National Legal Officer - END VAC (UNODC) at UNDP

Background

• This position is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG). Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Country Representative and the direct supervision of the Project Leader (Protecting children in Nigeria) from the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section, Vienna, the incumbent will be tasked with supporting local implementation of the project Protecting children in Nigeria in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe State and providing substantive and technical expertise thereto.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within the assigned authority, the National Legal Officer will carry out a range of functions to support the local implementation of the project Protecting children in Nigeria. In particular the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

• Provide substantive and legal expertise for technical assistance activities under outcome 1 of the Project, related to protecting children from armed groups, including terrorist groups, such as workshops and trainings for community leaders and youths, and provide substantive and legal guidance and support for the implementation of community engagement and awareness-raising initiatives.
• Provide substantive and legal assistance to the revision and/or elaboration of laws, policy instruments under outcome 2 of the Project, by contributing to the elaboration of State-level policy guidance and operational recommendations for the Nigeria Call for Action, developing guidelines and protocols for institutions and other actors, as well as the development of advocacy and advocacy briefs including practical recommendations to strengthen the legal and operational frameworks for accountability of perpetrators. 
• Provide substantive and legal assistance to the design and implementation of training activities and related technical material for relevant national stakeholders under outcome 2 of the Project, in close partnership with the team.
• Provide substantive support to meetings and conferences including proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing participants, preparing background documents and delivering presentations, supporting administrative aspects if needed.
• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation component of Protecting children in Nigeria by, inter alia, collecting data and information, ensuring adequate follow-up to technical assistance, preparing periodic project progress reports, supporting independent evaluation.
• Participate in project communication activities by preparing content and inputs.
• Undertake outreach and dissemination activities, as required and promote cooperation and continuous sharing of information inside the team and with relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in or support field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and draft mission reports, and ensure follow-up action.
• Perform any other work-related duties as required/assigned.

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.

Technological Awareness: 

• Proficiency in the MS Office package, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as required. 

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminology, or related field, 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, or a related field, at the national level is required. 
• Working experience in areas related to violence against children and/or counter-terrorism is desirable. 
• Working experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is an advantage. 
• Admission to the Bar is an advantage.