Representative, D1 at United Nations

Job Code Title: Representative, Drug Control And Crime Prevention
Job Opening Number: 18-Drug Control and Crime Prevent-UNODC-94643-R-Abuja (X)
Department/Office: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Org. Setting and Reporting

• This position is located in the Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Abuja, Nigeria.
• The Representative works under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director of the Division for Operations (DO) and oversight through the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East (RSAME) at UNODC headquarters in Vienna.

Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, the Representative is responsible for effectively implementing UNODC programmes and activities in Nigeria in support of Member States capacity to effectively deal with crime, drugs and terrorism.
• S/he will be responsible and accountable for the efficient management of all human and financial resources allocated to the programmes and the office, as well as for ensuring outputs of a high quality standard.

In particular, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Programme implementation:

• Provide overall management and coordination of the portfolio in the country and ensure effective project/programme delivery;
• Oversee the work of project teams and office staff and monitor that programme implementation and use of funds are consistent, substantively, technically and financially in line with the objectives set forth in the programming documents;
• Guide project teams in their project cycle management tasks and quality assurance functions and provide direct approval of project documents and revisions, in conformity with UNODC Management Instructions (MI);
• Manage the Office’s programme, budget and human resources and ensure the timely submission of regular substantive and financial reporting thereon;
• Chair/cochair semiannual programme steering and review meetings and conduct programme visibility events, together with Government officials and other senior officials from partner organizations, donor countries and UN agencies;
• Conduct and lead frequent programme review meetings with project teams, government counterparts, donors, partners and UN agencies to review and monitor programme progress;
• Analyze programme progress against set work plans and benchmarks, identify solutions to counter delivery obstacles and effect remedial actions as and when required, in consultation with local counterparts and UNODC headquarters;

Office management:

• In accordance with established policies and delegated authority manage the financial and human resources of the Office, including all programme and project personnel under his/her supervision;
• Provide appropriate guidance and ensure supervision of all programme and project staff, as well as the efficient and effective use of such resources by:
• Setting priorities and establishing work plans, deadlines, standards, and targets in accordance with the programme and functions to be delivered;
• Recruiting contractors and local staff through UNDP or other UN agencies; reviewing and recommending the selection of international staff (recruited through UNODC HQs),
• Guiding and supervising internationally and locally recruited staff assigned to the Office and ongoing programme, and acting as reporting officer for Performance Appraisal Reports,
• Liaising with agency and government personnel implementing UNODC financedprojects,
• Taking responsibility for the Office’s budget, certifying expenditures, preparing budget estimates and reports,
• Controlling office and other accommodations, as well as the office’s vehicles, equipment and other assets funded from UNODC programme and field office budgets
• Act as the accountable UNODC security manager for the office, programme operations, premises, personnel and assets in the country/region, under the lead of the local UN Designated Officials (DO) and in consultation with Security Management Team, and ensure appropriate security coverage for all UNODC operations.
• Lead and motivate dynamic programme/project teams composed of technical experts and project managers covering diverse subject matters, fostering teamwork;
• Manage a team culture focused on delivery of results and impact, by articulating and communicating clearly and persuasively to expert, generalist and policy level audiences.

Programme development & Resource Mobilization
Formulate programme objectives for technical assistance in the country, by:

• Preparing a programme framework on envisaged UNODC assistance in a 45 years period (spanning across different biennial cycles);
• Determining and recommending selection and identification of viable subprogrammes and projects to be developed within the programme framework,
• Negotiating and determining project funding and execution modalities, and
• Coordinating and integrating envisaged UNODC programmes with activities of the United Nations, international financial institutions, bilateral aid programmes and NGOs.
• Explore opportunities to grow the Country Office programme portfolio in line with UNODC strategy and governments requests, increase programme volume, develop proposals and oversee their effective and timely implementation,
• Lead local resource mobilization action that promotes longterm involvement and provision of financial and inkind resources by governments, international, public and private sector donors to the work of UNODC for the core infrastructure and technical assistance programme of UNODC in the country/region,
• Maintain regular consultations with counterparts to ensure that financial commitments (pledges) are timely honoured and funding gaps addressed.
• Act as a catalyst for solving complex geopolitical issues relating to UNODC’s programme of work in the region.

