Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (International Cooperation) at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) in Nairobi, Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the UNODC Representative of ROEA and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer heading the Programme “Countering Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Illicit Drug Trafficking”. S/he will work in close cooperation and coordination with the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants), the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Law Enforcement Expert) and in coordination with the Organized Crime Branch (OCB) as well as the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East (RSAME) at UNODC headquarters in Vienna.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (International Cooperation) will perform the following duties:

• Participate in the development and implementation of programme activities with a specific focus on countering Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking, including Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, through international cooperation in criminal matters by providing substantive and technical expertise and by identifying technical assistance needs for capacity building.
• Plan, implement, manage, and monitor programme activities, in close coordination with counterparts, donors and other stakeholders, based on best practices, including UNODC manuals, handbooks, guides, and standards and norms.
• Identify technical assistance and capacity building needs in the region and assist in the development and implementation of programme activities. Identify technical assistance strategies of donors active in anti-human trafficking and smuggling of migrants and prepare project proposals for funding consideration by interested donors. Coordinate activities with intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations which are active in Eastern Africa.
• Provide specialized substantive expertise on criminal justice issues, especially in the areas of international cooperation in criminal matters related to Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking, including Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, in Eastern Africa and contribute to the implementation, monitoring and substantive refinement and assessment of programme activities, as well as conduct regional and national capacity-building training workshops targeting criminal justice actors, victim service providers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Support the development of improved and evidence-based qualitative information on international cooperation in criminal matters, Trafficking in Persons, victims of trafficking, Smuggling of Migrants, the organized crime groups and networks involved, modus operandi employed, criminal justice responses made and the application of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime, its supplementing Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, and Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, through providing key technical and managerial inputs required for the projects.
• Assist with monitoring and managing programme budgets and all related administrative issues and report periodically and on an ongoing basis within UNODC on the implementation status and delivery of the project.
• Work closely with other organizational entities of UNODC on the identification of funding needs, priorities and sources. Guide and manage the preparation of materials and participate in donor meetings and fund-raising missions and activities, as required.
• Participate in technical missions to assess needs, evaluate capabilities and elaborate recommendations or assistance proposals relating to international cooperation in criminal matters and to strengthening central authorities, organized and serious crime.
• Identify new issues and areas for programme development and draft programme concept notes and ideas and programme documents, as required.
• Participate in the recruitment of and supervise the work of national project staff and consultants. Assess consultancy needs and prepare background work for hiring of consultants.
• Coordinate and integrate various judicial cooperation networks with other activities on international cooperation undertaken by UNODC.
• Prepare briefing papers and presentations concerning the work of UNODC for the Executive Director, managers, donors and others as required.
• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has good knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the control and prevention of crime, drug and/or terrorism related issues. Has thorough knowledge of UNODC mandates and policies, major international challenges, and policies and practices in the area of international cooperation in criminal matters related countering organized crime, illicit trafficking, money laundering and terrorism prevention. Is able to demonstrate good research, analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for ensuring appropriate attention to both gender balance and geographic representation in staffing and to incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• 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.
• 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political or social science, criminal justice, 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.

Work Experience

• A minimum five years of progressively responsible professional experience in crime prevention and criminal justice matters is required.
• Experience in project management/administration dealing with the areas of crime prevention/ anti-corruption/terrorism prevention is required.
• Experience in the provision of training or teaching and the organization of training activities is required.
• Experience working in a national criminal justice system as a prosecutor, investigating magistrate or judge is desirable.
• Working or living experience in a field environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of French is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff.

Nairobi is classified a B and a 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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.