Associate Project Coordinator

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

The UNODC Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean in Panama (ROPAN) is uniquely positioned to support Member States in the Region in its fight against organized crime and corruption. It covers 24 countries in Central America and the Caribbean and provides technical assistance tailored to the specific needs of Member States in the region.

The UNODC Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean in Panama also provides support to Member States in the area of drug demand reduction, in close coordination with the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section of UNODC (PTRS UNODC). UNODC PTRS is part of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA) at UNODC Headquarters in Vienna. The section is responsible for identifying, developing, and disseminating "good practice" in drug use epidemiology, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, and assisting the Partnership in Development Branch of UNODC in strengthening national capacities to develop and implement demand reduction strategies and programmes.

This position is located in ROPAN (Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean in Panama), Panama City, specifically in the Drug Demand Reduction Section.. The contractor reports to the Programme Officer (UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence Treatment and Care, GLOK32) under the overall guidance of the Chief, PTRS. The incumbent will generally assist the drug dependence treatment team of the PTRS regarding coordination, implementation, monitoring, and reporting on the global programmes on drug dependence treatment and care.

Under the direct supervision of the UNODC Programme Officer, the International UN Youth Volunteer will:

• Support the overall implementation of the QALAT (Quality Assurance in Latin America & the Caribbean) II project in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, including through remote communication with UNODC PTRS (Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section). • Support coordination with relevant local authorities, with a view to facilitating project implementation. Assist in organizing, implementing, and monitoring relevant QALAT II project activities. • Support the preparation of online and face-to-face technical meetings and consultations as required. • Prepare relevant meeting documentation, including agendas, participant lists and presentations. • Support the project with the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. briefing notes, meeting reports, training materials, draft background papers, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, PowerPoint presentations and translations from English into Spanish, etc. • Communicate regularly with the team of the QALAT II project for reporting and information sharing purposes. • Participate in regular team meetings. • Assist in the preparation of work plans and other organizational management tools necessary for project planning and monitoring. • Increasingly build knowledge on substantive issues regarding drug dependence treatment and care and the related policies. • 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.

Results/expected outputs: • As an active UNODC/ROPAN/ PTRS team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UNODC/ROPAN/PTRS and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: • Results achieved within agreed upon deadlines. • Assigned reports on activities in project countries reviewed and finalized. • Ongoing support to UNODC global projects on addressing substance use and substance use disorders, especially in Central America, provided successfully. • Supported project implementation (QALAT II/GLOK32) including through remote communication with UNODC headquarters. • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNODC; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNODC procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNODC in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNODC’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

areas related to health is required. • Some understanding of contemporary issues in the field of health, in particular drug demand reduction, especially in developing countries, would be an advantage. • Very good analytical and problem-solving skills. • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on health-related topics. Good interpersonal skills. Ability to work well under pressure. • 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).

Panama is a family duty station and considered to be a safe place to live. However, like in any city around the world, it is always good to be aware of your surroundings and to be alert. There is a wide range of goods available in Panama and many modern shopping complexes as well as department stores and designer stores. There are suitable residential areas, accommodation options, good hospitals, schools, universities, banks, and a wide selection of restaurants There are beaches, mountains and national parks in the rainforest that it is said to have the broadest range of flora and fauna in the world. Panama does not have any serious health concerns to worry about, however, it is important to note that in some areas such as the Darien province, it is recommended to take precautions for malaria. The Centers for Disease Control website also recommends the yellow fever vaccination for travel to Darien province and the San Blas islands. Panama has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lived through one of the toughest lockdowns worldwide. Weather: Panama has two seasons, the dry season, which is from January until late April or early May, and the rainy season which is the rest of the year. The daytime temperature ranges between 80- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit with the evenings being cooler by 5 to 10 degrees. The average humidity is 70%.