Openings at United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

The Associate Programme Officer will work under the overall guidance of the Chief, Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section and the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator of GLOK32 - Partnerships for Treatment and Care of Drug Use Disorders – including the UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care and of the relevant UNODC Representative.

In addition, the work will be carried out in close coordination and relevant Regional Sections and other substantive units at UNODC headquarters Vienna, as well as other relevant field offices.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific tasks that might pertain at the global and/or the relevant national/regional levels and that relate to the thematic areas of work of the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (drug prevention, drug treatment/rehabilitation and access to controlled medicines), with a particular emphasis on the treatment, care and rehabilitation of drug use disorders:

• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; review relevant documents and reports; liaise with relevant parties; ensure follow-up actions;
• Carry out arrangements for the assigned programmes/projects, including preparation of funding requests and briefs, project progress and implementation reports; liaise with regional, national and donor authorities, United Nations agencies and other international and regional organizations;
• Support UNODC efforts to advocate for the recognition of drug use disorders as health-related conditions and the need for evidence-based drug prevention and treatment strategies at global, regional and country levels;
• Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, briefing notes, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provide administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, workshops, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposing participants, preparing background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc.
• Support field missions including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc.
• Provide, as appropriate, technical advice to UNODC Field Offices on country and regional programmes;
• Perform consulting assignments for programming in consultation with relevant UNODC field offices and in collaboration with the relevant governmental counterparts;
• Contribute to activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.);
• Engage with trainers, experts, computer specialists, consultants and other resource persons in their preparations for, and participation in project activities;
• Act as an alternate resource person and /or moderator in workshops, seminars, training courses and meetings;
• Perform other work related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to drug demand reduction, particularly drug dependence treatment and care. Has ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in their resolution. Possesses conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Has ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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 a relevant health (medicine, psychology, addiction medicine, epidemiology, public health) or a social/developmental (development studies, international development/relations, social science, education) 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 Young Professionals Programme Examination/United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Work Experience

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional work experience in project or programme support and development, management, monitoring or related area, or the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP) / United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required.
• Experience in the field of drug demand reduction, especially in drug dependence treatment and care, is required.
• Experience in organizing workshops, conferences, capacity building trainings and other events is desirable.
• Work experience in the United Nations system or a similar international organization is desirable.
• Work experience in a field environment is desirable.

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The Programme Officer will work under the overall guidance of the Chief, Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section and the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator of GLOK32 - Partnerships for Treatment and Care of Drug Use Disorders – including the UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care and of the relevant UNODC Representative.

In addition, the work will be carried out in close coordination and relevant Regional Sections and other substantive units at UNODC headquarters Vienna, as well as other relevant field offices.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific tasks that might pertain at the global and/or the relevant national/regional levels and that relate to the thematic areas of work of the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (drug prevention, drug treatment and access to controlled medicines), with a particular emphasis on the treatment, care and rehabilitation of drug use disorders:

• Develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes / projects; monitor and analyze the project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; ensure follow-up actions;
• Carry out general and administrative arrangements for the assigned programmes / projects, including preparation of funding requests and briefs, project progress and implementation delivery rate reports; liaise with regional, national and donor authorities, United Nations agencies and other international and regional organizations;
• Perform assignments for substantive/technical programming on demand reduction and especially treatment of drug use disorders in consultation with the relevant UNODC field representatives and in collaboration with the relevant UNODC substantive section and the relevant governmental counterparts.
• Support initiatives to summarize and disseminate scientific evidence.
• Provide and coordinate the provision of technical advice to UNODC Field Offices on country and regional programmes.
• Research, analyze and report on data gathered through the Annual Reports Questionnaire and other diverse sources, as it pertains to responses of Member States, and support the substantive servicing of the governing bodies of UNODC;
• Support the adaptation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes;
• Coordinate policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.;
• Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.;
• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Lead and/or participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.;
• Coordinate activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.);
• Advise trainers, experts, computer specialists, consultants and other resource persons in their preparations for, and participation in project activities;
• Act as a resource person and /or moderator in workshops, seminars, training courses and meetings;
• Perform other work related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to drug demand reduction, particularly drug dependence treatment and care. Has ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in their resolution. Possesses conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Has ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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 medicine, psychology, social sciences, public health, education or 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.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in project or programme development, management, administration or related area is required.
• Work experience in the field of drug demand reduction, especially in drug dependence treatment and care is required.
• Working experience in the United Nations system or a similar international organization is desirable.