National Programme Officer 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: National Programme Officer

Job ID: 26684
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Duration: 1 Year with Possibility for extension
Grade: SB5
Practice Area: Crisis management / Country Management SupportCONIG

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the National Programme Officer will perform the following duties:
Programme / Project Management:

• Plan, coordinate, and oversee the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects. 
• Monitor project expenditures and ensure compliance with UN financial rules and regulations, initiate budget revisions as necessary. 
• Identify challenges and propose corrective actions to ensure timely and effective project delivery. 
• Lead or participate in field missions, providing guidance to external consultants, government officials, and other stakeholders. 
• Draft mission reports and ensure follow-up actions are implemented. 

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:

• Provide substantive and technical inputs to workshops, training sessions, and other capacity-building activities. 
• Develop action plans to guide government counterparts in implementing project activities and managing change.

Coordination and Partnership Building: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with national authorities, international partners, and other stakeholders. 
• Facilitate communication and collaboration with relevant entities to ensure smooth project implementation. 
• Supervise and guide project staff in coordinating with beneficiary partners, including the identification of participants and national experts.  

Reporting and Documentation:

• Prepare and submit timely and accurate project progress reports, including semi-annual and annual reports, donor reports, and inputs to UNODC’s Annual Report. 
• Conduct research and analyze data related to trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants. 
• Prepare analytical reports, briefing notes, and other written outputs to support decision-making and policy development. 
• Draft new project concepts and proposals to expand UNODC’s portfolio in Nigeria, aligning with the Country and Regional Programmes and UNODC’s strategic frameworks.
• The incumbent will have to perform additional tasks as required to support the achievement of UNODC’s objectives in Nigeria. 

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, Criminology, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field. 
• A first-level University Degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. 

Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in project/ programme management or administration, preferably within the area of trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants or a related field at the national, regional or international level is required; 
• A minimum of five years of work experience in field-based project/program implementation and monitoring, including drafting project proposals and submitting project progress reports is required; 
• Work experience with the United Nations or similar international organization is desirable. 
• Work experience negotiating and building partnerships for technical cooperation is an advantage. 

Language: 

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English is required for the position advertised, and knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment:

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

Core Competencies:

• Professionalism:  Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of trafficking-related issues, strong analytical skills, and the ability to apply sound judgment in complex situations. 
• Teamwork: Collaborates effectively with colleagues, values diverse perspectives, and supports team goals. 
• Planning and Organizing: Sets clear priorities, allocates resources efficiently, and adapts to changing circumstances. 

Managerial Competencies: 

• Managing Performance: Delegates effectively, monitors progress and supports staff development.
•  Judgment/Decision-Making: Gathers and analyzes information to make informed decisions, considering the impact on stakeholders and the organization. 

Application Closing Date
7th June, 2025.

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