Programme Officer

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, Austria.

The Programme Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Section.

For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website:

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Provide substantive and backstopping support for assigned regional and national programmes as well as projects; work in close consultation with the UNODC Regional/Country/Programme Offices and contribute to the development and implementation of programmes in full compliance with the overall substantive and operational guidelines established by UNODC; be responsible for providing technical assistance and overseeing capacity-building programmes in the region under the framework of the respective Regional Programmes.
• Support the UNODC Regional/Country/Programme Offices in the implementation, monitoring and technical backstopping of global, regional and national ongoing/pipeline programmes, projects; monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation; draft programme/project proposals and review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; monitor substantive progress and results regional/country programmes and/or projects, through review of field office performance/progress reports.
• Assist in elaborating and appraising proposals for drug and crime programmes, sub-programmes and projects by participating in programme/project planning with Government officials and other partners; reviewing new proposals received from UNODC Regional/Country/Programme Offices for review/approval by UNODC headquarters; identifying/recommending funding possibilities.
• In close consultation with relevant Sections/Units conduct quality control and oversight reviews of all submissions originating from Africa and the Middle East region (e.g., project documents, revisions, subprogramme documents to be processed through the Direct approval workflow)
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.; prepare briefing notes and summary reports on the country/region for the Executive Director, senior management and senior official visitors to UNODC and for country and regional consultations with donors, as well as for other major UNODC events; draft routine day-to-day correspondence to UNODC Field Offices and other United Nations entities, as well as, in appropriate cases, to Government authorities.
• Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.; undertake outreach activities; conduct training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• 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.
• Participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.; support all action related to maintaining the flow of information on project- and programme-related matters between DO and the UNODC Regional/Country/Programme Offices; coordinate activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Perform other work-related duties as may be required.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Has knowledge and understanding of concepts, practices and approaches relevant to all areas of drugs and crime; has in-depth knowledge of and specialization in areas of drug abuse prevention, law enforcement, and criminal justice reform.

Possesses sound knowledge of international cooperation in crime prevention/criminal justice. Has knowledge of the mandates of UNODC. Knows and 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. Knows various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Has the 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.

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

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 social sciences, economics, international relations, law, political science, statistics, 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 experience in technical cooperation and programme management, at the international and/or national levels, especially in the areas of drug control activities, crime or terrorism prevention, law enforcement, criminal justice, governance, public administration, conflict prevention or other related areas, is required.

Experience with the United Nations system or a similar international organization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Work experience with counterparts in the field in relevant areas is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required and fluency is French is desirable. Knowledge of other United Nations 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 temporarily available for 6 months.

If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.

Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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 as a H and 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.

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