Section CSECURITY TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION

C H A P T E R V

Compliance with Security Policies and Procedures

Promulgation Date: Technical Review:

8 November 20121 May 2017

UNSMS Security Policy Manual – Security Training and Certification

A. Introduction

1. To fulfil respective security-related responsibilities as detailed in the Framework of

Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System, United Nations

personnel at all levels requires proper training. Security-related training offers one of the

most cost-effective ways to lower risks1 to United Nations personnel, premises and assets.

The Framework of Accountability clearly states that “all actors of the UNSMS are

empowered by providing them with the necessary resources, training and a clear

understanding of their responsibilities”.2

2. The responsibility of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) for

security training across the whole United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS)

is mandated by the General Assembly.3 The UNSMS must have sustainable, coherent and

targeted security learning programmes, including harmonized and regulated content for all

security-related courses. Security training raises security awareness, promotes security

culture and consciousness, improves security preparedness and creates the capacity to

respond effectively to emerging threats towards the United Nations.

3. The goal of security training within the UNSMS is to enhance Security Risk Management

effectiveness and cooperation between security personnel, managers with security

responsibilities and all other personnel. Standardized training systems are an important tool

in reaching this goal. At the same time, training must be delivered in a timely, cost-effective

manner using the most appropriate means of delivery.

B. Purpose

4. This policy sets out the goals and parameters for UNSMS-wide security training. It

identifies roles and responsibilities in the development and delivery of training materials,

methodologies and learning programmes.

C. Applicability

5. The policy is applicable to all UNSMS organizations as well as all individuals defined in

Chapter III of the Security Policy Manual (“Applicability of Security Arrangements”).

D. Conceptual Framework

6. Specific objectives of security training are to develop and enhance the skills and knowledge

of United Nations personnel to:

a. Enhance the security preparedness of managers with security responsibilities within the

UNSMS.

1 Please refer to Security Policy Manual , Chapter IV, Section A (Security Risk Management) 2 Security Policy Manual, Chapter II, Section A(“Framework of Accountability ”, paragraph 29).

3 A/59/365 as of 11 October 2004, noted by A/RES/59/276 as of 17 January 2005.

UNSMS Security Policy Manual – Security Training and Certification

b. Enhance the competencies, skills, knowledge, values and behaviour of all security

personnel in the UNSMS.

c. Enhance security awareness for all United Nations personnel to assist them in acting in

a manner that will not endanger their safety and security and to improve their

understanding of their role in their own safety and security.

d. Enhance the security awareness training for eligible family members of United Nations

personnel, especially at duty stations where they may be affected by the threats

identified in the Security Risk Management process.

7. The strategy of security training within the UNSMS is to support effective United Nations

operations worldwide by providing cost-effective security training to three categories of

United Nations personnel: security managers,4 security personnel and all other United

Nations personnel.5

8. Security training within the UNSMS is either “core security training” or “specialized

security training”. Core security training ensures that United Nations personnel at all levels

are familiar with their security responsibilities, how to fulfil those responsibilities and the

range of support available to them. Specialized security training shall be designed to equip

United Nations personnel with the specific knowledge and expertise they need to discharge

their security responsibilities in a professional, consistent and accountable manner.

9. Recognizing that UNSMS organizations have their own professionally qualified trainers

and learning managers, the UNDSS shall establish, through the Inter-Agency Security

Management Network’s “Security Training Working Group”, a mechanism for

certification on security learning programmes, to allow the greatest outreach for these

learning products. Learning partnerships between UNDSS and UNSMS organizations

ensures the best use of resources and training materials.

E. Training for United Nations Personnel

10. There are two core, self-administered online security learning programmes for all United

Nations personnel: one basic programme and one advanced programme.

11. All United Nations personnel must successfully complete the basic security learning

programme.

12. United Nations personnel assigned to, or visiting on official travel, any field location6 must

successfully complete the advanced security learning programme.

4 For the purposes of this policy, “security manager” refers to the Designated Official and Representatives of UNSMS

organizations who are members of the Security Management Team in-country or are assigned as Area Security Coordinators or

members of respective Area Security Management Teams.

5 To include United Nations personnel who perform functions within a Warden System.

6 For the purpose of this policy, “field location” is any location not designated as an “H” (Headquarters) duty station under the

mobility and hardship scheme established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).

UNSMS Security Policy Manual – Security Training and Certification

13. The certificates for the basic and advanced security learning programmes are valid for three

years, after which the individual must re-certify.

14. It is the responsibility of all United Nations personnel to ensure that they have completed

these training courses as required and of their respective organizations to ensure that these

courses are made available.

15. In addition to the above, United Nations personnel must attend the required security

briefings conducted by security personnel at each duty station and successfully complete

other specialized security training where required at designated locations.

16. United Nations personnel who perform functions within a Warden System must

successfully complete security training for those functions.

F. Training for United Nations Security Personnel

17. The security training curriculum provides progressive and comprehensive training at basic,

intermediate and advanced stages and establishes an important career development channel

for security personnel.

