National Associate Programme Officer at UNDP

Background

• This position is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office  Nigeria (CONIG).
• Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative and the direct supervision of the Associate Programme Officer based in Lagos
• The incumbent will assist in project management and implementation in line with written guidelines and instructions developed by UNODC on project cycle management and project implementation.
• The incumbent will work in close team work with other colleagues of the project in CONIG as well as at relevant HQ sections of UNODC, to create synergy and achieve full coordination of project activities and effective project partnerships, especially with the project’s Nigerian stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, the National Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Maintains close contact with local communities, law enforcement, security agencies, and justice sector institutions by building strong relationships between the relevant agencies based in Baylesa, and overall in Niger Delta;
• Facilitates the smooth and effective flow of communication with national entities, by maintaining regular contact, providing required information, etc.
• Provides guidance to consultants, local stakeholders, community leaders to identify community champions to help in mitigation of maritime crime in target communities in the Niger Delta;
• Provides substantive and technical support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Advises the Programme Officer and project staff of national and local considerations and realities in Niger Delta for proper and effective project implementation, as well as on ways to strengthen partnerships with beneficiary institutions, as well as local considerations and realities for proper and effective project implementation.
• Coordinates and liaises regularly on project activities planning and implementation with relevant national partners (including designated focal points and other senior professionals), as well as regional/international partners present in Nigeria.
• Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Support the Programme Officer and project staff in following-up communication with beneficiary institutions, including official letters, request for technical assistance, and the process of identifying participants and national experts, including trainers, for activities under the project
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources, relevant for project implementation related to the fight against maritime crime
• Prepare various written outputs, e.g. briefing notes for senior management, sections of UN/UNODC reports such as UNODC Annual Report, ensure quality inputs to publications, websites and other reports.
• Prepare and submit for approval substantive and financial reports, semi-annual and annual project progress reports, inputs to Quarterly Field Reports (QFRs), annual reports to donors.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations
• Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries and ensure follow-up action.
• Provide support in drafting new project concepts and documents in relation to the Office’s Global Maritime Crime Programme, in order to diversify its portfolio (in line with the Country and Regional Programmes, UNODC Menu of Services and UNODC strategic frameworks) for circulation with potential partners/donors.
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Demonstrated professional competence in programme management and implementation, ideally with a focus on criminal justice matters; 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.

Teamwork:

• Proven interpersonal skills and 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 inputs by genuinely valuing others ideas and expertise;
• Demonstrates willingness 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 Skills and Experience
Education:

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Law, Criminology, Conflict Resolution, International Relations, Public or Business Administration, Project Management, Political Science or other relevant Social or Political area, is required.
• A first-level University Degree in similar fields in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.  

Experience:

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in project / programme management or administration within the area of rule of law and criminal justice at community, local or/and national level is required.
• Work experience in prevention of maritime crime in the Niger Delta, as well as peace, governance or/and maritime security area is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches of the relevant aspects in counter-piracy and the prevention of maritime crime in Niger Delta is highly desirable.
• Work experience in substantive liaison and coordination at community, local and national government level is highly desirable.
• Good research and analytical skills are desirable. In particular, research experience in maritime insecurity in Niger Delta is an advantage.
• Working experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is an desirable.
• Knowledge of policies and practices on maritime crime and transnational organised crime, as well as in the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is an advantage.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an added advantage.