Security Officer

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

Bangladesh is the second-largest economy in South Asia, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over USD 450 billion. Between 2000 and 2019, the economy grew at an average of around 6 per cent per year, accompanied by broad gains in human development. The national poverty rate fell from over 48 per cent in 2000 to about 18.7 per cent in 2022, and the Human Development Index reached 0.685 in 2023, placing Bangladesh in the medium human development category. The country is scheduled to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in November 2026.

Significant development challenges remain. GDP growth slowed to 3.49 per cent in fiscal year 2024–25, inflation has stayed elevated, and private investment is weak, constraining the economic diversification needed to create decent jobs. Bangladesh is also one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, highly exposed to natural and climate-induced hazards.

As the UN’s development agency, UNDP has worked in Bangladesh since 1972, partnering with the government to advance democratic governance, climate adaptation, environmental protection, and inclusive growth. This support spans high-quality policy and technical advice, implementation support, development financing, and knowledge sharing.

The programme portfolio is organized into two clusters and a Sub-Office in Cox’s Bazar; Democratic Governance, and Resilience and Inclusive Growth aligned to the Country Programme Document (CPD) and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Each cluster is led by a Cluster Team Leader (functional title: Assistant Resident Representative) and Sub-Office by its head responsible for programme and project quality, results, and effective relationships with implementing partners and donors. Across both clusters, the Operations Team and the Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) provide cross-cutting oversight and quality assurance, helping to ensure compliance, delivery readiness, and sound financial and operational management.

The Operations Team is a key enabler of programme delivery, ensuring the right systems, resources, and processes are in place for results to happen. Working under the leadership of the Operations Advisor, it covers the full range of operational functions administration, procurement, finance, human resources, ICT, and security and collaborates closely with programme teams, extending operational support to partner UN agencies where needed. Its core focus is compliance with UNDP rules and regulations, effective internal controls, and continuous improvement of operational systems, combining sound process management with responsiveness, anticipation of programme needs, and sound judgment.

UNDP Bangladesh delivers a diverse programme portfolio spanning democratic governance, climate and environment, and inclusive growth, including operations in geographically remote and security-sensitive areas such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts and coastal, disaster-prone districts. Programme delivery depends on a functioning security risk management framework that enables personnel, partners and communities to operate safely. The Host Government bears primary responsibility for the safety and security of personnel and property of organizations within the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS). UNDSS holds responsibility for United Nations system security risk management in Bangladesh, including the security risk assessments, the security risk management measures, the country security plan, the Security Operations Centre, the warden system and the issuance of advisories. The Country Office security function, working with the UNDP Security Office, the Regional Security Advisor and the Sub-Regional Security Specialist, and with UNDSS, supports UNDP compliance with that framework; it does not substitute for it.

Bangladesh has been undergoing a significant political transition since August 2024. National elections and a constitutional referendum held in February 2026 returned a new elected government. The security risk management situational analyses describe the political climate as cautiously stable but fragile, with law-and-order institutions still being reconstituted and primacy for public order returning to the police and civil authorities. UNDP operations fall within seven security risk management areas. The approved general threat assessments rate crime, civil unrest and hazards as substantial or high in the Dhaka Metro, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong Hill Tracts areas, and the security level in the Dhaka Metro and Chittagong Hill Tracts areas is 3 (Moderate).

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall security accountability of the Resident Representative and the day-to-day supervision of the Operations Advisor, and under the technical supervision of the Sub-Regional Security Specialist for Asia and the Pacific together with the Regional Security Advisor, the Security Officer provides security risk management support to Country Office management to enable effective UNDP programme delivery throughout Bangladesh, within the framework of the UNSMS and UNDP security policies and procedures. The position prepares, analyses and recommends; decisions carrying operational risk consequences are taken by the Resident Representative, the Deputy Resident Representative or the Operations Advisor.

The incumbent will have the following specific duties and responsibilities:

1. Security risk management and programming support

• Support the preparation of security risk assessments for UNDP programmes, projects and operations across all areas of assignment, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts and other field locations, and recommend mitigation measures for the approval of the Resident Representative or the Operations Advisor.
• Support the mainstreaming of security, and its costs, into all stages of programme and project design, implementation and delivery, under the technical guidance of the Regional Security Advisor and the Sub-Regional Security Specialist.
• Analyse the effect of security factors and trends on programme planning and delivery, and the effect of programme design on stability and security and submit recommendations to management.
• Prepare inputs for UNDSS for the preparation and periodic update of country and area-specific security risk assessments and related documentation.
• Support application of the Person-Centred Approach in security risk management to address specific threats, risks or vulnerabilities identified through assessments.

