National Programme Officer (Trafficking), SB5/5 at UNODC - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Job ID: 40182
Practice Area - Job Family: Management - Programme    
Grade: SB5
Vacancy Type: Service Contract (SC)
Posting Type: Common System
Bureau: Africa
Contract Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension

Background

• This position is with and located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office Abuja Nigeria (CONIG). Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer based in Abuja, the incumbent will assist 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 teaming with other colleagues of the project, including in CONIG, ROSEN and HQ, 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:

• Plans and coordinates 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.
• Takes responsibility for the monitoring of ongoing project expenditures and utilization of funds related to the assigned programmes/projects and ensures compliance with United Nations (UN) financial rules and regulations, initiate project and/or budget revisions when required.
• Provides substantive and technical inputs to the planning and facilitation of workshops, develops relevant action plans to guide the government counterparts to manage the change.
• Provide substantive and organizational coordination and liaison with relevant authorities and international partners for project activities focused on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants as well as wildlife trafficking. Coordinate and liaise regularly on project activities planning and implementation with relevant national partners (including designated focal points and other senior professionals), and regional/international partners present in Nigeria. Facilitate the smooth and effective flow of communication with national entities, by maintaining regular contact, providing required information, etc.
• Guide and supervise other project staff in following-up communication with beneficiary partners, including official letters, request for technical assistance, and the process of identifying participants and national experts, including trainers, for activities under the project.
• Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources, relevant for project implementation related to the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, as well as wildlife trafficking.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. briefing notes for senior management, background papers, sections of UN/UNODC reports such as UNODC Annual Report, etc. and ensures 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.  
• Provides inputs to policy development and research activities, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.   
• 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.
• Prepare and draft new project concepts and documents in relation to the Office’s Programme related to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants as well as wildlife trafficking in Nigeria, 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.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree) in Law, Criminology, Public Or Business Administration, Social Sciences or other related areas including Drug Control, Law Enforcement, Migration or Criminal Justice.
• A first-level University Degree in similar fields in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience (in total 9 years of work experience in the field as described below) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced University Degree.  

Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in crime prevention and criminal justice matters especially in relation to trafficking matters is required.
• At least three years progressively responsible experience in project implementation and management, preferably in an international organization, is required.
• Experience in the development and implementation of technical assistance/cooperation projects in the field of trafficking in persons and/or smuggling of migrants, wildlife trafficking, or closely related areas is required.
• Work experience in substantive liaison and coordination at national level is highly desirable. Working experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is an advantage.
• Knowledge of the UN Administrative system (UMOJA) is an advantage.

Language:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Has in-depth substantive knowledge and specialization in the field of trafficking (including human trafficking and migrant smuggling and/or wildlife trafficking).
• Has knowledge of policies and practices in international criminal justice and crime prevention, as well as the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
• Has very good legal, analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues.
• Has knowledge and experience in various research methodologies and sources. Is able to apply sound judgement in the context of assignments given.
• 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

Teamwork:

• 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 & 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.

Creativity:

• Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;
• Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”;
• Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Managerial Competencies:
Managing Performance:

• Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative;
• Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

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.