Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch (DLSSB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of, and reporting to the Chief, DLSSB.

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

Responsibilities

Within limits of assigned authority, the Drug Control and Crime Prevention Officer (Drug Policy) will undertake activities in the context of supporting the Chief of the Branch in advising and leading on drug policy matters related to the work of UNODC. More specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Serve as principal coordinator, including advisory functions to the Chief of the Branch, on overall drug policy issues and related strategic decisions. Perform lead coordinating functions to ensure that the planning and programming of the Branch are undertaken in close collaboration with policies set by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the UNODC corporate strategy on addressing and countering the world drug problem, and in coherence with the UN (United Nations) Common Position on Drugs.
• Perform lead responsibility for the conceptualization, preparation and coordination of substantive and policy papers with respect to the different work areas of the Branch, as well as for the coordination of Branch-level and UNODC-level inputs for UN Secretariat- and UN system-wide and other relevant policy and strategy documents. Prepare and contribute to thematic substantive publications and other specialized products.

• Attend policy-making and expert group meetings to monitor, analyse and advise on events and discussions. Provide technical inputs to the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies, such as the Commission on Narcotic Drug, prepare analytical summaries of debates, and support negotiations and analyses/compilation of outcomes;
• Participate in and/or represent DLSSB in internal and external committees, inter-governmental, UN inter-agency task forces, and international technical meetings related to drug policy, as required.

• Serve as focal point for the task team on the UN common position on drugs, develop and deliver a work programme of activities of engagement and meetings, in close consultation with participating agencies, the UN development coordination office, country teams and UNODC field offices. Develop and disseminate information materials related to drug policy, including on the UN common position on drugs.
• Serve as gender, human rights, diversity and inclusion focal point for DLSSB.

• Prepare/draft a variety of written outputs, such as such as background papers, correspondence with governments, working papers, mission reports, analyses, briefings, presentations, policy proposals and documents, regular and ad hoc reports, studies, summary reports, manuals, guides, toolkits, model legislation, and responses to technical internal/external queries on drug policy. Draft parts of, or contribute to, the preparation of progress and assessment reports.
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Perform other work-related duties, as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to UNODC mandates. Has knowledge of the international drug conventions and functioning of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs and its subsidiary bodies, including on the substance scheduling mechanisms. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, able to analyse drug data and information from various sources, conduct complex analyses and evaluations, and proposes recommendations for policy responses. Has expertise in substantive servicing of intergovernmental bodies, programme coordination and management support. Can formulate and coordinate complex policy and strategy papers and documents. Has ability to provide advice and assistance to Government officials in matters pertaining to scheduling under the international drug conventions. Has demonstrated ability to conceptualize, coordinate and finalize specialized technical publications on international drug control. Has demonstrated ability to conceptualize and prepare policy-oriented substantive documents and provide substantive servicing for policy-making bodies. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender, human rights, diversity, and inclusion 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.

• Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, international law, criminology or international development is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in policy analysis, including in the drugs sphere, is required.

Work experience in policy and programme development, management and administration is required.

Work experience in joint programme development and implementation among United Nations entities and/or similar regional bodies is desirable.

Work experience in mainstreaming human rights considerations to policy issues and programming 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 this position, fluency in English 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

This temporary position is available for six months with the possibility of extension. 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.

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.

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.