Programme Specialist (Sahel)

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.

This UNV assignment is located in the Sahel Programme of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Western and Central Africa (ROSEN) in Dakar, Senegal. The Programme Specialist (Sahel) will work under the guidance of the UNODC Sahel Programme Coordinator.

The UNODC Sahel Programme supports the development of accessible, efficient and accountable criminal justice systems to combat illicit trafficking drug trafficking, organized crime, terrorism and corruption in the region by: • Promoting the implementation of international conventions with governments and foster regional cooperation on counterterrorism with authorities and prosecutors; • Preventing illicit trafficking of drugs, weapons, human beings and smuggling of migrants by enhanced detection and interdiction at airports and land borders; • Improving justice systems by promoting integrity safeguard mechanisms and Police - Justice cooperation through anti-corruption and anti-money laundering training; • Enhancing scientific evidence and investigation by providing authorities with appropriate laboratories and firearms control measures; • Supporting access and treatment of people in contact with the judicial system through strengthening the frameworks of human rights, legal aid, victim and witness protection and prison reform.

The Sahel Programme has been developed in support of the UN Regional Integrated Strategy for the Sahel (UNISS), which the UN Secretary-General launched in June 2013. The Strategy revolves around three broad area of support: Governance, Resilience and Security, formulated as strategic goals and organized according to key themes.

The implementation of UNODC activities through the Sahel Programme is coordinated with other United Nations entities participating in the United Nations Integrated Strategy for the Region, including the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UN Women and the offices of the Special Representative of the Secretary General and the Head of Mission of MINUSMA, as well as with other technical and financial partners present in the region (European Union including the EUCAP Sahel missions, INTERPOL, UNPOL, Civipol, Expertise France, etc.).

The Sahel Programme is supported by contributions from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.unodc.org/westandcentralafrica.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNODC Sahel Programme Regional Coordinator, the UN Volunteer Programme Specialist (Sahel) will help plan the activities, monitor the progress achieved in line with the Programme's logical framework, and contribute to the internal and external communications related to results achieved as a consequence of the Programme's implementation. The UN Volunteer will contribute in coordinating UNODC sections and field offices implementing the Sahel Programme, located in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The UN Volunteer will perform the following specific tasks:

• Assist in coordinating and monitoring the activities undertaken by the Programme's projects (coordinating inputs with different Unit for project proposals, donor reports, and to monitor the implementation status of the agreed workplan).Provide support to project coordinators and experts in project planning; • Propose and carry out necessary amendments to activity calendar and budget in order to achieve the project’s objective, in coordination with the national and regional project stakeholders and other team members of the Sahel Programme; • Contribute to the drafting and submission of timely and high-quality project proposals and donor reports for the Sahel Programme; • Support the creation of communication material for the Sahel Programme and its projects to improve the visibility of the Programme. • Undertake on-site missions to Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal to provide to ensure timely implementation of project activities and liaise with local authorities; • Prepare/draft various written contribution of UNODC work in the Sahel, e.g. background papers, briefing notes, presentations, regular and ad hoc reports, etc. • Participate in meetings, seminars, etc. on behalf of the Office, as and when required; • Perform other work-related duties as required.

•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.

programme or project management, including 1 year at the international level, is required. • Experience in working with on rule of law, crime prevention, criminal justice is required. • Experience in the West Africa or Sahel region is an asset. • Training and experience on gender-sensitive programming is an asset. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;

The assignment will take place in the nation’s capital, Dakar, a family duty station (difficulty classification A) with possible assignments in different regions of the country. Living conditions in Dakar are good and the social climate is calm and safe. Senegal is an open country that enjoys social stability resulting from the proper functioning of state institution. The West African country also has a good level of infrastructure; however, electricity and water distribution can sometimes be volatile in Dakar and other cities across the country, forcing thus many officials to use generators. Senegal is also a popular tourist destination. The welcome and spontaneous hospitality of the Senegalese are part of the characteristic features of this West African country. The country is at Security Level 2, which corresponds to "Low", apart from the natural region of Casamance (administrative regions of Kolda, Sédhiou and Ziguinchor) where acts of banditry are often reported but also the presence of elements of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) and unexploded ordnance (UXO). All United Nations personnel must scrupulously respect the procedures and security recommendations of the UNDSS during their assignment in Senegal. Thefts and burglaries are the main incidents against United Nations personnel.

Transport into town can be easily arranged by local taxis.

There is no right to R&R in Senegal. Access to health services in Dakar is good. The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory and vaccination cards must be presented at the entrance. Vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis and hepatitis A and B are also recommended. Basic medicines are available in pharmacies, but it is recommended to bring specific medicines on prescription.

Please note that to enter Senegal, a valid passport in required. Nationals of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) do not need and entry visa. Nationals of other countries may need an entry visa or a long-stay visa. They must contact the nearest Senegalese representation. Senegalese Embassies and Consulates in various West African countries and other parts of the world issue visas prior to travel.

You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.