United Nations Department of Safety and Security

United Nations Department of Safety and Security
Johannes Jansson · CC BY 2.5 dk · source
Name	United Nations Department of Safety and Security
Formation	2010
Predecessor	Office of Internal Oversight Services; Department of Peacekeeping Operations; Department of Field Support
Type	Secretariat department
Headquarters	United Nations Headquarters, New York City
Region served	Global
Leader title	Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security
Leader name	(various)
Parent organization	United Nations Secretariat

United Nations Department of Safety and Security The United Nations Department of Safety and Security (DSS) is the Secretariat entity responsible for asset protection, staff security, and risk management across UN field operations. It operates alongside entities such as United Nations Secretariat, United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to enable missions in complex environments like Mogadishu, Kabul, Juba, Monrovia, and Bangui.

History

DSS traces institutional roots through reform initiatives involving Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Kofi Annan, Ban Ki-moon, and António Guterres after events that impacted United Nations Peacekeeping and United Nations humanitarian operations. Precursors include security functions within Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Department of Field Support, and the United Nations Security Management System. Key moments involved responses to attacks in Baghdad, Algiers, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, and shifts prompted by analyses from International Criminal Court-related missions, Independent Panel on Safety and Security Review, and reviews led by figures connected to World Bank and International Monetary Fund advisory groups.

Mandate and Responsibilities

The department's mandate encompasses protective security, threat assessment, crisis management, and continuity of operations for UN entities including UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme, World Food Programme, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. DSS provides security guidance that interfaces with legal frameworks such as obligations involving Host country agreements, Status of Forces Agreements, and resolutions of the United Nations Security Council including counterterrorism dimensions addressed by United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism.

Organizational Structure

DSS is led by an Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security and organized into regional offices that coordinate with UN Mission in South Sudan, United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali, United Nations Mission in Liberia, and United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. Its structure integrates specialists from Department of Operational Support, Office of Internal Oversight Services, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Nairobi, and liaison functions with Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. Administrative oversight interacts with International Civil Service Commission standards and procurement conducted with actors like United Nations Procurement Division.

Operations and Programs

Operational activities include security risk assessments in contexts such as Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Libya, Yemen, and coordination with peace operations like United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, United Nations Mission in Kosovo, and United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire. Programs address evacuation planning alongside United Nations Humanitarian Air Service, medical readiness with World Health Organization, and facility protection in partnership with United Nations Office for Project Services and United Nations Department of Management Strategy. Field security officers and close protection units work with liaison offices linked to African Union, European Union, NATO, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and regional bodies such as Economic Community of West African States.

Training, Standards, and Policy Development

DSS develops policy and training curricula for staff and security personnel, drawing on standards from International Organization for Standardization, lessons from incidents involving Convoy protection, Hostage situations, and integrating instruction from centers like United Nations Institute for Training and Research and Pearl Protection School-style providers. It issues guidance used by UN Volunteers, Humanitarian Country Teams, and Resident Coordinators and coordinates with Security Council committees and experts from Interpol, Europol, United States Department of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (United Kingdom), and national counterparts.

Incidents, Criticism, and Reforms

DSS's record includes responses to high-profile attacks and critiques from bodies such as United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services and parliamentary committees in countries like United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Brazil. Incidents in locations such as Port-au-Prince, Gaza Strip, Mazar-i-Sharif, Kunduz, and Bamako prompted reforms influenced by recommendations from panels involving experts from Harvard University, Columbia University, Oxford University, and Johns Hopkins University. Reforms have addressed transparency issues raised by NGOs such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and policy critiques published in journals including The Lancet, Foreign Affairs, and International Security.

Partnerships and International Cooperation

DSS collaborates with multilateral and bilateral partners, including United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Children's Fund, International Committee of the Red Cross, World Bank Group, European Commission, African Union Commission, Organization of American States, Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Interpol, and national ministries of interior and defense from states such as United States Department of Defense, Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), French Ministry of the Armed Forces, German Federal Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Defence (India). It engages with academic institutions and private sector firms to enhance capabilities and with donor mechanisms like Central Emergency Response Fund and United Nations Peacebuilding Fund to support security-related projects.

Category:United Nations Secretariat agencies