National Programme Officer - Counter Terrorism at UNDP

Preamble

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) is the programme of the UN organization, which promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.

In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.

In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Brief Project Description

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is mandated by the General Assembly to assist Member States with the prevention of illicit drugs, crime and terrorism by providing legal technical assistance and criminal justice capacity-building activities.  In the context of global counter-terrorism efforts, UNODC provides technical assistance to requesting countries in addressing the legal and criminal justice aspects of countering terrorism. The delivery of specialized technical assistance is led by its Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB), jointly with the UNODC Country Office for Nigeria.  Since 2012, UNODC has been actively engaged with the Nigerian Government in providing counter-terrorism assistance through a programme endorsed by the Government and implemented in partnership with the European Union and other international partners, entitled “Partnership on Strengthening Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism”. The Programme’s objective is to help Nigerian criminal justice entities to strengthen their capacity to undertake rule of law-based and human rights-compliant measures against terrorism. The Programme has focused on: enhancing the capacity of national criminal justice officials to implement counter-terrorism measures, especially the successful investigation and prosecution of terrorism in accordance with rule of law and with due respect for human rights; reinforce international criminal justice cooperation; strengthen inter-agency collaboration in the criminal justice responses to terrorism among relevant national entities; and reinforce knowledge and analysis of relevant domestic legislation.  

Organizational Context

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s (UNODC) mission is to make the world safer from drugs, crime and terrorism. In the context of global counter-terrorism, the UNODC is mandated to provide assistance to requesting countries in their efforts to address the legal and criminal justice aspects of countering terrorism.  Specialized assistance delivery is led by its Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB).  Since 2003, the Terrorism Prevention Branch has been mandated by the General Assembly to promote the ratification of the 19 universal legal instruments against terrorism, assist with the legislative incorporation of these treaties, provide capacity building training to criminal justice officials to strengthen their criminal justice responses to terrorism, and promote international cooperation in criminal matters related to terrorism.  

The Terrorism Prevention Branch implements its technical assistance delivery jointly with UNODC field offices including the UNODC Country Office in Nigeria.  The UN Volunteer will be posted in Abuja, Nigeria at the UNODC Country Office and support substantive and organizational coordination of UNODC programme activities for strengthening Nigeria's criminal justice measures against terrorism. This will also entail supporting UNODC’s partnerships in Nigeria with Nigerian government agencies and relevant members of the international community based in Abuja. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under The Overall Guidance Of The UNODC Representative And The Supervision Of The Nigeria CT Programme Coordinator, The UN Volunteer (National Programme Officer, Counter Terrorism) Will Carry Out a Diverse Work Plan Entailing Specified Assignments In The Following Main Areas

• Provide support for the substantive and organizational liaison with the project’s national counterpart entities and officials, and with international partners with field presence in Nigeria;
• Participate in and contribute to the planning, preparations for, implementation and coordination of project activities;
• Participate in and contribute to project management, especially in ensuring project reporting, promoting project visibility, partnership building and mobilizing support;
• Provide support for carrying out the project administration, such as project implementation monitoring and budget management.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: 

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output

• Excellent substantive and organizational liaison ensured with the project’s national counterpart entities and officials, and with the international partners with field presence in Nigeria.  Effective and timely oral and written communications.  Excellent networking;
• Timely and good quality substantive and organizational contributions for the planning, preparations for, implementation and coordination of project activities. Various written substantive products. Planning and execution of organizational details;
• Timely and good quality contributions for the project management, especially in ensuring project reporting, promoting project visibility, partnership building and mobilizing support.  Various written products.  Networking;
• Timely and effective support for carrying out the project administration, such as project implementation monitoring and budget management;
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies

• Communication and negotiation skills;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Possesses strong interpersonal skills;
• Result oriented outlook;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including. excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, team and networking skills.

Education

• University degree (Bachelors degree) in Law, Criminology, Social Sciences, International Relations or related fields;
• An advanced university degree (Masters degree) is desirable.

Experience

• A minimum of two years professional work experience in criminal justice or related disciplines;
• Familiarity with rule of law, criminal justice, crime and terrorism prevention;
• Evidence of ability to think strategically; to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams; sense of cultural and gender sensitivity.
• A strong commitment to UN development work; commitment to work on Counter Terrorism; an interest in adapting to varied physical and professional environments; and a desire to work with people with different language, national and cultural backgrounds.

Computer Skills

• Experience in handling web-based management system
• Proficiency in Standard Computer Software (Word, Excel, Database, PowerPoint, Internet)
• Strong aptitude for learning computer based financial and program management software for monitoring programs
• Experience in the usage of ATLAS (Finance Application Access Module) will be an advantage.

Language Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Conditions Of Service
A 12-month contract; monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to N94, 914; Settling-in-Grant (if applicable) equivalent of one month VLA, i.e. Naira 94,914 for a 12-month assignment if candidate is recruited from outside the duty station, or pro-rated if assignment is shorter than 12 months; life, health, and permanent disability insurance; return travel (if applicable); Resettlement Allowance for satisfactory service.