Associate Scientific Affairs Officer

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 57,661 USD and 78,318 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The position is located in the Laboratory and Scientific Service (LSS), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Chief, Laboratory and Scientific Service and direct supervision of a Scientific Affairs Officer (LSS).

For further information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org.

Responsibilities Within limits of assigned authority, the Associate Scientific Affairs Officer will contribute to the further development and delivery of UNODC normative, technical assistance and expert advisory services in the laboratory and forensic science sector, ensuring that member states have access to, and use, quality laboratory and forensic science services, to internationally accepted standards, in their efforts against drugs and crime, and promote the use of forensic science data and information in drug control policies and crime prevention frameworks.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participate in the development, maintenance and dissemination of scientific and laboratory standards and tools e.g., methodological guidelines, reference publications and training curricula and materials, including the organization and follow-up of relevant expert meetings, as appropriate.
• Provide support to the provision of expert advice on substantive and technical issues related to the scientific aspects of the international drug control conventions, as well as mandates in the areas of law enforcement and crime prevention.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of integrated technical cooperation activities in the field of forensic science, in partnership with various UNODC work programmes and those of international partners.
• Support activities to improve national forensic capabilities and laboratory resources and promote the integration of forensic laboratories and scientific services into national and regional crime prevention and drug control frameworks.
• Provide assistance to activities to strengthen the capacity of drug analysis laboratories in the identification and analysis of substances under international control, including synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances, and their metabolites and precursor chemicals.
• Support further development of the UNODC Laboratory and Scientific work programme through substantive scientific participation in the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), organization-wide strategic initiatives, in particular the Synthetic Drug Strategy, and the UNODC Early Warning Advisory on New Psychoactive Substances.
• Prepare/draft a variety of written outputs, such as background papers, analyses, briefings, presentations, regular and ad-hoc reports, scientific articles as well as official responses to internal/external requests for scientific information and guidance.
• Assist in the preparation of progress and assessment reports and work plans.

• Perform other work-related duties and ad hoc tasks, such as the provision of ad-hoc expert advice, research and development work, and the compilation and systematic analysis of information in areas of interest, as required.

  Competencies Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to scientific areas of drug control; has knowledge of policies and practices in international drug control, as well as the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC); has knowledge of major aspects of the work of analytical/forensic laboratories and of UNODC’s activities in this area; has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases; is able to analyse data, conduct complex evaluations and propose meaningful actions to improve performance; 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: Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and senior officials in related functional areas; 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 forensic science, chemistry (organic, analytical or pharmaceutical), or related disciplines is required. A first-level university degree 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 Professional Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (GtoP).

Work Experience A minimum of two years of professional experience in drug control and/or crime prevention is required OR 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.

Practical experience in laboratory analysis of drugs in seizures or biological specimen, and evidence chain of custody is desirable.

Working experience in areas related to drug control and/or crime prevention is desirable.

Practical experience in education and training activities is desirable.

Experience with programme policies, guidelines and procedures in an international Organization and/or the United Nations system is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN 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 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.

Vienna is classified in the H 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.

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.