Associate Project Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Office in Argentina (POARG) with duty station in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Regional Office for the Andean Region and the Southern Cone (ROCOL) Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative and the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Officer in ROCOL.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Associate Project Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned project activities relating to countering synthetic drug problem and related serious criminal activities; participate in monitoring and analyzing project development and implementation; review relevant related documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; ensure follow-up actions. • Carry out general and administrative arrangements for the assigned countering synthetic drug problem and related serious criminal activities /projects, including preparation of funding requests and briefs, project progress and implementation delivery rate reports, as well as liaise with donor authorities, United Nations agencies and other international and regional organizations. • Coordinate activities related to budget funding (project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Ensure regular communication with all project donors and ensure that reporting obligations and other obligations towards the donors are fulfilled in a timely manner. • Coordinate and liaise with inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions which are active in the provision of training and education on related issues, as well as with associated UNODC and broader UN Programs. • Assist in performing consulting assignments for programming on countering synthetic drug problem and related serious criminal activities through comprehensive responses. • Contribute to initiating and coordinating outreach activities; coordinate and conduct trainings, workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Participate in designing curricula and courses on countering synthetic drug problem and related serious criminal activities through comprehensive responses. • Participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Guide trainers, experts, computer specialists, consultants, and other resource persons in their preparations for, and participation in project activities. • Guide and supervise the work of local personnel. • Provide support as a resource person and/or moderator in workshops, seminars, training courses and meetings. • Assist in coordinating policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. 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. • Assist with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assist with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Perform other work-related duties, as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the development, implementation and evaluation of synthetic drugs projects including countering synthetic drug problems and related serious criminal activities through comprehensive responses. Is able to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has very good research and analytical skills. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet, and other databases. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has good analytical, planning, and organizational skills. 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; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. • Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. • Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations, sociology, 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience at the national or international level in coordinating programmes/projects is required. Demonstrated experience in leading small/medium size teams is required. Experience in designing inputs/answers to organized crime including illicit drug trafficking is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations system, or a similar international organization is desirable. Experience in working in a fast-paced environment 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 Spanish, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.