Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the UNODC Country Office in Afghanistan (COAFG), with duty station in Kabul, Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Programme Officer (Drug Demand Reduction and HIV Prevention) will work under the overall supervision and guidance of the Representative of COAFG, as well as the project core coordination team in Vienna. The incumbent will work on substantive matters in close consultation with the Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch (DLSSB) at UNODC Headquarters, the UNODC Regional Section for Europe, West and Central Asia (RSEWCA) and the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighboring Countries.

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

Responsibilities

The focus of this position is to coordinate activities with regards to the prevention of drug use, the treatment and care of drug dependence, the prevention of health and social consequences of drug use and drug dependence, as well as HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care in prison settings. Within assigned authority, the incumbent will perform the following specific tasks:

• Plan, manage and coordinate the implementation of UNODC strategies, polices and programme activities and take responsibilities for the implementation of drug demand reduction and HIV prevention project in Afghanistan.
• Lead planning, management and coordination associated with the implementation of the Sub-programme 3 strategy as per the project document, including by means of preparing detailed and costed work plans for the timely and realistic achievement of programme objectives in close consultation with all relevant UNODC and at HQ.
• Ensure that operations, financial management, procurement, logistics, liaison and communication activities performed are conducted according to UNODC standards and procedures.
• Lead and coordinate and monitor implementation, jointly with national/local project staff, of all project activities, including identification of implementing partners, support drafting, review, assessment and final approval of grant proposals, ensure regular communication with projects national counterparts and partners.
• Lead and supervise the project team in preparing donor reports, concept notes, proposal writing and presentations.
• Facilitate the communication and dissemination of guidelines, protocols and best practices on illicit drug use prevention, treatment of drug use disorders and harm reduction services.
• Build partnership, collaboration/coordination with other UN agencies in the planning and implementation of joint programmes/projects.
• Organize the review and appraisal of project documentation, support coordination and implementation of global, regional and national drug dependence treatment, prevention and other drug-associated bloodborne and health-related programmes.
• Identify both international and national consultants and trainers to undertake specific programme activities, in close coordination with UNODC technical experts, and ensure quality and achievement of specific assignments.
• Conduct timely project reviews, revisions, monitoring and completion of related reporting obligations, the latter related both to UNODC and to individual donors, as applicable, and in accordance with UNODC project management policies and guidelines.
• Organize and participate in field missions.
• 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 assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and policies and practices relating to the prevention of drug use, the treatment and care of drug dependence and the prevention of the health and social consequences of drug use and dependence, including awareness of the relevant mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has up-to- date knowledge on advances in drug dependence treatment as well as HIV prevention and care as related to drug use and prisons approaches and techniques. Has very good organizational, research and analytical skills. Is able to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has good communication skills to liaise, negotiate and advocate with key stakeholders and other implementing agencies. Has proven ability to write technical reports and reviews and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues and defending recommendations is required. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. 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.

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.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in health, human or social sciences, public health, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, sociology, education or related studies, 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 an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of professional work experience in drug demand reduction, drug dependence prevention and treatment is required.

Work experience in planning, project /programme management, implementation and monitoring/evaluation is required.

Work experience in coordination, donor relations and fund raising is required.

Work experience in the treatment of children and adolescents affected by drug use disorders is desirable.

Work experience in the area of drug demand reduction in prisons, detention facilities or juvenile detention facilities is desirable.

Experience of working with civil society organisations for drug treatment is desirable.

Experience in preparing reports for senior officials, management and donors is desirable.

Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

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 currently available for a period of 11 months. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal candidate of 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.

Afghanistan is classified in the E category (non-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.

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.