Programme Officer (Forensic Expert) at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is a United Nations office that was established in 1997 as the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention by combining the United Nations International Drug Control Program (UNDCP) and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division in the United Nations Office at Vienna. It is a member of the United Nations Development Group and was renamed the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2002.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Officer (Forensic Expert) - Temporary, P3

Job Opening Number: 18-Drug Control and Crime Prevent-UNODC-106955-J-Abuja (E)
Location: Abuja
Job Code Title: Drugs Control and Crime Prevention Officer

Organization Setting and Reporting

• This position is located in the Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Abuja, Nigeria.
• The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa based in Dakar, Senegal, the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator of the project “Support to ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on illicit drug trafficking, organized crime related to it and drug abuse in West Africa” based in Dakar and the substantive guidance of the Chief of the Laboratory and Scientific Section (LSS), UNODC headquarters in Vienna.
• The incumbent will also receive substantive guidance from the Law Enforcement Expert (Head of the Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Terrorism Section), based at the UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) in Dakar. Administratively, the staff member will be under the overall responsibility of CONIG.

Responsibilities
The Programme Officer (Forensic Expert) will perform the following specific duties:

• In close consultation with relevant UNODC staff at both Headquarters and the field coordinate the activities related to the enhancement of forensic science services in support of counter narcotics activities and related crime in West Africa, including aspects of basic ‘forensic intelligence’ and use of forensic information to support operations, in line with the UNODC’s Thematic Programme of Scientific and Forensic Services.
• Provide support and advice to the ECOWAS Drug Unit with regard to project/programme development, monitoring and evaluation in the area of forensic technical assistance and service delivery; provide substantive assistance also within the framework of the Drug Unit’s regular activities.
• Follow-up on activities related to project implementation conducted in collaboration with headquarters sections/units and relevant UNODC country offices, e.g. follow-up to the implementation of proficiency tests / collaborative exercises.
• Provide technical and administrative guidance to forensic activities in West Africa; provide technical assistance to forensic science service providers and their counterparts.
• Organize and facilitate national and regional training workshops, study tours, etc.
• Develop and maintain a substantive dialogue with and between national counterpart governments on project activities and expected outcomes.
• Ensure that forensic data and information are shared regularly and disseminated for use at the national, regional and international level.
• Conduct regular reporting according to the requirements of the project, including reporting to UNODC HQ and Field Office management, UNDP administration and finance and respective national counterparts.
• Coordinate and guide consultants in the region as required; participate in the recruitment of personnel required for the implementation of the project.
• Perform other work related tasks and duties in consultation with the UNODC Representative and the Chief, LSS.

Requirements
Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Forensic Sciences or a 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 an international organization, government or private sector positions related to forensics, preferably including at least two years at the international level and in areas related to drug control and crime prevention, is required.
• Practical experience in education and training activities in the forensic sciences, particularly in collaboration with relevant international organisation is desirable.
• Experience in working with United Nations programme policies, guidelines and procedures is desirable.
• Previous experience in a United Nations field office is desirable.
• Working experience in West Africa is also desirable.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the position advertised, fluency in both English and French, with proven drafting skills, is required.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment:

• Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Competencies
Professionalism:

• Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to drug control and crime prevention, specifically as relates to the forensic area.
• Has some knowledge of the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and its activities in the forensic field. Is able to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
• Is able to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations.
• Is able to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
• Is able to work independently in a multi-cultural environment.
• 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.

United Nations Considerations
According 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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Application Closing Date
11:59 p.m. (New York time); 25th November, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for an initial period of six months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Abuja is classified as a C and a family duty station.
• 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.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• 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.
• No Fee - The 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.