Senior Programme Officer (Head of Programme Office), P5

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Office in Ukraine (POUKR) with duty station in Kyiv, Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Deputy Director of DO and day-to-day oversight through the Regional Section for Europe, West and Central Asia (RSEWCA) located at UNODC headquarters in Vienna.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Senior Programme Officer (Head of Programme Office in Ukraine) is responsible for the effective implementation of UNODC programmes and activities in Ukraine in supporting Member States’ capacities to deal effectively with issues related drug control, crime prevention, countering corruption and terrorism prevention, i.e. UNODC’s core mandate areas. S/he will be responsible and accountable for the efficient management of all human, financial and physical resources allocated to the programmes of the office, as well as for ensuring outputs of a high-quality standard.

The incumbent is also a member of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Ukraine, under the strategic guidance and coordination of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in order to ensure UNODC contributions to UNCT, and as such will work closely with them. As member of the local Security Management Team (SMT) the incumbent supports and advises the local Designated Official (DO) in all security management related matters.

The incumbent will perform the following specific duties:

Advocacy:

• Provide advice to senior Government officials and promote adherence to and ensure consistency with the terms of the United Nations conventions, drug control treaties, the Conventions against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and Corruption (UNCAC) and the international instruments to counter terrorism, as well as with the goals and objectives of the 20th Special Session of the General Assembly;
• Promote a better understanding of the importance of core-mandate matters, encourage increased priority attention to all aspects of the related mandates and advocate the inclusion of these issues in government planning documents as well in relevant programmes of other bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental organizations;
• Ensure the effective communication of UNODC’s work and its impact in the Ukraine across substantive pillars;
• Represent UNODC’s position and interests and promote solid partnerships with governmental institutions, civil society, national and international stakeholders, financial institutions, parliamentarians and the media;
• Advise DO management on dynamics in the Ukraine related to or resulting from the UN Development System Reform and 2030 Agenda based on close interaction with other UNODC Field Offices, and HQ divisions.

Programme Development/Resource Mobilization:

• Assist the Government’s counterparts in the development and implementation of initiatives, coordinate and liaise with relevant UNODC Headquarters’ Branches and Sections and liaise on substantive, management and administrative issues and thematic areas, streamline cross-UNODC implementation and stimulate synergies between projects/programmes, activities and initiatives, including in coordination with the Division for Management to promoting better synergies among UNODC regional and country programmes;
• Contribute towards UN-wide strategic planning and cooperation in the field, in particular with the UN Development Coordination Office (UN DCO) and the UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG). Ensure that drugs/crime related issues are embedded in key UN programmatic instruments such as the United Nations Transitional Framework in the Ukraine and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Advocate for drugs/crime related issues to be embedded in key UN programmatic instruments such as the United Nations Common Country Analysis; Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework;
• Explore opportunities to grow the volume of the office programme portfolio in line with UNODC strategy and Governments’ requests, develop proposals and oversee their implementation;
• Support DO senior management, in the development of new partnerships for field-based services to Member States and the joint resource mobilization for new activities;
• Ensure that a resource mobilization strategy remains in place for improved planning of effective technical cooperation that promotes long-term involvement including financial and in-kind support and resources by the governments, international, public and private sector donors to the work of UNODC for the core infrastructure and technical assistance programme of UNODC in the country. At the same time engage in joint resource mobilization efforts with the UNCT and in line with the UNDSDF budget;
• Maintain regular consultations with counterparts and ensure that donor funding agreements are honoured in a timely manner.

Programme Implementation:

• Ensure effective implementation of UNODC programmes and activities in Ukraine in supporting Member States capacities to deal effectively with issues related to drug control, crime prevention, countering corruption and terrorism prevention and keep UNODC headquarters informed of the progress being made;
• Coordinate, monitor and evaluate the overall progress of ongoing activities in Ukraine in order to ensure the effective project/programme delivery and use of funds as well as consistency, substantively, technically and financially with the objectives set forth in the programming tools;
• Set priorities and establish work deadlines in the timely production of financial and substantive reports, standard operating procedures, application of management instructions and act as quality assurance focal point;
• In the project cycle management, approve directly project documents in conformity with UNODC Management Instructions (MI), intervene when difficulties arise, take remedial actions as required and identify appropriate solutions;
• Manage corresponding budget and programme resources;
• Ensure integration of human rights and gender system-wide policies in planning and delivery of assistance.

Office Management:

• In accordance with established policies and delegated authority, effectively lead and manage the financial, physical, and human resources of the UNODC Programme Office in Ukraine;
• Lead the Programme Office’s work in relation to Enterprise Risk Management;
• Manage the recruitment of staff and non-staff personnel; ensure effective utilization, supervision and development of human resources; guide, evaluate and mentor personnel; promote professional development and create an inclusive and diverse work environment which fosters civility and respect among colleagues and uphold zero tolerance to harassment, including sexual harassment/exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority;
• Manage the planning, development and management of procurement for the office and projects and ensure maintenance of the Organization’s Asset Management System;
• As member of the local Security Management Team (SMT), and as outlined in the “Handbook for United Nations Designated Officials for Security”, support and advise the local Designated Official in all security management related matters; be responsible for the implementation of local security management decisions taken by the Designated Official and SMT and appropriate security and safety measures and arrangements for UNODC staff, personnel, eligible family members, as well as for all UNODC premises and operations in the country, in coordination with the local UNDSS security officials, and with advice from the UNODC Focal Point for Field Security at headquarters Vienna, as appropriate;
• Lead team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provide insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensure that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need;
• Perform other work-related duties as may be required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of policies, theories, concepts, approaches and practices relevant to the control and prevention of crime, drug and terrorism related issues, as well as the mandates, major developments and challenges in functional and substantive areas covered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has good research and analytical skills. Has knowledge of policies and concepts of UN reform and their impact on field-based programme implementation. Is able to lead and coordinate efforts to develop and mobilize resources for strategic programme initiatives. Has up to-date knowledge of and practice with UN programme policies, guidelines and procedures. Is able to identify issues, analyzee and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has good analytical, planning and organizational skills. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Is able to apply good judgment in the context of the assignments given. Has basic knowledge of the institutions of the United Nations system. Has good communication, presentation, programme coordination and diplomatic skills. Has professional competence in technical assistance issues, programme development and execution. Has excellent networking skills as well as resource mobilization and coordination capabilities. Has ability to ensure adequate preparation of reports and papers on technical issues as well as rationale with respect to key technical assistance decisions. 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;
• Planning and 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.

Managerial Competencies:

• 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;
• Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, law, public administration, political or social sciences, international relations or similar field of study related to the UNODC mandates 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 ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience in international technical assistance programme management in one or several of the following areas of UNODC’s mandates is required: drug control, crime prevention, criminal justice, countering corruption, drug prevention and health matters such as the prevention, treatment, care and rehabilitation of drug use disorders, the prevention, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS health or drug use/HIV prevention and treatment and/or terrorism prevention related issues;
• Several years of experience in coordinating and leading the implementation of programmes and projects at the field level is required;
• Experience in being accountable for the correct application of rules and regulations in a large international organization or governmental institution, non-governmental organization/civil-based organization or similar is required;
• Proven experience in managing administrative/financial and human resources is required;
• Work experience within the United Nations system or a similar international organization is desirable;
• Experience with demonstrated results in negotiation and resource mobilization of development cooperation programmes 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 this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Ukrainian is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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