Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for the Andean Region and Southern Cone (ROCOL), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Bogota, Colombia. The Assistant Cooperation and External Relations Officer will report to the Senior Programme Officer of ROCOL and will work under the overall guidance of the Regional Representative of ROCOL.

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

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Assistant Cooperation and External Relations Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Support the application of United Nations (UN) regulations, rules, procedures, policies and strategies in the activities of ROCOL, in strict coordination with the Regional Representative and the Senior Programme Officer.

• Draft and review documents, and attend internal and external meetings with stakeholders and Government authorities, on matters of high responsibility and importance for ROCOL, the operation of the Office and the activities of UNODC in the region.

• Provide support as focal point of the Regional Office for the Andean Region and Southern Cone (ROCOL) for ongoing communication with UNODC Headquarters and specialized offices of UN Secretariat Headquarters in New York, on affairs related to voluntary contributions, implementing partners, cooperation, external relations, jurisdictional and arbitral claims, and privileges and immunities, amongst other.

• Assist in managing the Cooperation and External Relations staff and/or personnel in ROCOL, by providing permanent guidance, training, and feedback of their activities, according to their individual workplan and the strategic planning goals.

• Assist in providing advice to the programmatic areas of ROCOL in defining the terms and conditions for donor agreements and other instruments for the reception of voluntary contributions from national and international, public and private donors, as well as UN to UN agreements and projects presented to UN Multi-Partner Trust Funds.

• Attend meetings of the advisory bodies of the UN Country Teams in the region in which they have been delegated.

• Assist in reviewing and approving documents addressed to key stakeholders, Government authorities and other interested parties, regarding strategic cooperation and external relations affairs.

• Assist in reviewing and processing the issuance of Delegations of Authority and/or the clearance process of voluntary contributions in close collaboration with the Co-Financing and Partnership Section of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA/CPS) at the UNODC headquarters; create the grants in Umoja ECC module and monitor the amendments of those instruments.

• Provide support in processing and reviewing grant agreements, project cooperation agreements and memorandums of agreements involving ROCOL, in the framework of the United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC) External Party Engagement Policy, in close collaboration with the External Party Engagement Team of the Division for Management (DM/EPET) based at the UNOV headquarters in Vienna, and support the creation and review of the applications and change requests in Umoja Implementing Partners module.

• Assist in providing advice to the Regional Representative and the Senior Programme Officer on risk and crisis management.

• Assist in providing advice to the Operations Team of ROCOL on the design and implementation of transversal procedures and activities of strategic importance for the proper operation of the Office.

• Provide support in developing and leading training processes for the personnel and staff of ROCOL on strategic cooperation and external relations affairs, as well as on the application of UN regulations, rules, procedures, policies and strategies.

• Contribute to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

• Document requirements and background information used for data analysis.

• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism Has knowledge of the UN regulations, rules, procedures, policies and strategies, as well as national and regional rules and regulations, and can provide solutions to complex issues that uphold UNODC privileges and immunities. Has knowledge of international and contract law and expertise in solving difficulties with key stakeholders regarding those topics. Has negotiation skills and can contribute in achieving agreements and compromise between internal and external clients. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Commits to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Planning and 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.

Education

An advanced university degree in law or related field 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in law including legal analysis, research and guidance with a first level university degree is required.

No work experience is required with an advanced university degree.

Experience in assisting to guide small/medium sized teams and working in a fast-paced environment is desirable.

Working experience with the United Nations regulations, rules, procedures, policies and strategies is desirable.

Experience with an Enterprise resource planning system (ERP) is desirable.

Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Working experience with national and international public law is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, 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

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.

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.

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

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.