Programme Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Section for Latin America and the Caribbean (RSLAC), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Section. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org




Responsibilities

Within limits of assigned authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Serve as focal point for designated countries/UNODC Field Offices in the LAC region, in line with the UNODC Strategic Vision for Latin America and the Caribbean (2022 – 2025) and successor. • Provide policy advice and technical support and backstopping, including on office operations, management and administrative matters and Umoja-related issues, to Field Offices in the LAC region. • Contribute to the preparation of the necessary office, programme or project documents and reports, such as progress reports, work plans, budget, programme and performance reports. • Support and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects in the LAC region, in line with the overall strategies and policies of UNODC and in full compliance with its technical and operational guidelines. • Identify problems and issues related to implementation of projects/programmes, initiate corrective actions and ensure timely follow-up actions. • Monitor financial resources, budgets, and utilization of funds in the LAC programme/project segments; programme performance reports, etc., ensuring compliance with UN financial rules and regulations and reporting requirements. • Participate in and carry out periodic assessments of the programme performance of UNODC field offices; participate in selected tripartite reviews and evaluations of programme and projects; prepare, review and assesse reports of field offices on the status of programme implementation. • Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including by proposing agenda topics, identifying participants and preparing documents and presentations. • Undertake outreach activities; conduct capacity-building workshops and seminars, as required; make presentations on implementation and progress of the projects as well as other related topics/activities. • Liaise on substantive and management issues with counterparts in UN and UNODC, both in Vienna and in the field, officials of other organizations and specialized agencies; follow up on the UNODC decisions, issues and documentation with their officials. • Liaise with Permanent Missions in Vienna on issues related to UNODC’s presence and action in Latin America and the Caribbean region. • Contribute to the preparation of Country Profiles, briefing notes, background notes, and any other reports requested, with regards to the activities with Field Offices in the region. • Coordinate the timely drafting and submission of briefing notes, background papers, activities reports, monthly reports, and analytical outputs requested by UNODC’s senior management and related to UNODC’s presence and role in the countries covered. • Prepare/draft a variety of written outputs, such as background papers, correspondence with governments, working papers, mission reports, analyses, briefings, presentations, policy proposals and documents, regular and ad hoc reports, studies, summary reports, manuals, guides, etc. • Brief external stakeholders, including government, civil society organizations, UN agencies, and the public in general, on UNODC's mandate, work, policies and strategies as well as carry out relevant advocacy efforts. • As requested, attend policy-making and technical meetings to liaise with counterparts and to monitor and analyze events and discussions. Liaise on substantive issues with counterparts in UN and UNODC, in Vienna, officials of other organizations and specialized agencies; follow up on UNODC decisions, issues and documentation with their officials. • 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 may be assigned.




Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to crime, drug and/or terrorism related issues. Has knowledge of policies and practices in international drug control and crime prevention, as well as the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has conceptual analytical and evaluation skills and good knowledge relevant to technical cooperation and programme/project implementation matters. Specializes in substantive and functional areas with very good research and analytical skills. Has ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has ability to analyze 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. • Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.




Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, economics, international relations, law, political science, public administration, or 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 five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in technical cooperation, programme management and backstopping, at the international and national levels, in the areas of drug control activities, crime or terrorism prevention, law enforcement, criminal justice, security sector or other related areas, is required. Previous experience in managing/backstopping projects with the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable. Experience with counterparts in the field, especially in the LAC region, is desirable. Experience with programme and operations policies including ERP business tools (i.e., SAP based such as Umoja) 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 other UN official languages is an advantage.




Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency based interview.




Special Notice

This position is financed from extra-budgetary resources. Filling of this 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. 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. 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.” Vienna is classified an H and a 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.