Associate Research Officer (Programme Development and Coordination) - Temporary

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), Division for Operations (DO) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Dakar, Senegal. The Associate Research Officer (Programme Development and Coordination) will report to the Research Officer heading the Research and Awareness team at ROSEN, with overall guidance from the UNODC Regional Representative, ROSEN. The post involves frequent research missions, including in remote border areas, across West and Central Africa. For more information on UNODC, please visit the website www.unodc.org. ResponsibilitiesWithin assigned authority, the Associate Research Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Participate in the planning, organization, coordination and delivery of research programmes, by assisting in the preparation of programme documents, including budgets and concept notes, and preparing, coordinating and delivering activities with colleagues, in addition to following up on actions. • Coordinate the development, implementation and monitoring of specific programmes and projects, contribute to the development of mechanisms for monitoring programme implementation and produce project reports, including for donors. • Conduct research on selected aspects of critical areas of concern related to drugs and crime, including trafficking in medical products, trafficking in drugs, smuggling of migrants, crimes in the fisheries and mining sectors, and terrorism in West and Central Africa. • 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. • Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications and support the proofreading, translation and formatting of outputs, by liaising with service providers. • Develop and maintain reference/resource information on specific topics, policy-related issues, recent developments and trends in the field, including through the creation and management of databases and other information retrieval systems. • Liaise with member-states, NGOs, researchers and other contacts to obtain and provide data and information; respond to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally. • Participate in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc. • Provide administrative and substantive support to expert group meetings, panel discussions, conferences and other capacity building activities, by proposing agenda topics, researching and proposing experts, handling logistics, and delivering presentations. • Maintain awareness of political developments related to drugs, crime and terrorism that are relevant for the region, while ensuring gender is mainstreamed into the research and current trends relating to drugs, crime and terrorism in West and Central Africa. • Participate in the recruitment and selection of project personnel and guide UNVs and interns in their work. • Perform a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit's services. • Undertake on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. • Perform other work-related duties as required. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Has good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Has proven advanced drafting and analytical report writing skills, especially related to organized crime and terrorism. Is able to identify key issues, opportunities and risks, and to analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems with demonstrated diplomatic skills. Is able to apply good judgment in the context of the assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 quality 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. 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. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in political science, economics, law, social sciences, criminology or related fields 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. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P). Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional work experience in drugs and crime research or related area OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required. Work experience in project coordination and programme development is desirable. Work experience in supporting member states in the Global South in producing, collecting and analyzing drugs and crime data is desirable. Work experience in collecting drugs and crime data and conducting quantitative analysis with large and complex datasets is desirable. Work experience in conducting research in the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Work experience in at least two of the following specific areas is desirable: organized crime, terrorism, trafficking in medical products, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, drug use, crimes in the fisheries and mining sector, crimes that affect the environment, homicide/femicide, and corruption. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience in producing or contributing to research reports is desirable. If you have such experience, please list the relevant publications. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. Either Spanish or Portuguese or Arabic is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).