National Project Officer-Support to the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) at UNODC - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the supervision and guidance of the International Project Coordinator, the National Project Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project 'Support to the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (TIP) in Nigeria'. S/he will work in close teaming with other staff to ensure full coordination between the various TIP and SOM  projects and with counterparts and will support efforts designed to expand CONIG’s TIP and SOM portfolios.

The National Project Officer is responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project in line with the Project Document and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Provide substantive input and backstopping to the implementation of the activities under the project in accordance with the work plan with a view to ensuring high quality outputs.
2. Implement the activities under the project by contributing to, and ensuring, coordination among the relevant project officials and government counterparts with regard to the administrative set up of the activities, activities and financial monitoring and reporting.
3. Develop, analyze, review and revise detailed work plan with implementing partners and key stakeholders.
4. Ensure the timely implementation and achievement of project components; and review as necessary, the Outputs and Outcomes versus objectives as set forth in the project document.
5. Maintain regular contact and work in close cooperation with relevant Government counterpart officials concerned regarding the implementation of the project.
6. Prepare and draft a variety of written outputs that relate to the implementation of the project, such as background papers, progress reports, evaluation reports, mission reports, briefings and presentations.
7. Prepare briefing notes and reports for Project Steering Committee meetings.
8. Supervise national personnel engaged in the implementation of project activities.
9. Ensure regular communication with the donors and ensure that reporting and other obligations towards the donors are fulfilled in a timely manner.
10. Facilitate the organization and conduct training programmes for law enforcement officials and NAPTIP investigators and  prosecutors, as contained in the project document.
11. Organize, in cooperation with government counterparts and experts, the development of training materials and the training curriculum.
12. Responsible for analyzing and interpreting project background and document-ation, identifying and documenting significant project events, decisions and directives.  
13. Draft and submit monthly project implementation reports and semi-annual project progress reports required by the donor.  
14. Monitor all aspects of project implementation, identify problems and propose remedial  actions to expedite delivery of inputs.
15. Maintain financial records (principally records of budgets and expenditures) in respect of project expenditures and ensure timely and accurate submission of financial reports to UNODC.
16. Maintain computer-based correspondence and financial records and filing system in line with the filing system used by UNODC
17. Undertake such other relevant duties as assigned by the UNODC.

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 Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, business administration, social sciences or a related field.
•  A minimum of seven  years of professional working experience with progresive responsibilities in the government, academia or civil society organizations.
• Experience of working in the field relating to anti human trafficking.
• Practical experience in implementation of technical assistance projects.  Knowledge of: (a) the project cycle (b) the establishment of measurable achievement indicators and the monitoring of the same and (c) the logical framework are distinct advantages;
• Up to date knowledge of UN programmes, policies, guidelines and procedures would be an asset;
• Proficiency in English is essential.  
• Ability to function in a Local Area Network environment is essential.  Knowledge of word-processing, MS Project, advanced MS Excel and MS Access will be required.