SSAFE Instructor

Role Purpose

The purpose of this retainer contract is to ensure rapid access to qualified SSAFE/IFAK instructional capacity to support UNOPS operational requirements, including staff deployments, project start-ups, emergency responses, and refresher training needs. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the safety and security of UNOPS personnel operating in challenging environments, offering exposure to global security training standards, collaboration with UNDSS and other UN agencies, and professional development opportunities in security training and risk management.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the technical oversight of the UNOPS SSAFE Course Director and the administrative supervision of UNOPS (Security Unit), the SSAFE Instructor will undertake the following tasks on an as-needed basis:

Training Delivery:

• Deliver SSAFE/IFAK courses in accordance with UNDSS Training and Development Section (TDS) approved curricula as co-facilitator.
• Facilitate adult-learning, scenario-based training, including tabletop and practical exercises.
• Adjust scenarios to reflect changing threat environments and cohort requirements without altering approved core curriculum content.
• Deliver training in the Copenhagen, Denmark, region. A minimum of four combined SSAFE/IFAK courses and two standalone IFAK courses shall be held per year.

Training Management & Compliance:

• Ensure strict adherence to UNSMS training standards, UNOPS policies, and safeguarding requirements.
• Coordinate with UNOPS SSAFE Course Director and UNDSS TDS counterparts on:
• Participant eligibility and prerequisites
• Training schedules and logistics
• Medical and safety considerations during training
• Maintain accurate training records, attendance lists, and certification documentation.

Assessment & Reporting:

• Conduct participant assessments in line with SSAFE requirements.
• Submit post-training reports to UNOPS, including:
• Number and category of participants trained
• Key observations and risk-awareness gaps
• Recommendations for refresher or follow-up training
• Immediately flag any serious security or welfare concerns identified during training.

Surge & Advisory Support:

• Provide short-notice deployment support for emergency or surge training needs.
• Contribute advisory inputs to UNOPS security preparedness activities where directly linked to SSAFE/IFAK training outcomes.

Education Requirements

• Advanced level university degree (Master's or equivalent) in security studies, emergency management, international relations, military, law enforcement, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's Degree or equivalent) in a relevant field will be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree, provided there are an additional two years of qualifying experience, for a total of seven years of experience required.

Experience Requirements

Experience:

• Minimum five years of relevant professional experience with a Master’s degree in security, humanitarian, military, law enforcement, or emergency response fields.
• At least five years of experience within the UNSMS is required.
• Proven experience in delivering trainings to multicultural audiences.
• Prior field experience in medium to high-risk duty stations is highly desirable.

Mandatory Certification:

• Valid UNDSS-certified SSAFE Instructor accreditation is required.
• Valid First Aid / Trauma Care certification (e.g. IFAK, TCCC-aligned civilian equivalent) is required.

Key skills/competency

• Security Training
• Adult Learning Facilitation
• Scenario-Based Training
• Risk Management
• UNDSS Standards
• IFAK/Trauma Care
• UNSMS Compliance
• Emergency Response
• Multicultural Communication
• Instructional Design