Org. Setting and Reporting

The post is located in the Country Office in Mexico (COMEX), Division for Operations (DO) located in Mexico City, and working within the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) which operates under the Office of the Secretary (OS), Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (SINCB), Division of Treaty Affairs (DTA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Representative of COMEX and the overall supervision of the New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) Project Manager of the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) programme. The Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (SINCB) is an administrative entity of UNODC reporting directly to the Board on substantive matters. For more information on SINCB visit www.incb.org.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific tasks: • Act as liaison officer of the GRIDS programme, coordinating with relevant national, regional and international stakeholders and counterparts including relevant private sector partners and their international/ regional/ national industry associations, involved in the programme, ensuring the smooth flow of information and communication, and ensuring the successful completion of all activities of the work programme; • Contribute to the promotion of and support the voluntary cooperation between government agencies and relevant private sector partners (e.g., manufacturing, marketing, movement and monetization industries); liaise with officers from member states to identify and invite private sector partners from their countries to participate in expert groups and related meetings; • Establish, maintain and strengthen collaborative relations with customs administrations, postal security officers, the World Customs Organization’s Regional Intelligence and Liaison Offices (RILOs), the Universal Postal Union’s Regional Postal Security Managers and national enforcement focal points for the prevention of dangerous substance trafficking through the misuse of postal and express courier services; • Carry out the implementation of INCB strategies, policies and activities related to the implementation of article 12, 13 and related articles of the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and relevant drug control articles and resolutions; assist in the organization and delivery of a variety of services aimed at adequate government implementation of the drug control Conventions; • Organize, coordinate the preparation of, and participate in, training events, case meetings, conferences and meetings, government and public-private cross-border activities, and contribute to the drafting of technical and training documents; • Organize and/or participate in field missions, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, develop and leverage relevant technologies and materials, and providing guidance to external consultants, government officials, private sector companies and other parties. • Facilitate private sector engagement that supports companies’ / industry associations’ participation in related events such as working group meetings, training and twinning events, workshops, conferences and related expert consultations; • Monitor and analyze developments and trends in drug, new psychoactive substances, non-medical synthetic opioids, related precursors, other dangerous substances and illicit manufacturing equipment at the national, regional and global levels; • Collect, analyze, compile, and share relevant information related to seizures and other incidents involving new psychoactive substances, non-medical synthetic opioids, related precursors, other dangerous substances and illicit manufacturing equipment to facilitate timely response by Member States’ relevant authorities to such seizures and incidents; • Monitor and review best practices, methodologies and programmes in drug and precursors control and contribute to their promotion among Member States; provide explanations/ support/ training to governments on provisions of the drug control Conventions; • Draft a variety of written outputs using Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PowerBI), such as background documents, strategic and operational threat assessments, needs assessments, correspondence with governments, presentations and training materials; • Contribute to the development, management, use and promotion of INCB proprietary platforms / technology tools (e.g., IONICS, PICS, GRIDS Intelligence) with information on various aspects of drugs, new psychoactive substances, precursors, dangerous substances and their illicit manufacturing equipment in the world and respective regions; • Guide support staff members, consultants and associate experts in their work; • 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 may be required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of policies and practices in international drug control and crime prevention as well as the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has knowledge and understanding of roles of customs officers and postal security officers in preventing trafficking of new psychoactive substances, non-medical synthetic opioids and their precursors, as well as harms on individuals and society at large caused by these substances. Has knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to private sector engagement and corporate social responsibility especially in connection with drug control and trafficking related issues. Is able to identify and evaluate issues and to contribute to the resolution of issues/problems. Is able to communicate effectively with counterparts and provide effective guidance to stakeholders. Is able to conduct data collection and analysis using various methods and to evaluate and draw conclusions. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Has good understanding/ conceptual knowledge of information systems and electronic communication platforms. Is able to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. The 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 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

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, international crime prevention, international criminal justice administration, law or regulatory enforcement, public administration, or related area 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience including at the international level, in government or private sector positions in areas related to drug or precursors control, law or regulatory enforcement, international relations or related field is required. Working experience at national and/or international drug or precursor law, regulatory or postal enforcement agencies in promoting inter-agency coordination/ cooperation at the national and international levels with relevant authorities is required. Working experience in developing and delivering technology training to law, regulatory or postal enforcement officers is required. Working experience in promoting security for relevant industries’, such as the pharmaceutical/ chemical; Internet/ e-commerce; the postal, express mail or courier services; or Internet-based financial intermediary services at the international level is desirable. Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365/ Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PowerBI) is desirable. Working experience in facilitating international information exchange and investigations involving new psychoactive substances, non-medical synthetic opioids and their precursors is desirable. Experience in delivering technology training to officials from developing countries is desirable. Experience with INCB global operational projects on dangerous substances and with the use of dangerous substances/ precursors proprietary online tools for incident communication and trend analysis is desirable. Experience with the United Nations system or similar international organizations 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 posts advertised, fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. 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. Mexico City is classified as an A and 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.