Programme Officer (Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime) at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the Representative, ROEA and the direct supervision of the Regional Coordinator of the Global Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime (WLFC).

For more information on UNODC, please visit our website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Programme Officer, Compating Wildlife and Forest Crime (WLFC) will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Provide substantive and technical support, coordination and guidance for the development and implementation of activities on wildlife, forest and fisheries crime (WLFC) in Eastern and Southern Africa under the UNODC Global Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime.
• Support, coordinate and monitor project implementation and activities in Eastern and Southern Africa.
• Coordinate and liaise with Government counterparts, donors and other stakeholders for the implementation of anti-corruption projects related to WLFC in Eastern and Southern Africa regions, including: support and coordinate the undertaking of corruption risk assessments with national counterparts, development and implementation of anti-corruption risk mitigation strategies, and ensure regular follow up on the implementation of the anti-corruption risk mitigation strategies; identify technical assistance needs for capacity building and propose a sustainable strategy to address the needs for advancing the objectives of the Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime.
• Design project document and revisions, ensure timely project reviews, revisions, monitoring and completion of related reporting obligations, and design work plans for the timely achievement of the project objectives and support tracking financial expenditures and ensuring funding variance analysis.
• Guide, coordinate and support the efforts and contributions of consultants, project personnel, donors, institutions and counterparts in the region towards the achievement of project objectives.
• Manage and contribute to the preparation of resource guides, tools, advocacy and information materials in support of the Global WLFC Programme, disseminate the materials as appropriate.
• Organize and support training courses, seminars, working groups, workshops, surveys and study tours, ensure timely selection of candidates and submission of reports from participants upon completion of the related activities.
• Provide support in monitoring the progress of project implementation, plan, coordinate and solve operational issues, prepare budget revisions and prepare reports on programme implementation for the Coordinator, the UNODC ROEA Representative, and other senior officials of ROEA and UNODC headquarters; and monitor progress towards impact of the Programme, support the monitoring and evaluation of the programme in the region, including tracking and the progress against set indicators.
• Enhance the collaboration with other international, bi-lateral and non-governmental organizations active in the area of combatting WLFC in the region.
• Perform other work-related duties as required

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of concepts, practices and approaches relevant to areas related to drug and crime, especially combating wildlife and forest crime. Has knowledge of policies and practices in international drug control and crime prevention, as well as the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has knowledge of and specialization in substantive and functional areas with very good research and analytical skills. Has ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. 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.
• 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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political sciences, international relations, law, business administration, economics, public administration or 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 of five years of professional work experience in the area of law enforcement, criminal justice or anti-corruption is required.
• Work experience with technical assistance activities and experience in project development is required.
• Working experience in a field environment is required.
• Experience in areas related to the rule of law, wildlife and forest crime, environmental crime is desirable.
• Work experience within the United Nations system or a 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 is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an asset.

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.

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. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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.

Nairobi 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.

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.