Advocacy:

• Represent UNODC’s position and interests in the assigned country/region, especially with the host country, donors and partners;
• Maintain solid partnerships with institutions and senior officials from Government, civil society, regional and international aid agencies and financial institutions, parliaments, the media and lead the negotiation/conclusion of new partnership agreements;
• Provide policy advice to the highest levels of Government(s) in the assigned country/region on the development of regional and national long term capacitybuilding in drug control and crime prevention, in order to promote adherence to and ensure consistency with the terms of the United Nations conventions, drug control treaties, the Conventions against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and Corruption (UNCAC) and the international instruments to counter terrorism, as well as with the implementation of goals and objectives of the 20th Special Session of the General Assembly.

This will be achieved by:

• Conducting research of existing economic and social conditions in the region as well as current policies and development plans relevant to drug control and crime prevention,
• Analyzing trends in crime, drug abuse, trafficking and production,
• Assisting the Government(s) in the assessment of planning, design and management of response policy measures, in particular developing and proposing national/regional cooperation strategies,
• Providing support and leadership, with the concurrence of the Government(s) for coordination of drug control and crime prevention assistance with UN entities, bilateral aid agencies and NGOs,
• Functioning as a repository and focal point for drug control and crime prevention related information, and
• Keeping UNODC Headquarters fully informed through periodic reports on the drug control and crime/terrorism prevention issues and other relevant substantial areas as required.
• Promote a better understanding of the importance of drug and crime related matters, encourage increased priority attention to all aspects of drug control and crime prevention, and advocate the inclusion of these issues in government planning documents as well as in relevant programmes of other bilateral, multilateral and nongovernmental organizations, by:
• Building support for UNODC local community, donors, NGOs and other local partners,
• Undertaking resource mobilization initiatives aimed at attracting financial support to the work of UNODC,
• Supporting substantively and logistically relevant regional initiatives, as well as leading and/or participating in thematic committees related to drug control and crime prevention,
• Leading and supervising the organization of meetings/seminars etc. on substantive issues and participate in international, regional or national meetings providing programmatic/substantive expertise on relevant issues, holding discussions with representatives of other institutions.
• Establish and maintain diplomatic partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect, demonstrating analytical and diplomatic skills in assessing client requirements and proposing new solutions.
• Foster intellectual, substantive policylevel dialogue with Government on programme development in UNODC mandate areas, maintaining sensitivity to political issues.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has demonstrated professional competence and mastery in programme development and execution, advocacy as well as in providing seasoned effective specialized advice in a broad range of development assistance issues and on matters related to drugs and crime.
• Has ability to negotiate and resolve complex and politically sensitive issues/problems with governments and cooperating institutions. Has ability to ensure adequate preparation of reports and papers on technical issues as well as rationale with respect to key technical assistance decisions. Is able to supervise and to review the work of others. Possesses uptodate knowledge and practical experience of UN programme policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Has knowledge of UN rules and regulations. Has demonstrated sensitivity to geopolitical issues and adaptability to complex political environments. Possesses proven negotiating and diplomatic skills and ability to assume a key role in advising counterparts and networking with national and international partners.
• Has capacity to stimulate intellectual, substantive policylevel dialogue with Government on programme development in drug control and crime prevention issues, and technical cooperation coordination; sensitivity to political issues and adaptability to local environment, hardship, and security/emergency situations; 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.
• 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.
• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• Judgement/Decisionmaking: 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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university Degree (Master's or equivalent) in Political or Social Sciences, International Relations, Programme Management, Economics, Law, Public or Business Administration, or another relevant discipline is required.
• A firstlevel 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 15 years of progressively responsible experience with an excellent performance record in international technical assistance programme management with a solid experience in the area of promoting justice and the rule of law in relation to UNODC’s mandate on drug control and crime/terrorism prevention is required.
• Proven administrative/financial and human resources management ability, experience in international diplomacy and demonstrable advisory and negotiation capacity is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in coordinating and leading the implementation of programmes and projects, especially at the field level, is desirable. Work experience in the above areas in UN agencies/funds/programmes or other relevant international institutions is highly desirable.
• Field experience with the United Nations or international/regional organizations managing technical cooperation portfolios in developing countries and complex security settings is highly desirable.

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 advantage.

Assessment:

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competencybased interview.
• Special Notice
• This position is funded from extrabudgetary resources. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Any extension is subject to availability of funding.
• Staff members are subject to the authority of the SecretaryGeneral 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.
• The United Nations is Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
• Abuja is classified as category C and family duty station.

United Nations Considerations

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
• Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a nonsmoking environment.
• Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyperlink on the upper right side of the inspira accountholder homepage.
• The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.