Mission and objectives

For two decades, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. We are committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats and promoting peace and sustainable well-being as deterrents to them. Because the scale of these problems is often too great for states to confront alone, UNODC offers practical assistance and encourages transnational approaches to action. We do this in all regions of the world through our global programmes and network of field offices. The Office is committed to supporting Member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its core. The 2030 Agenda clearly recognizes that the rule of law and fair, effective and humane justice systems, as well as health-oriented responses to drug use, are both enablers for and part of sustainable development.

Context

The Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 2010 as the Counter Piracy Programme (CPP), in response to United Nations Security Council resolutions calling for a concerted international response to address piracy off the Horn of Africa. Since then, its mission and mandate have expanded both thematically and geographically, covering a much wider spectrum of maritime crimes within six ocean spaces globally. With its headquarters located in Colombo, Sri Lanka, the Programme is committed to supporting Member States through its mandate to develop cooperation both at a regional and international level and build law enforcement capacity among Member States to counter serious organized crime within the maritime domain. Under its Indian Ocean East portfolio, the Programme is providing technical assistance to maritime law enforcement authorities and criminal justice actors in Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Within this context, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is looking for a UNV – Programme Support Officer (IT specialist) to be based in Sri Lanka, under the guidance and direct supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator of GMCP-IOE team, to handle IT related requirements of the IOE team.

Task Description

Under the supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator for the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), the IT Consultant will be responsible for developing and implementing a Microsoft Project Management module tailored to the specific needs of the GMCP IOE team. The consultant will work to streamline project workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and provide tools for better management of resources, timelines, and risks. The key responsibilities include: • Project Management Module Development: Design and implement a customized Microsoft Project Management module that facilitates efficient tracking of grants, milestones, timelines, and deliverables for the GMCP IOE team. • Training Coordination Tools: Develop scheduling systems to manage training initiatives, including resource allocation and participant management. Risk Management Solutions: Design features for tracking risks, managing issues, and implementing mitigation strategies across various projects. • Communication Support: Establish integrated communication tools within the module, allowing for efficient document management, collaboration, and reduction in email dependence. • Microsoft 365 Integration: Ensure full compatibility of the Project Management module with Microsoft 365 applications such as Microsoft Teams, Planner, Outlook, and SharePoint, enabling seamless data flow and task coordination. • Training and Documentation: Develop comprehensive training materials and conduct hands-on training sessions to familiarize GMCP IOE team members with the new system. Provide user documentation outlining the functionality and maintenance procedures of the module. • Pilot Testing and Ongoing Support: Oversee pilot testing of the system and remain available for any modifications or technical support after implementation. This role requires close collaboration with GMCP IOE staff to ensure that the tools developed meet the operational requirements and enhance the overall project management capabilities of the team. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD); • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. • Network and build relationships with local organizations, groups or individuals and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives.

Competencies and values

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management • Teamwork

Living conditions and remarks

Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the south coast of India. An estimated population of around 21 million people is sheltered in this multi-ethnic, multi- cultural and multi- religious country. Colombo is situated in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. The city is located on the west coast of the island, adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Bandaranaike International Airport is located 35km from Colombo and is served by the main international airlines. Sri Lanka is a tropical country with moderate temperature and high humidity all throughout the year. Average temperature in Colombo ranges between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. The island experiences two main monsoon seasons, where heavy rainfalls occur, from May to August and October to January. Rice and curry comprise the main dishes. Sri Lankan cuisine tends to be quite spicy. There are hotels and other types of accommodation options available in Colombo. Supermarkets, banking and medical facilities are present within the city. Telephone and Internet service is widely available. Phone plans and data are inexpensive; however, it should not be expected that the internet services work consistently or at a high speed. At present Sri Lanka is undergoing high inflation and an economic crisis. The public unrest and protests are common. The prices of common commodities fluctuate on a daily basis and shortages can also be experienced. Main health advisories are related COVID 19 and Dengue, which is also highly prevalent in Sri Lanka, especially after the rainy seasons. Mosquito repellent is available in all local drug stores. Sri Lanka is a unique country and UN is providing unique humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more resilience and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in challenging conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious acts insurance plan.