18. All security personnel with functional security responsibilities are to receive core training,

specialist training or specific training relevant to their functional tasking, and this training

should meet standards of content and methodology that are agreed upon through the

Security Training Working Group. Additional career development courses are available on

the UNDSS and UNSMS organization Learning Management Systems.

19. Core security training and learning programmes are designed to equip security personnel

with the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes (behaviour) to fulfil their assigned

functions to an agreed standard of competency. They will also enhance interoperability

between UNSMS organizations and facilitate upwards mobility and career movement (i.e.,

“cross fertilization”) of security personnel between UNDSS and other UNSMS

organizations.

20. Specialized security training for security personnel shall depend on requirements to fulfil

specific functions, including, but not limited to, courses on: hostage incident management,

security analysis process and practice and close protection.

G. Training for United Nations Managers with Security Responsibilities

21. Security training is mandatory for security managers. Designated Officials are required to

complete a Designated Official induction security orientation course prior to their

assumption of duty at their respective country of assignment.

22. It is mandatory for Designated Officials, all members of Security Management Teams and

Area Security Coordinators to complete training specific to their security functions. At a

minimum, Designated Officials and Security Management Team members must complete

UNSMS Security Policy Manual – Security Training and Certification

the UNDSS online Security Management Team training module and maintain a record of

certification.7

H. Development of Training Materials and Delivery of Training Programmes

23. UNDSS is responsible for the following security training-related activities:

a. Continuous review of training materials to ensure that they reflect approved security

policies and procedures, best practices, lessons learned and requirements for

objectivity.

b. Through the Security Training Working Group, establish and oversee security-related

qualification and certification standards and practices for learning managers and

trainers across the UNSMS.

c. With the support of the United Nations Department for General Assembly and

Conference Management, develop security-related training materials in the official

languages of the United Nations, as appropriate.

d. Develop and maintain, in consultation with the Inter-Agency Security Management

Network, the official listing of mandatory security training requirements.

24. UNDSS may provide security training through the following modalities:

a. Distance learning initiatives.

b. The Department’s website and Learning Management System.

c. Mobile training teams.

d. A network of regional security training focal points, certified trainers and learning

managers from UNSMS organizations.

e. Outsourcing, where appropriate, to Member States, other UNSMS organizations or

commercial vendors.

I. Management of Security Training Programmes

25. To ensure the relevance and efficiency of security training throughout the UNSMS,

UNDSS will periodically assess training needs. All UNSMS organizations shall share

training materials with other organizations within the system, either bilaterally or through

the Security Training Working Group. This collaboration will help to ensure that training

materials and activities meet requirements and may provide a basis for prioritization, cost

efficiencies and the avoidance of duplication.

7 Face-to-face Security Management Team training may also be conducted by qualified learning managers on a case-by-case

basis.

UNSMS Security Policy Manual – Security Training and Certification

26. As part of its system-wide responsibility for security training, UNDSS shall establish and

maintain a database to record training-related information regarding the number of United

Nations personnel who have successfully completed security training.

27. UNDSS will catalogue its Learning Programmes, providing details of specific aims,

learning objectives, key learning points, suggested methodologies for delivery and detailed

lesson plans. Learning programmes will be available for use by qualified learning managers

and certified trainers in any UNSMS organization. UNDSS will also cooperate closely,

through the Security Training Working Group, with the Learning Development Centres of

other UNSMS organizations to develop learning best practices.

J. Roles and Responsibilities

28. In accordance with Security Policy Manual, Chapter II, Section A (“Framework of

Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System”), the following are

the responsibilities of various actors of the UNSMS in regards to security training:

a. Senior Security Managers and/or Security Focal Points at Headquarters of UNSMS

organizations shall ensure that all personnel of their organization, and their recognized

eligible family members, are aware of security training requirements and facilitate the

provision of security and safety training and briefings.

b. Representatives of organizations participating in the UNSMS shall attend all security

training as members of the Security Management Team.

c. Chief Security Advisers/Security Advisers shall establish a system for briefing all

personnel employed by the organizations of the UNSMS and their eligible family

members upon initial arrival and provide local security training as necessitated by the

security environment.

d. Chief of Security and Safety Services/Sections shall provide standardized induction

and specialist training for United Nations staff and security personnel.

e. Chief Security Officers for Peacekeeping Missions (where the Head of Mission is not

the Designated Official and where a UNDSS Chief Security Adviser is present) shall

provide security training to mission personnel.

f. Local Security Assistants shall assist in conducting security training for United Nation

personnel, locally-recruited guards and others (including security guards from

contracted companies) as appropriate.

g. Personnel employed by the organizations of the UNSMS shall attend and complete

security training relevant to their level and role and complete the required security

training as outlined in paragraphs 10–16 above.

29. In accordance with Security Policy Manual, Chapter VII, Section C, Road Safety, UNSMS

organizations in-country are responsible for road safety information and awareness

UNSMS Security Policy Manual – Security Training and Certification

campaigns for their personnel and for providing, in consultation and coordination with

UNDSS, safe-driving training for drivers.

K. Final Provisions

30. This policy is to be made available to all United Nations personnel.

31. This policy enters into effect on 08 November 2012.

32. Field Security Handbook, Chapter II, paragraphs 2.5 (e), (f) and (j) are hereby abolished