Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (POSAU), with duty station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council Region (OGCCR), Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East (RSAME) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer reports to the Representative for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

The focus of this position is primarily to provide expertise and technical support in the relevant thematic areas of UNODC’s mandate for the implementation of the partnership framework with the Interregional Centre of Excellence for Evidence-Based Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Policies and Strategies established by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) in Riyadh. The position will also substantively backstop the overall implementation of the ExCom-endorsed Strategic Partnership with the GCC Countries. Within the assigned authority, the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties: Programme development, implementation and evaluation: • Plan, organize, coordinate and carry out the ongoing review, monitoring and analysis of social, economic and political developments and trends at the national (Saudi Arabia), regional (GCC and broader Middle East and North Africa) and/or global levels; prepare, review, and update integrated programming documentation in relation to the partnership framework with the Interregional Centre of Excellence for Evidence-Based Drug Control, Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Policies and Strategies as well as the UNODC Strategic Partnership with the GCC Countries at large. • Coordinate, organize and provide substantive input to the formulation and development of technical cooperation programmes, projects and activities. • Establish, prepare and disseminate project work plans, budgets, terms of references and other related project documentation. • Develop, implement and support the evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; ensure follow-up actions. • Prepare or ensure the timely preparation and submission of programme/project progress, evaluation reports etc.. • Provide regular reports to UNODC and relevant stakeholders on advancement of work, project implementation status and results. • Monitor financial resources and supervise project budget, expenditures and utilization of funds related to the assigned programme/project ensuring compliance with UN financial rules and regulations; coordinate inputs to OGCCR-led project revisions and ensure the timely submission of budgetary documentation and reports. • Prepare inputs for performance parameters and indicators, programme performance reports as well as inputs for result-based budgeting and results-based management. • Provides backstopping and advice on technical, substantive and administrative issues within the assigned technical assistance activities, programmes and projects. • Lead and/or participate in large field missions including assessment missions and conduct technical survey visits to project sites in order to assess needs, manage implementation and assess the efficiency of resources used. • Coordinate, participate and carry out periodic assessments of the programme performance of UNODC OGCCR; organize and/or participate in the tripartite reviews and evaluations of ongoing and/or completed programme and projects; prepare, review and assess reports on the status of programme implementation. • Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Mentoring/Advisory services: • Provide technical advice, assistance and substantive guidance and mentorship to counterparts on relevant matters and on short- and mid-term measures, strategies, capacity-building programmes etc.. • Assess and review national capacities as requested by government institutions and other agents/agencies and advise counterparts on good practices in their areas of competence and fields of intervention. • Provide advice and assistance to governmental and other institutions in building national capacities for enhanced policy and programmatic development, in developing effective strategies, in reviewing and adapting national/regional policy, coordination and implementation plans. • Provide substantive support in identifying and building synergies between actions of the programme/project and other national, regional or international initiatives in the substantive area and relevant fields. • Attend policy-making and expert group meetings to monitor, analyze and advise on substantive issues related to specialized technical areas; participate as a resource person in technical working groups, inter-agency task forces, advocacy meetings, round-tables, workshops and other relevant meetings. Legal support: • Review legislation, carry out legal research and analysis for use at the policy level and prepares legal documentation. • Provide specialized legal advice/support and technical input on complex legal issues/aspects. advise and interact with government counterparts on issues related to legislation. • Monitor and promote governments’ implementation of and compliance with the provisions of specific conventions including reviewing national legislation and identifying gaps between national law and international standards required by treaties and conventions. • Provide assistance in the formulation and drafting of relevant law and legal provisions necessary for governments to comply with international standards. Research and data collection activities: • Lead, coordinate, provide expertise and monitor the implementation of research programmes, data collection activities, regional/country studies and threat assessments. • Review and finalize research outputs, including texts, graphs and maps; review specific surveys and data monitoring systems. • Manage and/or coordinate the development of relevant data bases, web-publishing tools and other software for collection, storage and distribution of statistical or other data. Training and capacity-building: • Provide substantive and technical expertise, advice, support and coordination with regard to the development and delivery of specialized training at interregional, regional and national levels and other capacity-building activities to counterparts and relevant actors. • Design training curricula in collaboration with beneficiaries and clients. • Develop relevant technical and training materials, tools and capacity-building packages; design, prepare and/or coordinate the preparation of standardized training materials and manuals, promote their use and application by respective target groups. Other related tasks: • Contribute to mobilizing policy and funding support for the implementation of the UNODC Strategic Partnership with the GCC Countries, including extra-budgetary voluntary contributions and building support for cost-sharing contributions from governments and identifying other funding sources for UNODC projects and activities. • Establish and maintain solid partnerships with counterparts in the GCC region, undertake negotiations and consultations and liaise on substantive issues with counterparts in the UN and UNODC, both at HQs and in the field, as well as Member States, donors, international organizations and institutions, entities, governments and representations, inter-governmental organizations, private sector, non-governmental organizations, media representatives, civil society and other stakeholders; develop synergy, promote and facilitate operational partnerships and collaborative undertakings. • Promote a better understanding of UNODC mandates, programmes and Strategic Partnership with the GCC Countries, encourage increased priority attention to all mandates and advocate the inclusion of these issues in government planning documents as well as in relevant programmes of other bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental organizations. • Review and appraise best practices and programmes from the GCC region, promote them among Member States in the region and beyond, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and civil society in general; pilot-test promising practices; summarize experience from pilot projects. • Organize and prepare a variety of written outputs such as reports to governing bodies, background papers, correspondence with counterparts, reports, working documents, mission reports, analyses, briefings, presentations, enforcement strategies, policy proposals and documents, studies and summary reports. • Support OGCCR senior management in overall programme and office management tasks/responses as assigned by the Representative for the GCC Region. • As required, supervise programme staff, national and international consultants and experts, associate experts and interns in their work; guide trainers, consultants, resource personnel, officials and experts in their preparations for participation in project activities; participate in the recruitment of international and local staff. • Support and contribute to initiatives of the UN Country Team in Saudi Arabia as assigned to him/her by the Representative for the GCC Region. • Perform other work-related duties as required by the Representative for the GCC Region.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to UNODC mandates. Has knowledge of policies and practices in international drug control, crime and terrorism prevention as well as the mandates of UNODC. Has knowledge of and specialization in substantive and functional areas with very good research and analytical skills. Has ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Has ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Has ability to apply judgment in the context of 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 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, criminal law, political science, international relations 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in the fields of drug control, crime prevention and/or criminal justice matters is required. Work experience in technical assistance activities, including project management as well as provision of capacity-building and legislative and/or policy advice is required. Work experience at the international level is required. Work experience with counterparts in the field is desirable. Experience in relation to data analytics and research or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This temporary position is currently available for a period of six 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 of 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. Riyadh is classified in the A category (family duty station).

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, 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 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.