Junior National Programme Officer (Drug and Health)

Background

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. It provides specialized assistance to Governments for addressing the legal and rule of law aspects of drugs and health, criminal justice, anti-corruption, and counterterrorism. It operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices. UNODC operates in the Philippines as the established Programme Office of the Regional Programme for Southeast Asia and Pacific supporting the implementation of the comprehensive Strategic workplan in line with the UNODC Strategy 2021-20251 and supporting the implementation of the approved Regional Programme for Southeast Asia and Pacific 20222-2026 2

The UNODC seeks to recruit a Junior National Programme Officer (JNPO) who will support the implementation of technical assistance activities in the Philippines in the programmatic areas of Health and Drugs.

Under the overall supervision of the Country Manager in the Philippines, with the National Programme Officer as First Reporting Officer, the JNPO will provide specialized substantive, technical and programming expertise for the design, implementation, and monitoring of technical assistance activities under the Health and Drugs Thematic.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Support the Health and Drugs team in the Philippines in the formulation, implementation, reporting, and assessment of technical assistance activities on the Health and Drugs portfolio, and other global and regional initiatives as required, focusing on:

• Contribute to the analysis and formulation of technical assistance activities on the HIV AIDS work of the UNODC in the Philippines.
• Assist in the assessment, development and technical execution of the programme related to the alternatives to incarceration for persons who are using drugs in contact with the criminal justice system.
• Timely implementation of technical assistance activities on the broad health and drugs portfolio
• Supports the assessment and identification of country needs for achieving effective and evidence- based approaches to drugs and health-related issues.
• Inputs to technical publications or segments thereof (such as policies, implementation manuals, project documents and training tools) for facilitating technical support to the Philippine Government and relevant counterparts.
• Advocates for the mainstreaming of gender, disability, and human rights aspects in technical activities and correlated materials; expert analysis on these aspects as they crosscut with the evidence-based policies and practices, programmes and activities.
• Efficient substantive, organizational and logistical planning, preparation and conduct of activities.
• Conducts on-site performance of organizational, logistical, and administrative tasks.

2. Liaise and coordinate with the Philippines national authorities and relevant providers in human rights, drugs and health, and criminal justice-related matters, focusing on:

• Supports the coordination with national authorities, civil society, private sector, political representatives on relevant thematic issues for the development of tailor-made technical assistance activities; facilitate requisite endorsement for smooth implementation of activities.
• Contributes to the identification of national, regional, and international experts and other resource persons, as well as adequate target audience, for the delivery of the programme’s technical assistance activities.
• Is up to date with relevant developments related to the evidence-based approaches to issues on drugs and provides regular updates to the Health and Drugs team and the senior management as required.
• Coordinate with the relevant government and civil society counterparts for the implementation, monitoring and reporting on the initiatives under the Health and Drugs portfolio

3. Represent UNODC in relevant events and initiatives and delivery of specialized UNODC contributions within the Health and Drugs, focusing on:

• Relevant health and drugs consultation meetings, workshops and fora organized by other implementing partners in the country, including those organized by other UN agencies.
• Support preparation and delivery of technical papers and presentations.
• Contribute to planning and coordination of joint activities.
• Support the identification, promotion, and follow-up of UNODC programme opportunities and visibility.

4. Contribute to the coordination and administrative tasks and contributions for the management of the Health and Drugs projects and overall UNODC engagement in the Philippines as required, focusing on:

• Efficient management and implementation of coordination, liaison, and administrative tasks.
• Expert contributions to monitoring and evaluation of technical assistance activities throughout project life cycle; drafting of project reports as required.
• Familiarity with and strict adherence to UN administrative rules and regulations in connection with the organization and implementation of technical assistance activities.

5. Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Core

Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them.

Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others.

Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions.

Technical/Functional

Partnerships

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Project Management

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Capacity Development

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in social sciences and/or another related field of study in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience.
• First level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in social sciences and/or another related field of study in combination with four (4) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of professional experience in implementing technical assistance projects and provision of advisory services on health and drugs, with a focus on health service delivery, health system strengthening, working with key populations and CSOs.
• Knowledge of and professional experience in supporting the implementation of the three international drug control conventions of 1961, 1971 and 1988, the UNGASS on the World Drug Problem, and relevant UN Human Rights Council frameworks, declarations and plans of action is required.
• Experience in human rights, Gender, HIV, and other health-related co- morbidities, Key populations, PWID, PWUD and related aspects of drug- related issues and criminal justice responses is desirable.
• Extensive knowledge of the political and related dynamics of the Philippines, including the role and functioning of relevant, national, sub-regional and regional entities is desirable.
• Work experience in the planning, organization, and delivery of technical assistance activities on relevant issues with counterparts in the ASEAN region is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in implementing and monitoring activities and measuring achievements with multiple international partners and government counterparts is desirable.
• Work experience at the international level is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English and Filipino is required.
• Knowledge of other Philippine languages dialects is an asset.

Other:

• Experience in using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required.
• Knowledge of using online communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams is required.
• Experience in handling web-based management systems.

Disclaimer

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
 

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 
 

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