Associate Programme Officer

Volunteering Communications & PR Legal Programme & Policy

Overview

Support implementation of Synthetic Drug Strategy activities and engage with stakeholders.

You have:

• Programme management experience and knowledge of results-based management is required.
• Knowledge of the local context of West Africa is required.
• Demonstrated experience in the area of crime prevention and criminal justice is highly desirable.
• Experience in working for the United Nations is an asset.
• Knowledge of the UN Development System and the 2030 Agenda is an advantage.
• Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills.
• Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team.
• Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, word press, and others).

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997, UNODC is mandated to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism.

Within the framework of the UNODC’s Strategic Framework for Engagement with West Africa (2024–2030) and the commitment of the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) to promoting and supporting effective responses by Member States in West Africa, it has become clear that the challenges posed by synthetic drugs requires overarching and comprehensive support which encompasses legal, technical, and policy aspects, at national, regional and international levels.

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of UNODC’s Synthetic Drug Strategy(SDS), which falls under the Laboratory and Scientific Section (LSS) through its Global Scientific and Forensic Programme, which is leading a coordinated UN-wide response to the opioid crisis, collaborating with different UN agencies and programmes and bringing existing expertise together under one umbrella providing a framework for comprehensive and integrated action to counter the threats of synthetic drugs.

Projections indicate that by 2030, the number of people using drugs will increase by 11 per cent globally and by as much as 40 per cent in Africa. This underscores a growing drug problem on the continent. The problem is exacerbated by the rising threat of synthetic drugs, including the increasing manufacture and use of methamphetamines in Eastern and Southern Africa, the non-medical use of tramadol in West and Central Africa, and the rising use of synthetic cannabinoids in the Indian Ocean States. However, there is a significant lack of data and information on synthetic drugs in West and Central Africa, which limits the current understanding of the issue and hinders the development and implementation of effective countermeasures.

In response, UNODC ROSEN aims bring a comprehensive response to the threats posed by synthetic drugs and the national and regional capacities to implement the four spheres of action of the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy:

• Multilateralism and international cooperation.

• Early warning on emerging synthetic drug threats.

• Promote science-informed health responses.

• Strengthen counternarcotic capacity and support international operations to disrupt trafficking in synthetic drugs.

To support the implementation of the Strategy, UNODC requires the services of an International UN Volunteer to assist the overall implementation of related projects by:

Within the delegated authority and under the direct supervision of the SDS Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa and the overall guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa in Senegal, or their designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will:

•Support the implementation of SDS activities, including drafting presentations, managing letters of invitation, monitoring list of participants, vetting of participants, speechwriting for key panellists, talking points, and other tasks as required under the guidance of the Regional Coordinator;

•Support the Regional Coordinator on liaise with national and regional authorities, maintaining two-way communication, to ensure beneficiaries’ needs are acknowledged and addressed, and supporting the engagement and outreach to newly identified strategically important countries in West and Central Africa.

•Draft quarterly reports for relevant donors to the SDS and provide assistance for the drafting and/or editing of other documents required from ROSEN or UNODC HQ.

•Assist all actions pertaining to the evaluation of the project’s activities to centralize and communicate critical feedback to relevant stakeholders.

•Support the Regional Coordinator in the daily tasks pertaining to project management, including updating monitoring databases, events tracking and gender breakdowns to measure progress and to meet UN objectives towards greater gender mainstreaming.

•Carry out research and assist in drafting of contextual analyses and justifications for new project proposals, under the guidance of the Regional Coordinator.

•Assist in drafting of materials to be presented at the SDS annual regional or international meetings, ensuring narrative and key figures are updated.

•Assist the organization of meetings with donors and support the development of fundraising strategies.

•Provide translation services on an ad-hoc basis for operational meetings. •Translate and edit SDS presentations and communication materials from and to French and English, as needed.

•Assist with outreach and advocacy activities and support the implementation of the broader SDS with other tasks as needed, under the guidance of the Regional Coordinator.

•Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

•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 International Volunteer Day).

•Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.

•Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.

• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.

•Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.

•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.

•Accountability

•Adaptability and flexibility

•Creativity

•Judgement and decision-making

•Planning and organising

•Professionalism

•Self-management

•Programme management experience and knowledge of results-based management is required.

•Knowledge of the local context of West Africa is required.

•Demonstrated experience in the area of crime prevention and criminal justice is highly desirable.

•Experience in working for the United Nations is an asset.

•Knowledge of the UN Development System and the 2030 Agenda is an advantage.

•Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others.

•Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills.

•Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team.

•Flexible and open to learning and new experiences.

•Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions.

•Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

•Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, word press, and others).

The assignment will take place in the nation’s capital, Dakar, a family duty station (Hardship classification A) with missions to the region. Dakar is a liveable city. The spontaneous reception and hospitality of the Senegalese are among the characteristic features of this West African country. The living conditions in Dakar are good, as well as the access to health services. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory; vaccination cards should be presented at the entrance. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also recommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific prescription drugs.
According to official estimates from ANSD/RGPHAE 2023, the Dakar metropolitan area population reaches over 3,9 million. The total population of Senegal is 18,032,473 inhabitants (ANSD 2023). Senegal is located on UTC/ GMT. Senegal has a warm climate and sunny days throughout the year that make it a comfortable duty station. Daytime temperatures are, on average, around 30°C. The rainy season is in the northern hemisphere’s summer/fall.
The currency used in Senegal is called Franc CFA (XOF). On 1st January 2024, the average exchange rate is 1 USD = 602,577 XOF. Many hotels, restaurants and businesses in Senegal accept the leading international credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). It is also possible to withdraw cash from automatic telling machines found in all the major cities. The accommodation facilities are in general good, and the choice is vast. Renting unfurnished and furnished accommodations from 450 to 2000 USD is possible. UN Volunteers can also co-rent and share private concessions, which must comply with Minimum Operating Residential Security Standards (MORSS). Local taxis can easily arrange Transportation in town. A valid passport is required to enter Senegal. ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) nationals are not required to have an entry visa. Citizens of other countries may be required for an entry or long-stay visa. They should contact the closest Senegalese representation. Senegalese Embassies and consulates in various West African countries and other parts of the world issue visas before travel.

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Potential interview questions

Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: unv.org