contracted security providers, ensuring operational readiness, compliance with procedures and appropriate standards of performance.

16. Support security-related budgeting, procurement and resource planning, ensuring requirements are based on operational risks and programme needs and that security resources are deployed effectively.

17. Deploy at short notice to support field operations, security assessments, incidents, emergencies or emerging humanitarian requirements, and perform other security duties as directed by the Chief Security Officer/Head of Security.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE:

• Demonstrated experience in providing operational security support to humanitarian programmes, preferably in complex, high-risk or conflict-affected environments.
• Experience in security risk management and operational security planning, including development or contribution to SRM and Ad-Hoc SRM assessments, identification of threats and vulnerabilities, development of mitigation measures and monitoring of SRMM implementation.
• Experience in supporting humanitarian access, including assessment of security and access constraints, stakeholder liaison and development of practical measures to enable programme delivery.
• Experience in planning and supporting field missions and humanitarian operations, including route and location assessments, movement planning, security briefings and contingency arrangements.
• Ability to work with Programme, Supply Chain, Logistics and Field Offices to integrate security considerations into operational planning and facilitate safe humanitarian delivery.
• Experience in analysing security and conflict developments and translating information into practical operational advice, security assessments, plans, SOPs and recommendations.
• Experience in coordinating with UNDSS, UN agencies, relevant authorities, humanitarian partners and other stakeholders in support of access, security planning and operations.
• Experience in incident and emergency management, security communications, personnel accountability and physical security is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and develop practical, proportionate and risk-based solutions that enable humanitarian operations while managing security risks.
• Completion of the online UNDSS Security Certification Programme (SCP-R), is required.

STANDARD MINIMUM ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Advanced University degree in Security Management, International Relations or Law Enforcement or other relevant field, or First University degree with additional years of related work experience and/or training/courses. A diploma obtained from Military/Police Academy with qualifying relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the First University degree.

Experience: Total relevant 5 years of experience including 1 year of Professional experience in security operations, security risk management and operational security planning, preferably in humanitarian, UN or other complex and high-risk environments. Experience supporting field operations, humanitarian access, SRM/Ad-Hoc SRM processes, security assessments and coordination with relevant stakeholders is desirable. Managerial experience, including supervision of security personnel, task prioritization, operational coordination and provision of technical guidance to security teams, is an asset.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Good knowledge of security risk management principles, UNSMS methodology and operational security planning, including SRM/Ad-Hoc SRM processes and implementation of SRMMs.
• Ability to analyse security, conflict and access-related information and translate findings into practical, risk-based recommendations supporting humanitarian operations and management decision-making.
• Good understanding of humanitarian operations and access, including the integration of security considerations into programme planning, field missions and operational delivery.
• Knowledge of incident and emergency management, contingency planning, movement security and physical security principles.
• Ability to develop clear and concise security assessments, operational plans, SOPs, advisories and analytical reports.
• Strong communication, coordination and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage effectively with management, UNDSS, UN agencies, authorities, humanitarian partners and other stakeholders.
• Ability to deliver effective security briefings, training and operational guidance to personnel and security support teams.
• Sound judgement, initiative and ability to prioritize and manage multiple security requirements in complex and rapidly evolving operational environments.
• Good understanding of WFP/UN operational processes and ability to apply relevant WFP and UNSMS security policies, procedures and standards.

Language: Fluency (level C) in English language and the duty station’s language, if different.

Additional consideration: Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

WFP Leadership Framework guides to the common standards of behavior that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Click here to access WFP Leadership Framework

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

WFP is committed to supporting individuals with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, please contact: [email protected]

NO FEE DISCLAIMER

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• All applications must be submitted exclusively through our online recruiting system. We do not consider CVs or applications sent by email, LinkedIn, or any other channel.

• We strongly recommend that your Workday profile is accurate and complete, and that all sections are filled in, including your employment history, academic qualifications, language skills, and UN grade (if applicable). Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application.

• If you experience technical issues while submitting your application, you may contact us at [email protected]. Please note that this email is only for technical issues with an application - unsolicited applications or documents sent to this inbox will not receive a reply.

• At the application stage, the only required documents are your CV and Cover Letter. Additional documents (passport, certificates, recommendation letters, etc.) may be requested later in the process.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.