Project assistant

Contract

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

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provides technical assistance to Member States to strengthen their capacities in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime was mandated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 to serve as the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and the Trafficking in Persons Protocol. Under this mandate, UNODC serves as the technical secretariat of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention, which enables it to advance in a technical dialogue with the member states of the Organization in the development of the provisions of the Convention and its protocols at the domestic level and in the promotion of cooperation mechanisms among them. To this end, UNODC has developed unique expertise and experience in the development of a wide range of specialized technical tools to enhance capacity in national and regional anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) responses. In Latin America, UNODC has implemented regional, national and local projects, including multi-year grants awarded by donors such as the European Union, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden and the U.S. State Department's Office to Combat and Monitor Trafficking in Persons J/TIP. Past projects have focused primarily on assisting criminal justice practitioners to use accumulated knowledge in the fight against human trafficking. This work has been made possible by UNODC national expert teams in twelve countries in the region with the support and substantive expertise of the Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling Section at UNODC Headquarters in Vienna. In this context, UNODC ROPAN pays special attention to the specific needs of Central American and Caribbean countries in order to provide tailor-made, coherent and effective technical assistance to address the challenges posed by these phenomena in the region. The Senior Specialist under the technical guidance of the team of the Global Programmes on Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling will provide support in the implementation of the Joint Initiative: Strengthening Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Agencies' Capacity to Coordinate and Exchange Information to Investigate and Prosecute Human Trafficking and the Smuggling of Migrants actions, programs and projects in Costa Rica to be implemented jointly with IOM and UNWOMEN

Under the direct supervision of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer the Project Assistant will have the following responsibilities:

Tasks related to project planning and implementation:

• Facilitate program implementation and evaluation, including collection and compilation of relevant data and information.
• Conduct desk research.
• Support the implementation of the program at the regional level, e.g. by organizing the provision of assistance and procurement in accordance with UN rules and regulations.
• Prepare technical presentations on activities under the program for presentation at relevant regional or international events, as appropriate.
• Design, prepare and facilitate project communication and visibility materials.
• Facilitate and coordinate communication with institutions.
• Coordinate with other intergovernmental organizations, relevant non-governmental organizations and institutes engaged in the provision of training on regionally relevant issues.

Tasks related to project administration:

• Support in the preparation of financial and narrative reports related to project coordination for both donors and UNODC Vienna;
• Maintain updated information related to project expenditures;
• Maintain contact with consultants and experts on technical and administrative aspects (recruitment, travel and payments) linked to their functions;
• Maintain updated information related to the expenses generated by the project;
• Preparation of payments for activities implemented by the project.

Other tasks related to the work of UNODC:

• Participate in inter-agency meetings as requested.
• Any other duties as determined by the Senior Expert and the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer related to the project or other activities under the Global Programme.

The work involves frequent contact and interaction with the following counterparts: - UNODC staff in the region. - Government officials from Central American and Caribbean countries. - Agencies of the United Nations system and other regional or international organizations, consultants.

Results/expected outputs

Effective implementation, follow-up and evaluation of the activities implemented under the Global Program of the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section. Adequate coordination with the consultants who will be part of the project; effective use of available resources; functional and timely coordination with internal and external partners; succinct and concrete reports, evaluating the progress of the project, as well as an organized calendar of activities.

Effectively delivers results; effectively implements and supports activities under the program; disseminates best practices and methodologies; organizes and assists in field missions; effectively and efficiently collaborates and interacts with colleagues and other internal and external parties

• Professionalism: Has knowledge of policies and practices in these fields as well as UNODC mandates. Has knowledge in substantive and functional areas with excellent analytical and research skills. Is able to identify and contribute to problem solving. Has knowledge of diverse research methodologies and relevant resources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet, and other databases. Demonstrates pride in tasks and accomplishments; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Meets commitments, deadlines, and deliverables; Is motivated by professional rather than personal considerations; Demonstrates persistence in the face of challenges and obstacles; Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring balanced participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Pays attention, interprets messages correctly and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, shows interest in effecting reciprocal communication, Adapts language, tone, style and format according to audience; Demonstrates willingness to share information in a transparent and reliable manner.

• Teamwork: Collaborates with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input from others; Values the ideas and capabilities of others; Has a willingness to learn from others; Prioritizes team agenda over personal agenda; Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when they do not reflect personal position; Shares credit for team accomplishments and assumes shared responsibility for errors.

• Integrity: Commitment to the values and principles of the United Nations and personal integrity.

• Commitment: To the vision, mission and strategic goals of the organization.

• Sensitivity: Adaptability without personal bias regarding cross-cultural issues, gender, religion, race, nationality and age.

• Respect for diversity: Works effectively with people of any race, gender, beliefs, etc.

• Customer Orientation: Establishes, builds and maintains effective relationships within their work unit and with internal and external customers. Responds promptly to customer needs.

• Results Focus: Demonstrates ability to identify problems and propose solutions and ability to plan and organize; report preparation.

project management and desk reviews are mandatory. • Experience in administrative support will be an asset; • Experience in event organization will be an asset; • Knowledge in event management and logistics with the United Nations System will be an asset;

In many aspects, Costa Rica is a success story in terms of development. It is considered an upper middle-income country, which has shown a steady economic growth over the past 25 years. This growth resulted from an outward- oriented strategy, based on the openness to foreign investment and gradual trade liberalization. Costa Rica is also a global leader for its environmental policies and accomplishments, which have helped the country build its Green Trademark. The pioneering Payments for Environmental Services (PES) program has been successful in promoting forest and biodiversity conservation; making Costa Rica the only tropical country in the world to have reversed deforestation.

Costa Rica is a country without Armed Forces. The country has a uniformed Police Force (Fuerza Publica) and a Judicial Police (Organismo de Investigación Judicial – O.I.J.) under the Ministry of Justice. Law enforcement response, while not comparable to the United States or Europe, is considered adequate. Costa Rica’s climate is stable throughout the year. During the rainy season, from May to November, some rural roads are blocked by landslides. During the Caribbean hurricane season, from June to November, heavy rainfall can affect both the Caribbean and Pacific coast with occasional flooding on settlements and roads. Costa Rica faces a recognized high level of non-violent crimes against tourists and regular citizens. The use of fire weapons during a criminal event is common. Despite relatively low levels of criminality in the overall situation of the Central America region, robberies (including armed robberies and residential breakins) are frequently reported crimes within the whole country. Some of these crimes are associated to drug consumption. Unstable perpetrators, eventual confrontation or any other triggering situation, during such events, along with widespread use of fire weapons, may easily lead to violence and impact UN personnel integrity. The possibility of a residential break-in to go wrong, in case robbers are confronted by victims in the house, is too high to be discarded. More than 8000 robberies are reported every year, which due to the bureaucracy involved, is still believed to be underreported

Costa Rica is a unique country, it provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.