NATIONAL PROJECT OFFICER - COORDINATION WITH NON-STATE ACTORS at UNDP

This position is with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG). The National Programme Officer, Coordination with Non-State Actors will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative, and direct supervision of the Project Expert, Access to Justice. S/he will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of activities aimed at increasing the role of Non-State Actors in facilitating access to justice under Outcome 3 of the project, in line with written guidelines and instructions developed by UNODC on project management cycle and project implementation

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The National Programme Officer, Coordination with Non-State Actors will:

•     Participate in the development, and ensure timely implementation of work plans pertaining to specified activities under the project.
•     Participate in identification, verification and vetting of various Non-State Actors based on mapping exercises, and assist in building collaboration and partnership with them, to ensure their effective participation in the project.
•     Closely coordinate project support and training to Non-State Actors in legal and human rights awareness raising and legal aid provision activities.
•     Contribute to project support to Non-State Actors working on Prisons reform/rehabilitation, and education and awareness to Prisoners, including vulnerable Prisoners.
•     Provide advice to the Project Coordinator and Project Officer as well as other members of the project team as appropriate on local considerations and reality for proper and effective implementation of activities related to access to justice.
•     Ensure that all progress reports pertaining to specified activities are prepared in a timely manner and that their quality and details are up to standard.
•     In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, assist in the periodic review of the monitoring and evaluation systems of project activities.
•     Document best practices and lessons learnt in working with State and Non-State Actors to improve their capacity in delivering access to justice, in a manner that can be shared and disseminated to various stakeholders.
•     Coordinate with UNICEF on activities conducted with Non-State Actors in juvenile justice.
•     Perform other related duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:
Professionalism:

•     Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to criminal justice in Nigeria in general and more specifically to access to justice;
•     Knowledgeable of programme management cycle, including monitoring & evaluation tools and reporting on results, in particular as regards project impact and areas of improvement;
•     Ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues;
•     Shows pride in work and in achievements;
•     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.

Creativity:

•     Actively seeks to improve programmes or services;
•     Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
•     Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;
•     Thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Client Orientation:

•     Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
•     Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
•     Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
•     Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep them informed and anticipate problems;
•     Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

Teamwork:

•     Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
•     Works collaboratively with colleagues within and outside of UNODC 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.

Planning & Organizing:

•     Able to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work while prioritizing competing demands;
•     Able to work on tight deadlines;
•     Knowledge on how to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
•     Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
•     Monitors and adjusts plans and projects as necessary;
•     Uses time efficiently.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

•     Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in law, criminology, political or social science, criminal justice, international relations, public administration, or related field.

Experience:

•     A minimum of 4 years of progressive professional experience in criminal justice or a related field in a national, international or civil society organization.
•     At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, coordination work, capacity building or partnership with federal/State judicial institutions required.
•     Substantial experience in results-based management, project monitoring, reporting and evaluation an asset.
•     Work experience in the United Nations System or European Union funded projects would be an advantage.

Language:

•     English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
•     For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.