Associate Programme Officer (Technical Coordination, Chemical Disposal Latin America and the Caribbean)

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Regional Office for the Andean Region and the Southern Cone in Colombia (ROCOL), Division of Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Colombia. The Associate Programme Officer (Technical Coordination, Chemical Disposal Latin America and the Caribbean) will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative and the direct supervision of the Programme Officer in Colombia, and the Regional Project Coordinator (Chemical Disposal Latin America and the Caribbean) will act as an additional reporting officer. The incumbent will work in close cooperation and the substantive guidance of the Laboratory and Scientific Service (LSS), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA) at headquarters Vienna.

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

Responsibilities Within delegated authority the Associate Programme Officer (Technical Coordination, Chemical Disposal Latin America and the Caribbean) will be responsible for providing substantive support to the technical coordination and implementation of the programme activities within the field of safe handling and disposal of drugs and precursor chemicals in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly, for enhancing national capacities in safe handling and disposal of drugs and the precursor chemicals in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, and other countries that might require assistance. The Global Scientific and Forensic Services Support Project is a technical assistance programme to provide forensic capacity building to Member States. The Associate Programme Officer (Technical Coordination, Chemical Disposal Latin America and the Caribbean) will perform the following duties:

Design and implementation of programme plans/activities: - Train, supervise and technically coordinate the project staff as determined by the Project Coordinator. Guide trainers, experts, specialists, consultants and other technicians in the preparation and implementation of project activities. - Carry out technical arrangements for the project, contribute to the preparation of project progress reports; act as technical liaison with national authorities, international experts, UN agencies and other bilateral and multilateral organizations. - Provide assistance and support to the development, implementation and evaluation the technical implementation of the activities established in the Project Work Plan; assist in monitoring and analysing the development and implementation of project activities; review relevant documents and reports; identify technical problems and strategies to be addressed; assist in initiating corrective actions when necessary; engage with relevant parties; ensure the follow-up actions of the activities and strategies implemented. - Periodically prepare reports on activities, products and results framed in the technical development of the project. - Provide substantive support in analysing and investigating political, social and economic situations in the country that may affect the technical development of the activities proposed in the project's Work Plan. Assist in the preparation of analytical reports, when necessary, to be presented by the Project Coordinator. - Initiate and coordinate with the Project Coordinator and the technical team the outreach activities established in the Work Plan. - Contribute to the preparation of periodic analytical reports, briefing notes and presentations to contribute to the project management. - Participate in coordination, informational sessions and meetings on the assigned topic determined by the Project Coordinator.

Facilitation of knowledge building and management: - As member of a team participate in the design, development and implementation of technical activities in the field of safe handling and disposal of drugs and precursor chemicals in Latin America and the Caribbean in close coordination with and under the technical guidance of the LSS at Headquarters in Vienna. - Prepare, contribute to and review technical documents, capacity building material, protocols, and other material on safe handling and disposal of chemicals needed for the implantation of project activities. - Provide substantive support to the preparation of the content as well as provide assistance to the conduct of technical capacity building activities on safe handling and disposal of chemicals and contribute to the identification of suitable participants. - Participate in the planning, organizing and conducting of technical assessment missions and national stakeholder meetings. - Provide substantive guidance to the work of national staff in beneficiary countries, relevant for the fulfilment of the project objectives. - Identify primary and secondary data sources as well as information gaps, in coordination with stakeholders; recommend activities for the collection of primary and secondary information with the objective of strengthening the monitoring of trends in the production, trafficking, control and disposal of drugs and chemicals, to improve the availability and quality of information for the implementation of the project. - Assist in the establishment, in coordination with the technical team, of a set of basic indicators and the methodology to identify, map and monitor patterns of production, trafficking, interdiction, administrative control and other relevant dynamics that affect the disposal of drugs and chemicals in the target countries. - Support and facilitate the development of follow-up activities through the mobilization of technical knowledge and the organization of dissemination activities (workshops, seminars, etc.) in coordination with the project management.

Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the delivery of technical assistance in post-conflict settings. Has knowledge of the relevant mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and good research and analytical skills. Is able 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. Has good analytical, planning, and organizational skills. 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.

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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in chemistry, pharmacy 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 of two years of progressively responsible professional experience in the coordination of technical assistance activities in drug and precursor control at the national or international level is required.

Experience in the development of technical research on drug and precursor control is required

Experience in the design, monitoring and technical coordination of international cooperation projects on specialized topics of natural or synthetic drugs is required.

Experience in handling classified information, due to national security conditions, is required.

Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, experience in managing web-based management system is required.

Experience in the preparation of studies and technical works related to the disposal of precursor chemicals and drugs in Latin America is desirable.

Experience in developing and implementing technical capacity building activities in Latin America on drug and precursor control and disposal is desirable.

Experience in field work in areas with high levels of conflict and risk is desirable.

Experience in coordinating work with specialized teams in remote sensing and geographic information systems applied to the problem of illicit drugs and chemical substances is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

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

Special Notice Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located.

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.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.