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United Nations Office for Project Services

Basic Security in the Field FAQ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Background

What is the "Basic Security in the Field" CDRom Course?

·         The Basic Security in the Field training is a computor-based, interactive and certified programme designed to meet basic overall security awareness and simple strategies to improve the safety and well being for all UN personnel

·         The Basic Security in the Field Course is a mandatory requirement for all UNOPS personnel.

·         The Basic Security in the Field Course is a prerequisite for all personnel undertaking mission travel where an offical Security Clearance is required.

Applicability

Who has to take the course?

·         All personnel of UNOPS in HQ, regional and field must complete the course,. This includes 100, 200, 300 Series Staff, SSA and SC holders, interns, and any other individuals who have UNOPS contracts.

·         UNOPS personnel cannot travel on mission to a country with a designated security phase without passing the course and subsequently requesting offical security clearance.

·         All newly recruited personnel must complete the course as a condition of employment with 7 working days of recruitement 

·         Individuals who do not have subscribed UNOPS contracts, but who travel under a UNOPS travel authorization (TA) must successfully complete the course

·         Give a copy of your certificate to your HR Associate or HR/Admin Associate who will place it in your personnel file.

What about local staff and the security learning course - Basic Security in the Field

·         The course is mandatory for all UN personnel, professional, local, consultants etc.,The course is now available in all six official UN languages.

·         In those cases where personnel are linguistically and computer challenged, you may wish to consider employing a group learning  approach for this essential activity for example, under the overall responsibility of the FSCO or security focal point, senior local staff could go through the modules and translate text, narrative, exercises etc,. for the group. The participants however, should undertake review point questions and the final test as individuals (even though they may require some help translating the questions). For this part of the course, the senior local staff could either write or read out the questions. The participant answers and the facilitator clicks the appropriate test answer. It is also important that each participant logs on as an individual as her/his name will be printed on the certificate which they receive when they successfully complete the course.

System Requirements

What do I need to start the course?

·          For access through the UNOPS intranet, a internet connection and a UNOPS intranet password.

·         Computer with MS Windows (95,98,2000, and NT4)

·          As progress information is saved on to the computer¡¯s hard disk, users are advised to use the same computer to complete the course.

·          Sound card and speakers recommended

·          Most of the audio recordings are readings of the text displayed, but not all (e.g. dramatic re-enactments).

·         Most users will be able to complete the course without audio recordings.

Starting the Course

How do I start the course

·         On most computers, once you insert the CD-ROM, the course should start automatically.

·         If the course does not start automatically, go to the CD-ROM¡¯s main folder and double-click on file: ¡°autorun.exe¡±.

·         If you do not have access to the UNOPS intranet, go to: http://www.unops.org/security/

·         Ensure that Macromedia Flash downloads on to your computer (you should be prompted automatically for this).

Possible problems with the software

If problems are encountered with the software please check:

  • There might be an issue if you do not follow the instructions concerning the Shockwave plug-in.  This will result in the following error message: ¡®The site might require the following Active X control: Shockwave 10 Player from Macromedia¡¯
  • The Internet Explorer browser security setting should have ¡®Enable¡¯ under Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins.  You change the browser settings under: Tools / Internet Options / Security / Custom Level.
  • Any Pop-Up blocker you might be running should be disabled.

Password

What do I do when I am asked for a password?

·         When prompted for your password for the first time, type in a password of your choice which you will use in the future

·         The course will create a new user account if name and password not previously used.

·         The course will recognise existing user as long as the name and password were used previously on the same computer.

·         One computer can be used for multiple users.

·         Should you exit the course (possible after each review point) you may re-enter and continue the course where you left off by inserting your username and password.

·         Please type your full name as the username, as this name will appear in the final certificate.

Language/Duration

In what language is the course?

·         The course is now available in all six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish

How long is the course?

·         It takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete the entire course and test.

 

Contents and Structure

What is in the course?

·         The course contains 6 modules and 3 review points.

·         Each review point must be passed before proceeding to the next module.

·         Progress in the course will only save up to the last review point passed.

·         Structure

 

Module 1: Introduction

Module 2: UN Security System

Review Point 1

Module 3: On the Move

Module 4: Where you Live and Work

Review Point 2

Module 5: Your Health and Welfare

Module 6: Your Personal Safety

Review Point 3

Final Test

 

Review Point

What is the Review Point?

·         The review point tests the user¡¯s knowledge learnt in the two previous modules.

·         The review point is in a game-format where users have to move 9 steps (correct answer moves a user forward and an incorrect answer moves a user backwards).

·         The review point is not a test and can be taken as many times as necessary.  

 

Obtaining the Certificate

How do I get a certificate?

·         A certificate is obtained by passing the final test.

·         The final test is accessible only after the user has completed all modules and review points.

How many questions are in the final test and what is the passing mark?

·         There are 30 questions in the final test. The pass mark is 80% and the test can be taken as many times as necessary.

How is the certificate produced?

·         The course automatically generates a certificate once a user passes the final test.

What should I do once my certificate is produced?

·         Immediately print your certificate. Remember that you should not leave the programme without printing the certificate; otherwise you will need to redo the test. If you don¡¯t have a printer near you, either print it into a PDF document or print the screen shot (by pressing ALT + Print Screen) and paste and then save it on a WORD document.

·         Give a copy of your certificate to your HR Associate or HR/Admin Associate who will place it in your personnel file.

·         Keep a printed copy for your own records.

Travel Requirements

  • Please note that all travel (regardless of destination) can only be undertaken if the course has been fully completed and a certificate is produced. Mission Travel to countries that have a designated security phase requires a security clearance which will only be granted once the course has been succesfully completed. Click here for more information Mission Travel procedures.