Associate Programme Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located within the UNODC Programme Office in Côte d’Ivoire (POCIV), Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the regional UNODC Programme Coordinator (PCCP – West and Central Africa) and the overall guidance of the Regional Representative, ROSEN. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org ResponsibilitiesThe Associate Programme Officer will support the PCCP Regional Coordinator for Africa in providing technical support to law enforcement agencies in PCCP/AIRCOP countries to fight all forms of trafficking by air, specifically on targeting / profiling of illicit cargo and suspicious passengers, threat analysis and use of secure law enforcement communication tools. The incumbent will support the needs assessments of training and equipment needs of the Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces (JAITFs); the facilitation of training courses, mentoring sessions, best-practices exchange programmes and regional specialized training events; the development of training curricula and programmes; and the identification and liaising with training providers and law enforcement experts. Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Contribute to formulating, planning, implementing and reporting on technical assistance activities at the national, sub-regional and regional level, in accordance with the PCCP/AIRCOP overall programme strategy. • Assist in the assessment of training and equipment needs at selected international airports. • Participate in and contribute to the conduct of technical assistance activities to requesting countries and undertake substantive, organizational and coordination arrangements for them. • Support the liaison with the national authorities regarding the creation of Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces (JAITFs) at the international airports covered by the project. • Assist national counterparts in the operationalisation of the JAITFs, including by overseeing the delivery of trainings/mentorships, both from the substantive and logistical perspectives. • Support the liaison with the implementing partners as well as with trainers and mentors at operational level to ensure the smooth implementation of the project, especially with regards to their technical input and the organization of training, mentoring, and joint operations. • Facilitate on-the-ground coordination between UNODC experts and other external providers of specialized assistance. • Assist in the preparation and present annual detailed work plans including estimated budget and attribution of responsibilities. • Assist in the preparation of Letters of Agreements and inter-agency Memoranda of Understanding with beneficiary countries with input from UNODC Headquarters as well as in the development of Standard Operating Procedures for the JAITFs. • Assist the Project Coordinator in planning and implementing joint operations. • Prepare presentations on substantive matters relevant for the project in the region, including for Project Steering Committees. • Contribute to briefing notes, status reports, draft research and policy papers, technical reports/studies, manuals. • Contribute to the drafting of funding proposals for donor countries and implementation reports. • Contribute to the promotion of networking between ROSEN countries, within the framework of the implementation of PCCP/AIRCOP. • Prepare relevant correspondence and follow up. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data and 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. • Document requirements and background information used for data analysis. • Perform other work-related duties, as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Has knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Has understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Has ability to develop clear objectives in accordance with agreed upon strategies. Has ability to perform analysis, modelling, and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Is able to anticipate risks and to adopt corrective measures in the course of planning and executing activities. Has ability to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Has demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. Has very good presentation and communication skills, including the ability to draft policy, studies and communications to various counterparts and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise manner. Has ability to listen to others, correctly interpreting messages from others and responding appropriately. Has ability to provide advice to governments on preventing and combating illicit trafficking and the development of adequate policies. 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. 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. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the fields of political science, international relations, criminal law, public administration or related areas 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. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional work experience at a national or international level in the field of law enforcement, border management, police investigation, prosecution, crime prevention, or control of drug trafficking is required. Experience in facilitating training and mentoring activities in fighting illicit trafficking is desirable. Working experience in a United Nations field office in a developing country is desirable. Experience in the implementation of projects in partnership with national institutions 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 and French is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment will be subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. 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. Abidjan is classified in the B 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.