Strengthening safety and security skills through standardized training
Considerable progress has been made since the publication in 2008 of the report of the Independent Panel on Security Awareness and Standardization of Practices, a document in which it was recognized that a clearer definition of responsibilities, Accountability and leadership functions, as well as enhanced collaboration and mechanisms for sharing information between different United Nations entities, are necessary to ensure the security of operations. To complement the basic standards established in the policies of the United Nations security management system, minimum qualitative and quantitative requirements for premises and equipment, as well as minimum requirements, should be developed and implemented. standard procedures and a training program in the methods of operating and maintaining this equipment, in order to optimize the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property.
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| security standards assessment |
All organizations participating in the United Nations security management system have the same basic security needs when operating in a given location, as all are exposed to the same threats locally. However, the mandates that organizations must fulfill, and consequently the activities they must undertake, are often different. This means that a common level of basic security, while necessary for everyone, is not sufficient to meet all the security needs of all organizations. In the inspectors' opinion, this reality should, among other things, guide the strategy for developing training programs in the field of security. In fact, the obligation to follow common rules applicable to system-wide training has been imposed at all levels in order to standardize basic training for all staff. In addition, the Department of Safety and Security offers specific training to security specialists from different organizations with a view to standardizing their qualifications, as described below. In addition, specialized training is provided by some agencies to officials with additional needs (eg UNHCR, UNICEF, etc.). On the other hand, some organizations, funds and programs have developed their own safety training activities according to their specific requirements31.
Security training is perhaps one of the prime examples of standardization activities undertaken at all levels of the United Nations security management system. This training is either "basic" or "specialized": basic security training is intended to ensure that United Nations personnel at all levels are fully aware of their responsibilities in this area. security, as well as the various types of assistance available to them; The purpose of specialized security training is to equip UN security personnel with the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to fulfill their security responsibilities.
Basic security training for staff consists of the modules entitled “Fundamentals of Field Security” and “Advanced Field Security Course”, which form the basis of the security courses that the all officials of the United Nations security management system are required to monitor. Both courses are offered as distance learning programs and as CD-ROMs to officials posted to duty stations without Internet access. According to the UN Secretariat, more than 180,000 certificates have been issued for the “Fundamentals of Field Security” module, and 90,000 for the one entitled “Advanced Field Security Course” since the inception of these programs. . The Fundamentals of Field Security course is compulsory for United Nations staff, regardless of level or function. The “Advanced Field Safety Course” is compulsory for officials assigned to posts away from Headquarters or about to travel to a duty station away from Headquarters (i.e. places which are not not classified in the category of headquarters cities). Certificates are valid for three years, after which holders must have them renewed. According to the responses to the questionnaire received by the Joint Inspection Unit, the proportion of civil servants who have completed compulsory security training courses varies from one organization to another, with the minimum rate being 74%, reaching 100%. according to statistics provided by some organizations. When asked to indicate their participation rates, some organizations provided vague responses such as "extremely high" or "moderate".
It should be noted that the possibility of taking the “Fundamentals of Field Security” and “Advanced Field Security Course” courses by connecting directly to the Department of Safety and Security website is sometimes available. a source of confusion for the staff of some funds and programs who allow them to be monitored through their own internal learning management system. This problem also has the effect of creating distortions in the statistics on training established within the entities concerned.
The Department of Safety and Security should strive to make its website more user-friendly in order to encourage officials from all agencies to take relevant training courses from this site, in order to avoid duplication of effort. with programs offered by other organizations.
In addition, the Department of Safety and Security has collaborated since 2007 with the United Nations System Staff College in the dissemination of the training module on security and safety in the field. Developed in 2007, this course represents an important step forward in the case of high risk duty stations, where it is mandatory. Its content is adapted to the security situation of each duty station. A total of 44 Mission Safety and Security Train-the-Trainers courses were offered to deliver the program in a decentralized manner, resulting in approximately 996 trainers being certified until September 2016. The program was attended by more than 52,662 United Nations and associated staff (for example, employees of non-governmental organizations) through 1,893 courses offered at 61 duty stations.
Specialized training for security officers is an integral part of the platform created by the Department of Safety and Security for specialists in this field. The security certification program attests that specialists in the United Nations security management system have the skills required by a security coordinator in the field32. In addition, the Department of Safety and Security offers 24 courses on topics ranging from the management of hostage-taking situations to the training of close protection officers, safety awareness training for female personnel. , the training of designated officials and the use of medical intervention kits
emergency / instructions to be given to first responders, among others. As reported by the Secretariat, the training activities carried out by the Department in 2014 were varied and intense. A total of 239 courses were offered to 3,935 participants who took them in person, and 345,676 who took them online. All of the Department's training courses can be taken at Headquarters or in the field, depending on the results of an assessment of local security needs and conditions33. Agencies, funds and programs support the Department in the delivery of these system-wide accessible programs, and those that organize independent specialist training activities enable the participation of individuals within the safety management system. United Nations.
If maintained, the current security strategy adopted will harmonize the basic training provided over the medium term across the United Nations system to both civil servants and security professionals.
However, it is essential that this strategy is fully implemented on the ground, which will take some time. In several interviews, many respondents expressed the frustration they felt when, after asking for security services to be provided to them, they had to deal with all kinds of agents with different backgrounds, qualifications and skills. , of which the ability to speak and understand local languages was of crucial importance. The United Nations and its agencies, funds and programs employ a number of staff who are tasked with performing security-related functions; some organizations provide their own security guards and, according to the information provided, they ensure that they are suitably qualified and have access to their own training systems. This can be a source of confusion regarding the management and delivery of security services.
We can noted that despite the efforts mentioned in the previous paragraphs, the training received by security specialists currently in field posts in the United Nations system is inconsistent. The Department of Safety and Security has a very important role to play in this regard, as it defines, updates and monitors, in consultation with other relevant actors, the standards for security training. applicable to the various levels of responsibilities and functions carried out by officials belonging to different categories and performing different roles, including security specialists. However, most of the managers and subordinates interviewed praised the training provided by the Department and strongly insisted that additional security training be provided at different levels.
We can consider the approach adopted to training appropriate as it allows for the consideration of common needs by providing uniform, or basic training, and encourages organizations to share their own training activities and resources with other organizations. 'other entities. In this regard, they welcome the training initiative undertaken jointly in collaboration with various other stakeholders, in which specialists from various organizations participating in the United Nations security management system, trained and certified by the United Nations Security Management System. Department, unite their efforts with those of the training section of this body for the execution of basic or specialized programs. The training provided under a joint venture facilitates the harmonization of policies, procedures and practices within the United Nations security management system by enabling the sharing of knowledge and information among agencies, funds and the programs.
We can encourage the Department of Safety and Security to expand the range of security training materials in consultation with the Security Management Network, and to continue to play a leading role in the launch security training activities throughout the system. The Network Security Training Working Group examines the training needs of the UN Security Management System and is another example of
collaboration between organizations in the field of training activities.
The Security Management Network should strive to reach agreement on a common periodic reporting mechanism;
that would function to reflect the level of effectiveness and completion of training activities related to security within organizations participating in the United Nations security management system; this would identify weaknesses and highlight strengths that can be leveraged, thereby facilitating the allocation of resources. The reports thus prepared should include indicators applicable to the training (basic or specialized) of officials, security guards, managers at different levels, including senior officials, and other categories of staff, as appropriate. appropriate.