UNODC is the main UN agency in the fight against illicit drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism in virtue of the UN Conventions and related universal instruments. In particular, within the UN system, UNODC possesses significant comparative advantages for offering a comprehensive response to transnational organized crime including maritime crime. It combines a range of expertise in the related areas of crime prevention and criminal justice, rule of law, drug control, money-laundering, corruption and related international cooperation in criminal matters with operational field-level capacity.

The UNODC Regional Office for South Asia (UNODC ROSA) delivers technical assistance under its flagship project, the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) since 2009. UNODC GMCP has been assisting states in strengthening their capacity to combat maritime crime, which includes ensuring effective responses and delivering technical assistance to counter serious and organized crime, as well as strengthening criminal justice systems and promoting human rights compliance and the rule of law. Its sub-programme, the Indian Ocean East (IOE) team works with coastal states of the Indian Ocean in South Asia to enhance and coordinate their efforts to effectively respond to maritime crimes affecting the waters of Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka. GMCP IOE’s mission is to support the criminal justice systems of Indian Ocean littoral states to prevent, disrupt and counter maritime crime by strengthening their capacity to better identify, detect and prosecute maritime offences. Its key function is to support Member States in developing their national maritime law enforcement capacities to combat maritime threats specific to their region, and ensuring efforts are regionally coordinated.

In this context, UNODC is providing technical assistance to the Government of Bangladesh to strengthen the response to various maritime and riverine crimes, through delivery of capacity building programmes to relevant maritime and riverine law enforcement agencies, provision of specialized equipment to strengthen operations, conduct of research and promotion of interagency and regional cooperation.

In order to implement the mentioned programme activities, UNODC wishes to engage a National Programme Specialist in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The incumbent will work in direct coordination with GMCP Programme Officer, based in Dhaka, under the supervision of GMCP Programme Coordinator for Indian Ocean East, based in Colombo. Overall supervision and guidance will be provided by the Head of the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme and UNODC Regional Representative for South Asia.

1.    Level of responsibility/accountability. The incumbent will be supporting UNODC GMCP project implementation in Bangladesh, as well as supervising the overall operational aspect of the UNODC GMCP activities in Bangladesh.

2.    Internal/External focus of the job. The incumbent will be responsible of establishing and keeping close communication with various government agencies, including but not limited to the Maritime Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and the underlying agencies including Bangladesh Coast Guard, Bangladesh River Police, Department of Narcotics Control, as well as the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, as well as coordinating activities with other UN agencies and international and national development partners in Bangladesh.

1. Function / Expected Results: In order to ensure a successful support on the implementation of the UNODC GMCP activities in Bangladesh, the incumbent will be required to:

•     Support the facilitation of the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, including national counterparts, including but not limited to, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary affairs; Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock; and the relevant affiliated institutions.
•     Support the monitoring and analysing aspects of programme/project development and implementation.
•     Assist in identifying problems and issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions.
•     Provide substantive and technical support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends, participation in evaluations or research activities and studies.
•     Provide administrative support in developing, implementing and delivering training for UNODC partners in the Bangladesh and the wider region, if required, as well as coordinating participation and logistical arrangements of training participants.
•     Provide other relevant work-related support and assistance, including substantive inputs, to other UNODC initiatives in Bangladesh and in the region as required.

2. Function / Expected Results: In order to ensure extensive liaison and communication with the national counterparts, including government institutions and donors, the incumbent will be required to:

•     Provide substantive and technical support and input to internal and external communication of the Indian Ocean East Team in terms of presenting and publishing communication on delivered activities, liaising with external partners on implementation of activities, as well as managing communication internally within the team.
•     Establish and maintain partnerships with government institutions and other national counterparts/stakeholders for effective and sustainable project design, planning, implementation and evaluation.

3. Function / Expected Results: In order to ensure effective supervision of international and national consultants/experts, the incumbent will be required to:

•     Support basic research on selected local aspects of programmes, operations and other activities, etc., to include collecting, analysing and presenting data and other information gathered from diverse sources, to support and complement experts’ inputs.
•     Draft, review and submit Terms of Reference for the recruitment of national and international consultants in line with approved workplans.
•     Provide translation, proofreading and quality assurance of relevant documents, as required.

4. Function / Expected Results: In order to ensure substantive support to the organization of training activities, workshops, national and regional meetings, the incumbent will be required to:

•     Liaise and work alongside Admin and Finance Associate(s)/Officer(s) for the effective planning and execution of capacity building programmes in Bangladesh.
•     Provide administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include assistance with proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc.
•     Participate in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc. for the successful delivery of projects’ activities.

5. Function / Expected Results: In order to support strategic partnerships and the implementation of resource mobilization for programme development, the incumbent will be required to:

•     Support activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work plan, programme budget, etc.).
•     Prepare briefs and/or concept notes on possible areas of cooperation and follow up with Dhaka-based stakeholders on the timely receipt of project proposals.

IV. Impact of Results

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

Counterparts, officials and relevant technical staff in governments, regional and international organizations, including FAO and IOM, other UN agencies, embassies, civil society/non-governmental organizations, donor countries as well as technical and administrative staff of UNODC.

Results expected:

•     Ensures fluid and constant communication with United Nations staff, national counterparts and other external stakeholders in Bangladesh.
•     Provides reliable coordination of programme/project planning and preparation activities and general office support services in Bangladesh.
•     Processes work and necessary follow-up under minimal supervision, seeking advice from and/or reporting to supervisor as required.
•     Accurately prepares necessary written outputs for successful project planning, implementation and/or evaluation as required.
•     Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines and procedures.

•     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.

•     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.

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.

Experience:    •     A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in project/programme management or administration within the area of rule of law and criminal justice at national or/and regional level is required.
•     Work experience in the field of criminal justice, law enforcement, maritime security and/or maritime affairs is required.
•     Work experience communicating, liaising and/or dealing with government institutions to plan, organize and/or coordinate capacity building initiatives (workshops, training programmes, conferences, etc.) is required.
•     Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches of the relevant aspects in maritime crime and maritime security in the Indian Ocean is highly desirable.
•     Work experience and/or meaningful interaction with South Asian countries for project/programme implementation is desirable.
•     Knowledge of policies and practices on maritime crime and transnational organized crime, as well as in the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is desirable.
•     Working experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is an asset.

Language Requirements:    •     Fluency in English, i.e., oral and written proficiency, is required. Proficiency in Bangla/Bengali is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.