Assistant Programme Officer (temporary)

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Passenger and Cargo Control Programme (PCCP), Border Management Branch (BMB), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Law Enforcement Expert (Drug Control and Crime Prevention, Deputy Head of Passenger and Cargo Control Programme) and the overall guidance of the Chief of the Border Management Branch. The PCCP supports Member States in strengthening their capacities to secure international trade and free moment of passengers while facilitating the detection and interdiction of illicit goods, as well as countering the travel of high-risk passengers. The PCCP is a flagship initiative of UNODC and operates globally to counter trafficking, smuggling, and other transnational crimes at airports, seaports, and land border crossings. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org ResponsibilitiesWithin assigned authority, the Assistant Programme Officer will be responsible for the following specific tasks: • Assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of PCCP activities in accordance with established work plans and project documents. Support the development of programme proposals, progress reports, and related documentation, in particular for European Union funding, including through the use of the Operational System (OPSYS) reporting platform and specifically within the framework of the Global Illicit Flows Programme of the EU Foreign Policy Instrument. Monitor project timelines and deliverables, including advocacy material and social media content, ensuring adherence to schedules and quality standards. Contribute to the evaluation and reporting of programme achievements and challenges, in particular for the European Union, and focusing on passenger and cargo control at international entry points. • Assist in reviewing legal documents, including Memoranda of Understanding, Letters of Agreement and funding agreements, to ensure compliance with UNODC guidelines and policies. • Assist in backstopping PCCP activities in the area of crimes that affect the environment, including wildlife, timber and waste trafficking as well as crimes in the fisheries sector (CFS). • Support in the preparation of budgets and funding requests. Liaise with administrative units to facilitate procurement, travel arrangements, and logistical support for PCCP activities implemented at HQ. • Gather and analyze data on international passenger and cargo movement trends, including risks associated with trafficking and other transnational crimes. Compile information for briefing notes, presentations, and reports to inform programme design and delivery, in cooperation with PCCP staff members, at HQ and in the field. Assist with the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Assist with maintaining communication with key stakeholders, including government and law enforcement counterparts, regional UNODC offices, and partner organizations, in particular the WCO and INTERPOL, to ensure effective coordination of PCCP activities. Support the organization of meetings, workshops, and training sessions, including drafting agendas, presentations, and meeting minutes. Draft correspondence and official documents related to programme operations and partnerships. • Assist with providing substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations. • Assist with the management and administration of PCCP project management and activity tracking tools. • Assist in preparing terms of reference for PCCP staff and international consultants/experts and identify possible candidates. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other work-related duties as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concept and approaches relevant to technical cooperation and programme/project implementation. Has knowledge of major international drug and crime control and prevention issues, as well as of the UNODC mandate and policies. Is able to deal with multiple tasks under tight deadlines and work under pressure. Has sound judgment and good analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, international relations, law, economics, public administration or related field is required. Alternatively, candidates with a first-level university degree in one of these fields may also qualify if they have at least two additional years of relevant professional experience. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professional Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (GtoP). Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceApplicants to positions at this level who have an advanced university degree in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. For applicants who have a first level university degree, two additional years of qualifying work experience is required. At least one year of progressively responsible experience in programme management or administration, specifically in the areas of passenger and cargo control, transnational crime, or international border security is desirable. Previous experience with EU-funded projects, including familiarity with EU reporting requirements and financial procedures, is desirable. Experience supporting the implementation of technical assistance initiatives related to supply chain security, passenger/cargo control and related crimes that affect the environment is desirable. Experience in integrating gender perspectives, particularly the inclusion of women in security components, into programme planning, implementation, or evaluation is desirable. Work experience with the United Nations system and/or similar international organization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish 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. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis temporary position is available for four (4) months. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station). United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, 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. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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 non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder 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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.