Project Coordinator (Prison Reform), P3 at UNODC - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Job Opening Number: 21-Drug Control and Crime Prevent-UNODC-164131-R-Abuja (E)
Job Code Title: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer
Department/Office: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Staffing Exercise: N/A

Org. Setting and Reporting

• This position is located in the Country Office of Nigeria (CONIG) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Abuja, Nigeria.
• The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer in CONIG as well as the additional technical and operational guidance of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Prison Reform) in the Justice Section (JS) at UNODC headquarters in Vienna.

Responsibilities

• Within assigned authority, the Project Coordinator (Prison Reform) will be responsible for the coordination and implementation of UNODC’s project on “Strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to ensure the safe, secure and humane custody of pre-trial detainees and sentenced prisoners in the North-Eastern Sates” (2021-23).
• The incumbent will also generate synergies for other penal and prison reform related technical assistance in Nigeria and the region.

The incumbent will perform the following specific tasks:

• Participate in the formulation, development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of project activities, including by supporting needs assessment, programming and other technical missions.
• Organize a variety of technical assistance activities aimed at strengthening prison management in Nigeria in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and other relevant international standards and norms.
• Prepare and maintain country-specific and tailored work and monitoring plans, draft related reports on project achievements at the levels of activities, outputs, outcomes and objectives in line with UNODC and donor-related reporting requirements, and prepare other written outputs, such as official correspondence, briefings and presentations.
• Provide substantive support to the development of relevant technical and training materials, tools and capacity-building packages, participate in national workshops, seminars and training courses for prison officers and other relevant stakeholders, and deliver presentations, as required, in line with UNODC’s technical guidance material on prison management and reform.
• Prepare budgets, monitor and report on the expenditures and the utilization of financial resources under the project and draft or contribute to financial progress reports, ensuring compliance with UN financial rules and regulations as well as applicable reporting requirements.
• Recruit and supervision of international and national consultants and/or other project personnel, the provision of grants to civil society organizations and the implementation of activities related to procurement and infrastructure support in full compliance with relevant UN rules and regulations.
• Establish an effective and transparent partnership with relevant parties at national level, in particular the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and other national stakeholders that are engaged in the field of prison management and reform. Identify and track follow-up actions.
• Provide support in monitoring and analyzing programme/project development and implementation. Review, prepare and/or ensure timely preparation and submission of relevant documents and reports. Identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions.
• Undertake survey initiatives, contribute to the design of data collection tools, review, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions.
• Review, monitor and analyze social, economic, legal or political developments and trends which are relevant to prison management and the treatment of (alleged) offenders at national level.
• Ensure close coordination within the project team and with partners, other technical assistance providers and the UN Country Team in the course of project implementation and maintain transparent contacts with national stakeholders and UN sister agencies, as required. Maintain close liaison and regular coordination with the donor throughout project implementation.
• Contribute to further fund-raising by preparing materials and participating in donor meetings and fund-raising missions, by building support for cost-sharing contributions from the Government, and by identifying other local funding sources for UNODC projects and activities.
• Provide guidance on strategic and operational direction and developments related to penal reform and other crime prevention and criminal justice reforms in Nigeria and neighboring countries.
• Assist in the organization and/or delivery of specialized technical services, e.g. legal advisory services, expert group meetings, training seminars, etc., in order to assist the Government of Nigeria in the ratification and/or implementation of the international conventions and other international legal instruments related to drugs, crime and terrorism prevention, as required.
• Provide substantive inputs and/or contribute to the preparation of substantive and programmatic reports to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the General Assembly (GA) and other legislative and technical bodies as well as their subsidiary bodies.
• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Requirements
Education:

• An advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Science, Economics, International Relations, Law, or related field is required.
• A first-level 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 five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice is required.
• Experience at the national and/or international level in the field of prison management, the treatment of offenders, penal reform and/or access to justice is required.
• Experience in project management and implementation is required.
• Experience in applying standards and norms in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice as related to the treatment of offenders is desirable.
• Experience in fostering the practical application of these standards at the national or international level is desirable.
• Work experience in the United Nations system and/or a similar international organization is desirable.
• Experience in delivering workshops/training courses for criminal justice officials, including prison officers, is desirable.

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 United Nations official language is an advantage.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to UNODC mandates, in particular prison management and penal reform, including corresponding practical challenges.
• Is familiar with international standards and norms applicable to prison management and access to justice, in particular the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), the UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules) and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules).
• Has knowledge of and specialization in substantive and functional areas related to the above thematic areas with very good research and analytical skills. Has proven project management skills and expertise in the implementation of technical assistance projects, preferably in the context of the United Nations or other international organizations, as well as knowledge of management processes, including but not limited to the preparation of narrative and financial project documents.
• Has sound judgment and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues and to address sensitive issues in a diplomatic manner. Has a broad understanding of the situation in developing, transitional or post-conflict countries.
• Has good training skills, including the delivery and/or organization of workshops or training courses. Is able to analyse expeditiously extensive substantive documentation and prepare comprehensive reports, summaries and policy briefs.
• 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 & 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.

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.