Project Officer (Prosecution and Judiciary Expert, Terrorism Prevention) at United Nations

Job Summary
Special Notice:

• This is a project post. 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.

Organisation Setting and Reporting:

• The position is located at the UNODC Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG).
• The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria and the substantive guidance of the Chief, Implementation Support Section II (ISS-II), Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA) at UNODC Headquarters, Vienna.
• In addition, the incumbent will coordinate all aspects of work closely with the Project Coordinator (Legal Expert, Terrorism Prevention) based in Abuja and a designated lead Programme Officer (Terrorism Prevention) in charge of the Nigeria programme in ISS-II/TPB.

Responsibilities
As a member of the project team (consisting of staff based both in the field and at UNODC headquarters), the focus of the job is to lead prosecutorial and judiciary capacity building support on terrorism-related cases. Within assigned authority, the Project Officer, as an expert in Prosecution and Judiciary matters, will be responsible for the following duties:

• Capacity building support for legal advisors and prosecutors: Carry out lead responsibility for the refinement and delivery of outputs and achievement of results and outcomes of the project pertaining to capacity building for legal advisors and prosecutors concerning terrorism-related cases: provide substantive expertise, assess capacity building needs of concerned national entities and lead the conceptualization, design and implementation of activities, etc.
• Capacity building support for the judiciary: Carry out lead responsibility for the refinement and delivery of outputs and achievement of results and outcomes of the project pertaining to capacity building for the judiciary concerning terrorism cases: provide substantive expertise, assess capacity building needs and lead the conceptualization, design and implementation of activities.
• Capacity building support for collaborative investigation and prosecution: Jointly with the project’s expert on crime investigation, carry out co-lead responsibility for the refinement and delivery of outputs and achievement of results and outcomes of the project pertaining to capacity building for collaborative investigation and prosecution of terrorism cases: provide substantive expertise, assess capacity building needs and co-lead the conceptualization, design and implementation of activities.
• Technical publications: Provide expert inputs for the preparation of technical tools, substantive publications and training tools materials pertaining to rule of law-based criminal justice responses to terrorism.
• Substantive input for the whole project: Provide specialized expert input on prosecution and adjudication aspects and general substantive input for other relevant project activities, outcome areas and the project as a whole, especially for outcomes pertaining to national ownership of criminal justice aspects of terrorism prevention.
• Contributions for project management and coordination: Participate in overall project management and provide required input concerning the areas of responsibility for the project management, coordination, reporting and follow-up. Participate in and contribute to coordination with all project partners, including on-going coordination and information sharing with the European Union.
• Carry out other work related tasks as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Has expertise in legal, prosecution, adjudication and related inter-agency collaboration matters pertaining to handling serious crimes, such as terrorism and transnational organized crime. Has expertise in training and other capacity building initiatives in these areas.
• Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches, policies and practices in terrorism prevention, crime prevention and criminal justice reform.
• Has knowledge of the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and of the major initiatives of the international community in terrorism prevention.
• Has sound analytical skills and ability to identify problems and contribute to problem-solving.
• Has knowledge of programme development, management and implementation.
• 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.

Client Orientation:

• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with all relevant stakeholders. Clearly identifies their needs for developing and implementing legal, policy and other responses related to terrorism issues.
• Ensures continuous dialogue with the stakeholders monitoring the relevant developments and undertaking the necessary adjustments; meets timeline for delivery of technical assistance and other services and products.
• 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 informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Teamwork:

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working conditions in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environments. Proven cross-cultural and gender sensitivity, as well as managerial abilities.
• 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

• An advanced university Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Criminal Law, International Law or General Law is required.
• Specialization in prosecution and judiciary is highly desirable. Specialization in legal and related aspects of terrorism prevention and their international dimensions is highly desirable.
• 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.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of relevant progressively responsible experience in prosecution or closely related criminal justice work is required, preferably with a focus on terrorism or transnational organized crime, with sound exposure to related judiciary, crime prevention and criminal justice matters.
• Work experience in technical assistance activities, including project management, and in policy and programme advising in counter-terrorism or a directly related field is highly desirable.
• Work experience at the national and international levels with a focus on West Africa is highly desirable.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English, i.e. oral and written proficiency, is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.