Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Dakar, Senegal. The Associate Research Officer will report to the Research Officer heading the Research and Awareness team at ROSEN, with overall guidance from the UNODC Regional Representative, ROSEN. For more information on UNODC, please visit our website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Associate Research Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Participate in the planning, organization, delivery and coordination of research projects, including field missions, by assisting preparing project documents, including budgets and concept notes, providing logistical support, preparing and delivering activities and following up on actions. • Assist in analyzing the progress and development in the implementation of specific programmes and projects, contribute to the development of mechanisms for monitoring programme implementation and produce project reports, including for donors. • Carry out basic research on selected aspects of critical areas of concern related to drugs, crime, including organized crime, trafficking in drugs, trafficking in persons, corruption and terrorism in West and Central Africa, by collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources and participating in the analysis of state responses to criminal trends. • Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications and support the proofreading, translation and formatting of outputs, by liaising with service providers. • Develop and maintain reference/resource information on specific topics, policy-related issues, recent developments and trends in the field, including through the creation and management of databases and other information retrieval systems. • Liaise with member-states, NGOs, researchers and other contacts to obtain and provide data and information; respond to various inquiries and information requests internally and externally. • Provide administrative and substantive support to expert group meetings, panel discussions, conferences and other capacity building activities, by proposing agenda topics, researching and proposing experts, handling logistics, and delivering presentations. • Maintain awareness of political developments related to drugs, crime and terrorism that are relevant for the region, while ensuring gender is mainstreamed into the research and current trends relating to drugs, crime and terrorism in West and Central Africa. • Participate in the recruitment and selection of project personnel and guide UNVs and interns in their work. • Perform a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of the work unit’s services. • Undertake on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as 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. • Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has good conceptual, research, analytical and evaluative skills. Has proven advanced drafting and analytical report writing skills, especially related to organized crime and terrorism. Is able to identify key issues, opportunities and risks, and to analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems with demonstrated diplomatic skills. Is able to apply good judgment in the context of the assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 quality 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: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; 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

An advanced university degree (Master´s degree or equivalent) in political science, economics, law, social sciences, criminology or related fields is required. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of professional work experience in socio economic research and analysis OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required. Work experience in project coordination is desirable. Work experience in conducting research in the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable. Work experience in producing or substantially contributing to research publications is desirable. Work experience in conducting quantitative analysis with large and complex datasets is desirable. Work experience in one or several of the following specific areas is desirable: organized crime, terrorism prevention, trafficking in human beings, drug trafficking and corruption. Advanced experience in the use of word processing, database applications and presentation software is desirable. Work experience with counterparts in the field is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This temporary position is available until 30 June 2024. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. Dakar is classified in the A 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.