Join UNICC’s Cybersecurity Leadership Team!

Are you a seasoned cybersecurity professional passionate about safeguarding global systems and mentoring teams? UNICC is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Operations Officer to be the driving force behind our Cybersecurity Operations Section. In this exciting role, you will take on a key leadership position in a diverse, mission-driven organization, effectively serving as the deputy to the Chief of Cybersecurity Operations. You’ll lead a team of experts to protect the critical digital services that enable United Nations agencies around the world to fulfill their mandates.

At UNICC, we combine the innovative spirit of the tech industry with the fulfilling purpose of the UN’s mission. We offer exceptional flexibility with our fully hybrid working model, which includes the option to work remotely from anywhere outside your duty station (for example, spending up to 90 days each year working from another country regardless of your official duty station). This flexibility, coupled with an environment that genuinely values work-life balance, helps our employees thrive. Additionally, as part of the UN system, you’ll benefit from outstanding professional advantages, while enjoying a workplace culture rooted in diversity, collaboration, and continuous growth. UNICC is deeply committed to reaching gender parity by 2028, supported by robust initiatives to advance and empower women in IT. We warmly encourage women candidates to apply.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will lead and coordinate all aspects of UNICC’s cybersecurity operations. Your day-to-day duties will include:

• Lead Cybersecurity initiatives: Oversee the Security Operations Centre (SOC) and drive key projects to improve threat monitoring, detection, and response. You will spearhead efforts to enhance tools, processes, and team capabilities that strengthen UNICC’s cyber defenses.
• Mentor and develop the team: Supervise and coach a talented international team of cybersecurity analysts and incident responders. Foster an inclusive, empowering team culture focused on continuous learning, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth.
• Incident response & coordination: Act as a senior incident responder by coordinating the response to security incidents and threats. Ensure timely investigation, containment, and resolution of incidents. Communicate incident status and lessons learned to both technical staff and executive stakeholders.
• Security operations management: Manage daily SOC activities to ensure 24/7 operational effectiveness. Refine and enforce SOPs (standard operating procedures) and incident response playbooks, optimizing workflows to improve efficiency and reduce false positives.
• Strategic security improvements: Collaborate with the Chief of Cybersecurity Operations and other teams (such as Infrastructure, Applications, and Governance) to identify security gaps and implement solutions. Champion the adoption of new security technologies and best practices to continuously improve UNICC’s security posture.
• Reporting and awareness: Prepare clear, insightful reports on security trends, incident metrics, and risk indicators for both UNICC leadership and client organizations. Present cybersecurity updates in executive meetings and contribute to raising security awareness across the organization through workshops or communications.

Recruitment Profile

Required Qualifications:

Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered:

• Experience: At least 7 years of progressive experience in cybersecurity operations. This should include substantial hands-on involvement in managing security incidents and operations.
• SOC Expertise: Direct experience in a Security Operations Center (SOC) or in a dedicated Security Incident Response/Coordinator role. You have a proven track record handling cybersecurity incidents and managing real-time security monitoring and response.
• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of cybersecurity technologies and practices, including experience with SIEM tools, network security, endpoint protection (EDR), vulnerability management, identity and access management, and cloud security. You stay up-to-date on emerging cyber threats and defensive techniques.
• Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated leadership abilities – for example, experience leading a team or project in a cybersecurity context. Excellent communicator who can convey complex security information clearly and tailor your message to the audience. (Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other UN languages is a plus.)
• Education: Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or a related field. (A first-level university degree combined with an additional four years of relevant experience can substitute for the advanced degree.)

Desired but not essential:

• Certification: A recognized cybersecurity certification (or more) such as CISSP, CISM, CISA, GIAC, etc., is highly desirable and will be considered an asset.

Other Information

What Makes This Position Attractive:

• Make a global impact: This role offers the chance to do cybersecurity with purpose. Your work will directly contribute to the safety and resilience of organizations that tackle global challenges—supporting everything from humanitarian relief to public health and education initiatives.
• Leadership & growth: You will step into a deputy leadership role from day one. This position will allow you to sharpen your leadership skills, influence cybersecurity strategy, and pave the way for career advancement (potentially toward a Chief of Cybersecurity role or other senior positions within UNICC or the UN system).
• Flexibility & work-life balance: We understand that quality work is sustained by a healthy work-life balance. Enjoy a hybrid work environment with the flexibility to work remotely (up to 90 days per year from outside the duty station) and arrange your schedule to fit your life. We trust our team and focus on results, so you’ll have the autonomy to achieve your goals in the way that works best for you.
• Outstanding benefits: Joining UNICC means access to the exceptional benefits of UN employment. This includes a competitive salary (often tax-free), a solid pension plan, world-class health insurance, generous annual leave, plus paid parental leave and other special allowances. If relocating internationally, you may receive relocation support and education grants for dependent children as applicable.
• Inclusive culture & team: You will be part of a truly diverse team that brings together people from all over the world. UNICC prides itself on its inclusive and respectful work environment. We are actively increasing the representation of women in our workforce and leadership. Through mentorship programs, training workshops, and networking opportunities (such as our Women in IT initiatives), we ensure everyone has the support needed to thrive. You’ll find an environment where your ideas are welcomed and your contributions valued, regardless of your background or gender.

How to Apply:

If you’re excited by the opportunity to innovate in cybersecurity and lead a team making a global impact, we want to hear from you! Please submit your application through the UNICC careers website by 10/05/2025. Ensure that your PHF and motivation statement highlight your relevant experience, motivation, and how you meet the requirements outlined above.

Important: Don’t think you meet everything? At UNICC, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team and recognize that talent comes in many forms. If you feel passionate about this role and believe you have the skills to succeed, we encourage you to apply – you may be the perfect candidate through your unique experience and potential.

UNICC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. We look forward to welcoming you to our cybersecurity team!

Please note: This is a re-advertisement of a previously published vacancy. Candidates who have already applied need not reapply, as their applications will remain under consideration.

How to Apply:

Apply Here: https://www.unicc.org/working-with-icc/senior-cybersecurity-operations-officer-2/