Security Specialist

UNICEF is recruiting a Security Specialist at Level P-3 for its offices in Nairobi, Kenya, under a Fixed Term Appointment. The role supports security risk management, planning, preparedness, incident management and risk mitigation across UNICEF offices and designated locations in Nairobi.

Key Job Information

• Job Title: Security Specialist
• Job Number: 596009
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Appointment
• Duty Station: Nairobi
• Level: P-3
• Location: Kenya
• Category: Security
• Advertised: 30 Sep 2026 E. Africa Standard Time
• Deadline: 10 Oct 2026 E. Africa Standard Time

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights and help them fulfil their potential from early childhood through adolescence. The organization provides diverse professional and development opportunities while supporting children and communities around the world.

About the Role

The Security Specialist will support the Representative, Chief Field Office or Country Security Specialist in fulfilling security responsibilities under the United Nations Security Management System and UNICEF security policies.

Based in Nairobi, the position supports the security requirements of all UNICEF offices in the city, including an expanding operational footprint, personnel presence, premises, missions, partnerships, events and programme support functions.

The role contributes to principled and timely programme delivery within acceptable levels of risk through security risk analysis, planning, preparedness, access support, incident management and appropriate risk mitigation measures. The Security Specialist will also lead and manage a team of national security professionals to provide integrated, coordinated and responsive security support.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Security Risk Management and Planning: Support security risk analysis, planning, preparedness and implementation of appropriate mitigation measures.
• Security Services: Manage and support security activities for UNICEF offices and designated locations in Nairobi.
• Programmatic Security Information Analysis: Contribute to security information analysis supporting UNICEF operations and programme delivery.
• Security Networking and Partnership Building: Coordinate with UNDSS, the Security Cell, other United Nations Security Management System actors and relevant partners, including under the Saving Lives Together framework.
• Innovation, Knowledge Management and Capacity Building: Strengthen security knowledge, capabilities and responsive security support across the organization.
• Lead and manage national security professionals providing security services across UNICEF offices in Nairobi.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent advanced university degree in security studies, international relations, political science, criminology, emergency management, public administration, risk management or another related field.
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• At least 5 years of relevant professional experience in security, global security risk management, security analysis or related fields.
• Fluency in English.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Knowledge of another official UN language, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish, or a local language.
• International security management experience and understanding of the United Nations Security Management System.
• Relevant country-level experience, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

Core Competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships.
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness.
• Drives to achieve results for impact.
• Innovates and embraces change.
• Manages ambiguity and complexity.
• Thinks and acts strategically.
• Works collaboratively with others.
• Nurtures, leads and manages people.

Additional Information

UNICEF promotes an inclusive and representative workforce and encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, or disability. Reasonable accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process.

Selected candidates will undergo reference, safeguarding and background verification checks, including verification of academic credentials and employment history. UNICEF appointments are also subject to medical clearance and applicable visa and vaccination requirements.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of recruitment, selection or hiring and will not request applicants’ bank account information. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official UNICEF recruitment process before the stated deadline. The complete Job Description is available through the UNICEF Careers posting under Job Number 596009.

Application Deadline: 10 Oct 2026 E. Africa Standard Time