2. Security plans, business continuity and compliance with the UN security framework

• Support the establishment, maintenance and testing of Country Office security and contingency plans in accordance with the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM) and the country-specific Security Risk Management (SRM) process, in coordination with UNDSS.
• Ensure that all UNDP personnel, including project personnel and eligible dependants, are captured in the Security Plan maintained by UNDSS, working with the Human Resources and Procurement Units to keep personnel and eligible family member lists current.
• Prepare security-related inputs to the Country Office Business Continuity Plan, aligned with UNDP Business Continuity Management, Enterprise Risk Management and the UN Country Team Business Continuity Plan.
• Monitor and report on compliance with Security Risk Management Measures (SRMM) and Residential Security Measures (RSM) for UNDP premises, residences, equipment and personnel, through the UNDP corporate Security Compliance Survey (SCS) online tool.
• Prepare advice for the Resident Representative and the Operations Advisor on funding requirements under the UN Mandated Security Measures mechanism, reflecting the measures identified through the country-specific SRM process.
• Coordinate fire safety, first aid, security communications and other security-related training for Country Office personnel, in collaboration with UNDSS.
• Prepare and process security clearance requests for UNDP personnel travelling to restricted or field areas, for approval by the Operations Advisor.

3. Support to Country Office security personnel, briefing and training 

• Provide day-to-day work direction and technical guidance to the Security Assistant based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. 
• Deliver orientation, briefings and training to UNDP personnel, national and international, on security guidelines, communication procedures, travel precautions and emergency and curfew arrangements, in coordination with the Regional Security Advisor, the Sub-Regional Security Specialist and UNDSS.
• Ensure that security equipment inventories, communication systems and access control mechanisms are maintained and kept up to date.
• Identify learning and capacity-building needs of Country Office security personnel and coordinate with the Regional Security Advisor, the Sub-Regional Security Specialist and UNDSS on relevant training opportunities.

4. Incident reporting, information and liaison support and support knowledge sharing 

• Provide timely and accurate security advice and briefings to the Resident Representative, the Deputy Resident Representative, the Operations Advisor, programme and project managers and visiting personnel.
• Report immediately all security-related incidents involving UNDP personnel and eligible family members to the Resident Representative, the Operations Advisor, the Regional Security Advisor, the Sub-Regional Security Specialist and UNDSS, and support coordinated 24-hour incident response.
• Support liaison with UNDSS and with security counterparts in other UN agencies. Liaison with national law enforcement, civil authorities and host Government security authorities is conducted through UNDSS or in the company of a designated UNDP staff member.
• Attend inter-agency security coordination mechanisms, including the Security Cell, the Area Security Management Team and the Security Management Team, in a technical support capacity accompanying the designated UNDP staff member, and prepare the supporting technical inputs and briefing material.
• Contribute to security-related knowledge networks and professional communities within UNDP and the wider UNSMS.

5. Premises and residential security compliance support

• Conduct periodic security assessments of UNDP premises, guesthouses, vehicles and equipment, and advise on shortfalls with recommended SRM and RSM measures.
• Support implementation of physical security and access control measures, including visitor and vehicle screening, for Country Office and project premises.
• Provide technical support to the designated UNDP staff member on UNDP security requirements in common UN premises, ensuring that the safety and security of personnel remain primary considerations.

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

Institutional Arrangement

The Security Officer works under the overall security accountability of the Resident Representative and the direct day-to-day supervision of the Operations Advisor, with technical supervision provided by the Sub-Regional Security Specialist for Asia and the Pacific together with the Regional Security Advisor, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific.

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
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
• People Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

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 safety and security plans.
  • including ability to design and test safety and security plan
• Security advice, planning and coordination
  • Ability to provide authoritative advice and guidance on security management, and to plan and coordinate security activities.
• Security information management
  • Analytical capability 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 premises
• Security crisis management & response
  • Knowledge of crisis management and response arrangements as well as the ability to prepare for, respond to, support/manage security crisis events

Business Management

• Communication
  • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner, both in writing and verbally; 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Management, Security Studies or a related field is required; Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in a related field, in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying security or development-related work experience, will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree; or
• A formal multi-year education in security management, such as military or police Command and Staff College (minimum 9 months full-time) with senior level command experience.
• Formal training in security risk management is an asset.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or formal multi-year security management education) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant security or development professional experience.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Field security experience in Bangladesh outside Dhaka, in particular in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar or the coastal districts, and security risk management during a period of civil disturbance, election-related unrest or major natural disaster response.
• Previous experience with the United Nations or another UNSMS organization, including contributing to formal security risk assessments under the Security Risk Management process and applying the Person-Centred Approach.
• Experience monitoring and reporting compliance with Security Risk Management Measures and Residential Security Measures, and contributing to security, contingency, evacuation, relocation or business continuity plans and to testing them.
• Demonstrated experience preparing written security analysis, advisories or briefing notes for senior management, and liaising with national law enforcement, the armed forces or civil administration on security matters in Bangladesh.
• Experience conducting physical security or premises assessments and advising on access control, perimeter protection, closed-circuit television and fire safety measures, including oversight of unarmed private security providers and of security communications and personnel-tracking systems.
• Experience delivering security briefings, inductions and training, such as Security Awareness Training, fire safety, first aid, defensive driving or warden training, indicating the audience and the volume.
• Working knowledge of UNSMS and UNDP security policy, including the UN Security Policy Manual (SPM), Security Risk Management (SRM) and Residential Security Measures (RSM), and UNDSS structures, is required, or must be acquired promptly upon engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in a supervisory or team-lead capacity, or clear readiness to provide day-to-day work direction to national security support personnel.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and standard office software (MS Word, Excel and similar) and familiarity with ERP or web-based management systems.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in Bangla is required.

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

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Data Privacy

Please click here to view UNDP Data Privacy Statement