Head of Programme - Countering Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Illicit Drug Trafficking, P4 at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Responsibilities

The incumbent will coordinate the implementation of the Programme on “Countering Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Illicit Drug Trafficking”, which is aimed at enhancing the capacity of Member States in the region to respond effectively to transnational organized crime. This entails the provision of ongoing policy advice and technical guidance to Governments and regional authorities in the field of preventing and countering organized crime, including illicit trafficking of drugs, firearms and natural resources, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, as well as border management, border security and support to reform processes to improve the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of related offences. Within delegated authority, the Programme Management Officer (Head of Programme - Countering Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Illicit Drug Trafficking) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of the Programme on “Countering Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Illicit Drug Trafficking” of the Regional Programme.
• Develop and formulate relevant programmes on preventing and countering illicit drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, trafficking of firearms and natural resources, and other organized crime, including border management and border security.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of the Programme staff to ensure effective implementation and management of the projects that fall under the Programme; ensure synergy with other programmes in ROEA, contribute and ensure coordination among the relevant personnel and units at ROEA and UNODC Headquarters (HQ) in particular with regard to the administrative set up of the activities, recruitment of staff and consultants, subcontracting of services and financial monitoring and reporting.
• Ensure regular communication with all stakeholders, and ensure that reporting obligations and other obligations towards the donors and other stakeholders are fulfilled in a timely manner.
• Monitor national and regional situations and support the development of improved evidence-based knowledge on the status and characteristics of organized crime, illicit drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, trafficking in persons, natural resources, border management, border security and other areas by providing analysis on major trends and modus operandi of transnational criminal networks throughout the region.
• Prepare and draft a variety of written outputs, such as background papers, progress reports, evaluation reports, mission reports, briefings and presentations.
• Conduct assessments of ongoing law enforcement measures and national and regional capabilities and suggest strategies and actions for their improvement, including measures to prevent and counter the infiltration of transnational criminal networks in Eastern Africa.
• Provide policy advice and technical guidance to Governments and regional authorities in the field of preventing and countering organized crime and illicit trafficking (of drugs, trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, firearms and natural resources, border management, border security). Maintain contact on law enforcement issues with international bodies and organizations and work closely with liaison officers and donor representatives in charge of law enforcement matters in Africa. Actively pursue the identification of funding possibilities for the above-described UNODC programme areas in Eastern Africa.
• Represent UNODC in major meetings and conferences in the region related to transnational organized crime issues.
• 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.
• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to crime, organized crime, drug trafficking, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, money laundering, security sector reform, victim assistance and witness protection, as well as UNODC mandates. Has good knowledge of major international challenges, policies and practices related to the prevention and countering of illicit drug trafficking, organized crime, money laundering, terrorism, migrant smuggling, trafficking in persons. Demonstrates good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has excellent drafting and communications skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the 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.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, management, political or social science, international relations or related fields of criminal justice, crime prevention and law enforcement, 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 of seven years of professional, progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, police reform, security sector, crime prevention and criminal justice matters is required.
• Work experience in working to combat trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants is required
• Work experience in technical cooperation programme planning and management is required
• Work experience in a criminal justice system and/or law enforcement at senior level is desirable.
• Work experience in a field environment Africa is desirable
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.