Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Programme Office in Benin (POBEN), Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), Division for Operations (DO) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Cotonou, Benin. The incumbent works under the overall supervision of the UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), and under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer (Terrorism Prevention), Team Leader of the Counter-Terrorism Unit (ROSEN) and technical guidance of the Chief of Section, Implementation Support Section (ISS) II, Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

As a programme team member, the incumbent provides specialized substantive expertise for the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the UNODC technical assistance programme initiatives for West African countries, including West Africa coastal countries, which seek to assist Member States to strengthen rule of law-based criminal justice responses to terrorism. Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for undertaking the following duties/tasks: • Provide specialized expertise for designing and implementing training activities in West and Central Africa, including Benin and fellow West Africa coastal countries namely Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Senegal, focusing on identified CT priority areas of intervention that includes also Countering Improvised Explosive Devices (C-IEDs), Countering the financing of terrorism, regional judicial and police cooperation and other criminal justice aspects for ensuring rule of law-based and human rights-compliant investigation and prosecution of terrorism-related cases in the partner countries. • Assist in assessing capacity building needs of concerned national entities; conceptualize, design and carry out training workshops and other relevant initiatives for prosecutorial/adjudicator capacity building and enhancing collaborative investigation, prosecution and adjudication on identified CT priority topics; provide on-going advisory services to national authorities on related matters. • Provide substantive expertise for and participate in conceptualization, design, implementation and evaluation of overall programme initiatives aimed at strengthening criminal justice responses to terrorism in the West and Central Africa region. • Undertake missions to the West Africa coastal countries and other countries in the region, and prepare and participate in national expert workshops, subregional/ regional workshops and conduct training activities, as determined. • Provide expert inputs for the preparation of technical assistance tools, substantive publications and training materials pertaining to rule of law-based criminal justice responses to terrorism. • Contribute to and participate in programme development and funds mobilization in West and Central African countries, including on-going refinement, coordination and management; contribute to programme implementation reporting; contribute to programme partnership building. • Prepare/draft a variety of written substantive outputs, such as background papers, correspondence with governments, working papers, analyses, briefings, presentations, policy proposals and documents, regular and ad hoc reports, summary reports etc. • Prepare/draft a variety of programme or project documents and reports at the Unit and Office level, such as progress reports, work plans, programme budget, programme performance reports, etc. • Monitor financial resources allocated to assigned project component; monitor expenditures and funds utilization. • Liaise with national authorities, donors, international and regional organizations to ensure coordination and fundraising, in close coordination with the Head of the Counter-Terrorism Unit. • Assist in the recruitment of personnel for the Unit by coordinating/conducting panel interviews, by evaluating candidates’ applications and qualifications, by drafting/finalizing substantive recommendations and reports for submission to the Human Resources Management Service (HRMS) and/or Central Review bodies, by drafting terms of reference/job descriptions, etc. • 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. • Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches, policies and practices in terrorism prevention and criminal justice. Has broad knowledge of overall crime prevention and criminal justice issues. Has knowledge of the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and of the major initiatives of the international community in terrorism prevention. Has demonstrated expertise for planning and implementing technical assistance activities and related project management. Has sound analytical skills and ability to identify problems and contributes to problem-solving. Has good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Is able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignment given. 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. 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 the audience; and demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in criminal law, international law, political science, international relations or a related area 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 United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in providing technical assistance and managing related projects in criminal justice matters, particularly in counter-terrorism, 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 the design and delivery of capacity-building initiatives in the field of terrorism prevention, criminal justice or organized crime is desirable. Work Experience in organizing meetings, conferences, seminars etc., including their substantive, logistic and administrative aspects is desirable. Relevant work experience with counterparts in countries in West Africa is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and French 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 position is temporarily available for a period of 3 months with a possibility of extension. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will 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. • Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. • 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. • 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. • Cotonou is classified in the B 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.