Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East (RSAME), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna. The Programme Officer (Drug Control and Crime Prevention) will report to the Chief of RSAME. S/he will work in close consultation with UNODC field offices in Middle East and North Africa, including the Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region (OGCCR). S/he will also closely liaise with the Programme Offices in Middle East and North Africa. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org
Responsibilities
Within assigned authority, the Programme Officer (Drug Control and Crime Prevention) will be responsible for the following specific duties: – Support and manage the strategic direction for UNODC in the Middle East and North Africa Region including the identification of approaches and modalities to operationalize UNODC’s objectives set out under the Regional Framework for the Arab States (2023-2028) and the Strategic Partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries taking into consideration linkages to the Strategic Vision for Africa (SVA 2030). – Support the conceptualization, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the UNODC integrated programmes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. – Participate in strategic planning, development, management and implementation of the UNODC work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. – Lead and/or participate in programming, support, needs assessment and other technical missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties. – Promote and facilitate coordination in the context of the UNODC Strategic Partnership with the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) by ensuring proper consultation internally and externally with Government counterparts; providing guidance on integrated programming; implementation and monitoring of UNODC’s interventions under its pillars with emphasis on South-South collaboration among countries in the MENA region as well as with African countries. – Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of the programmes and projects under the Regional Framework for the Arab State as well as the Strategic Partnership with the GCC countries; monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; ensure follow-up actions; as well as the regular auditing in order to ensure reliability and validity and to assess the system’s internal controls. – Contribute to fund-raising in relation to drug, crime, corruption and terrorism-related projects and programmes by preparing the materials and participating in major donor meetings; building support for cost-sharing contributions from the Governments, identifying other alternative funding sources for UNODC projects and activities. – Coordinate fundraising efforts through the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, being both donors and recipients of UNODC’s technical assistance particularly for the SVA 2030; by identifying funding opportunities; preparing briefing packages, facilitating donor meetings including in Arabic language as well as leading fundraising missions to the Gulf region in coordination the relevant field office and regional and global programmes. – Act as a focal and quality assurance person for the reporting on project progress, and liaise with UNODC fund-raisers, donors and potential partners regularly. – Promote opportunities for partnerships with strategic regional organizations and institutions in the MENA region; provide advice on appropriate methods for engagement; participate in the planning of joint initiatives responding to identified needs within UNODC’s mandate. – Liaise on substantive issues with counterparts in the UN System, both in Vienna and in the field, officials of other international and regional organizations and specialized agencies; follow up on the UNODC decisions and actions with their officials. – Prepare country specific briefs for the Executive Director in relation to bilateral meetings with senior and high-level officials from the MENA region and official visits to the countries of the region, including soliciting input and coordination in- house from relevant thematic divisions and field offices, and the preparation of the mission programme and related correspondence to national counterparts (in Arabic and/or English language). – Act as focal point within the Regional Section for official written communication/responses to and by the Executive Director (in Arabic) in relation to various engagements and cooperation modalities with Member States of the MENA region. – Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. Organize and coordinate the preparation of and draft/consolidate the reports to the Constituencies and other legislative and technical bodies as well as their subsidiary bodies, such as the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ). – Act as a focal point of expertise for Senior Management regarding geopolitical developments in the MENA region including by preparing briefs and position papers highlighting potential of such developments on UNODC’s field presence, programme implementation, donor relations and any strategic opportunities for engagement. – Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insight through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. – Establish/maintain coordination mechanisms with the Arab Permanent Missions in Vienna including provision, in Arabic, of briefings, advice and updates on key programmatic developments at country level as well as regionally to ensure clear communication and continued support to UNODC’s work in the MENA region. – Liaise with colleagues in the field offices and supervise junior Professional and GS staff as well as UNVs, interns etc.. – Perform other work-related duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to crime, drug and/or terrorism related issues with specific focus on the related region. Has knowledge of policies, practices and mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has good research, analytical, policy setting and negotiation skills. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills and is able to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of problems/issues. Has knowledge of programme/project development, management and technical cooperation related issues as well as of concepts on integrated programming. Is able to produce reports and papers on substantive and/or technical issues. Is able to apply good judgment in work assignments, plan own work and coordinate the work of others. Has ability to analyse and interpret data in support of decision making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision. Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnership and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Proven ability to draft policy and technical reports, studies and other communications to various counterparts and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise manner. Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, economics, international relations, law, political science, statistics, public administration or related field. 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in technical cooperation and programme management at the international level is required. At least five years of international experience in providing technical assistance in areas related to UNODC’s mandates with focus on drug control and transnational organized crime are required. Extensive work experience with an ERP system (such as SAP/Umoja) as well as work experience with a project planning, implementation and management system including through IPMR is required. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience working in drug prevention and rule of law matters in Africa and the Middle East region is desirable. Work experience in developing countries is desirable. Experience with the United Nations or similar international organization 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.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is a project post. Filling of the position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. 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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. 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. Vienna is classified in the A category (family duty station).
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.