Research Specialist at UNDP

Background
This position is with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer/Head of Programme, Programme Support Team (PMO/HPST) and the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative. The Research Officer (Coordinator) will work under the technical supervision of the Chief of the Statistics and Surveys Section (SASS), Headquarters Vienna. S/he will work also in close collaboration with the Core Project Teams in CONIG and UNODC HQs staff

Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of drug use, criminal justice and corruption surveys, the development of a system to monitor cannabis production, and the collection of drug and crime, including criminal justice related, administrative statistics.  S/he will be responsible for the daily management and central coordination of data collection activities. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Lead, coordinate and monitor the implementation of surveys through all projects, and, in particular, design and implement population-based surveys on drug use, corruption, criminal justice and remote sensing surveys to monitor current trends in these areas with national partners;
• Interact with senior managers from national counterparts to ensure their cooperation in the implementation of the surveys and their smooth operations;
• Coordinate and participate in the designing of technical assistance programmes/projects for the development or strengthening of national monitoring systems for drug use, corruption and criminal justice, including the implementation of surveys;
• Prepare and manage a consolidated plan of activities related to data collection in the field of crime and drugs, including illicit crop monitoring as well population-based surveys, in close collaboration with relevant national counterparts;
• Plan, coordinate, supervise and provide expertise for the conduct and implementation of data collection activities and surveys including  corruption, drug use, criminal justice and cannabis surveys in collaboration with national counterparts;
• In coordination with the Project Coordinators, plan and supervise all baseline studies foreseen under the three projects;
• Monitor and analyse the development and implementation of activities under all projects related to data collection and reporting; coordinate and review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; and ensure follow-up actions;
• Coordinate and supervise activities related to budget funding as related to data collection through all three projects (programme/project preparation and submission, progress reports, financial statements, etc) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc);
• Ensure the conformity of data collection activities related to criminal justice, corruption and drugs  with methodological guidelines established by UNODC;
• Identify and help to introduce survey methodological improvements;
• Ensure quality control in the implementation of data collection activities and reporting;
• Undertake field missions, with a view to assist government/relevant institutions to conduct assessments and identify measures required to monitor the evolution of the drug and crime situation;
• Coordinate the contribution to the reporting of data/information on illicit crops (cannabis), drugs and crime (particularly corruption) and criminal justice to UNODC Headquarters;
• Manage, supervise and provide training and technical guidance to national and international research officers working in the country office or beneficiary institutions;
• Liaise effectively with substantial units at UNODC headquarters, in particular with the Drug Prevention and Health Branch, the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch and the Justice Section as well as with counterparts, development partners and other stakeholders in Nigeria to avoid overlap and duplication of efforts and ensure UN wide coordination;
• Undertake any other related activities, as may be required

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• Specialists and senior staff within the Organization, Officers and other staff at the professional and higher levels from organizations in the UN system.
• High level officials in government and other international organizations and non-governmental organizations, heads of research institutes, academia, etc.
• Delivers high quality research results. Plays a lead role in the implementation of surveys on drug use, corruption, criminal justice and remote sensing surveys.
• Develops well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to deal with complex policy/technical issues.
• Effectively leads and manages major reports, projects and work teams and timely delivers outputs in a timely manner, in accordance with overall objectives and policies.
• Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties to help meet organization’s objectives, in particular, in relation to the three projects.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Has knowledge of the mandates of UNODC. Has knowledge and experience in programmes to compile process and analyse data. Has ability to design and monitor data collection activities such as population-based and remote sensing surveys.
• Has knowledge and experience in programme management.
• Ability to apply statistical methods to the collection of information.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of drug-related statistics; 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.

Communication:

• Very good communication skills to liaise negotiate and advocate with key stakeholders and other implementing agencies. Proven ability to write technical reports and reviews and conduct presentations.
• Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnership and working relationships in a multicultural environment.
• 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.

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.

Accountability:

• Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Judgement/Decision-making:

• Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Statistics, Public Health, Geography, or related fields.
• A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in the development and/or implementation of large-scale surveys and programme management: agricultural, environmental, drug use, corruption, crime, or other socio-economic surveys required.
• Practical experience in the design and implementation of technical assistance and training programmes in at least one of the subject area (crops, drugs or corruption) is required.
• Experience with the design implementation of surveys in West Africa is a strong asset. Experience in the use of geographic information technologies such as remote sensing, geographic information systems and satellite-based position systems for land and environmental resources planning and management is an advantage. Previous work experience with the United Nations an asset.
• Knowledge of EU funded projects an advantage. 
• Fully proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.

Languages:

• 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.