Drug Control and Crime Prevention Officer (Regional Coordinator, Synthetic Drugs Strategy)

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Cairo, Egypt. This position will support the Synthetic Drug Strategy managed by the Portfolio Management and Outreach (PMO) team of the Laboratory and Scientific Services (LSS), Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch (DLSSB) Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA). The work will be carried out in close coordination with the Synthetic Drug Strategy team in Vienna. The incumbent will work under the technical guidance of the Programme Management Officer (Synthetic Drugs) and the supervision of the Representative of the ROMENA. For more information on UNODC, please visit: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will support regional coordination, promotion and implementation of the activities of the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy (SDS) and LSS Global Forensic Science and Services Programme, responsible for the following specific duties:

• Develop workplans for the timely achievement of programme outcomes and outputs.
• Guide and orient the work and contributions of consultants, programme personnel, donors, institutions and counterparts in the region towards the accomplishment of the Synthetic Drug Strategy objectives.
• Prepare jointly with UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy team as appropriate, all necessary programme progress reports and implementation delivery rate reports.
• Coordinate the preparation of information materials (brochures, web-stories, posters, etc.) in support of the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy; disseminate materials to governments, donors, NGOs, and the general public, as appropriate.
• Engage with SDS implementing countries in the region to promote and implement the guidance presented in the Synthetic Drug Strategy and maximize the utility of the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs.
• Work with countries in the respective region to develop, articulate and implement national synthetic drug strategies that are modelled after the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy, encouraging comprehensive approach involving whole of government coordination and maximize the utility and knowledge of the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs.
• Coordinate and represent UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy field level activity on synthetic drugs within UNODC and across various partner UN agencies and regional bodies as the African Union (AU), Organization of American States/Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (OAS/CICAD), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), etc, ensuring coordination at the regional level.
• Act as field level focal points for the Synthetic Drug Strategy responsible for regular briefings to donor community and enhance direct reporting on impact.
• Work hand in hand with policymakers to ensure adoption of national legislation that is supportive of effective comprehensive responses to the synthetic drug problem.
• Work with assigned countries in the respective region to identify tailored and measurable national action plans on synthetic drugs, guided by the framework of the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy.
• Produce semi – annual situation analysis and implementation reports on related UNODC and other implicated agencies’ related activities in the region.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources. Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• As required, guide and coordinate the work of other professional and support staff members, mentor and guide consultants, interns and Associate Experts in their work.
• Support and participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinate activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Perform other work – related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence, knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to international drug control and, in particular to synthetic drugs and related emerging trends. Has good understanding of United Nations programme policies, guidelines and procedures and knowledge of relevant programmes and mandates of UNODC. Has strong analytical skills with the ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Has strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, including proven ability to communicate effectively with government officials. Is able to conduct data collection using various methods. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Is able to draft reports and papers clearly and concisely. Has good understanding/conceptual knowledge of information systems and electronic communication platforms. Is able to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Is able to work in a multi-cultural environment. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, social sciences, criminology, management or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in drug control and crime prevention is required. Work experience in project management and partnership building is required. Work experience in an international or regional organization is desirable. Work experience in development, implementation and reporting on national action plans related to drug control is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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