Org. Setting and Reporting

This temporary position is located at the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Panama City, Panama. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Representative and support the coordination functions of Front Office of the Regional Representative with regard to the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting of UNODC projects and programmes in the region in line with the UNODC Strategic Vision for Latin America and the Caribbean (2022-2025) and related programmatic interventions.

For information on UNODC, visit www.unodc.org.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Provide support to the Regional Representative for Central America and the Caribbean in the implementation of his/her functions.
• Support and coordinate the preparation of meetings and mission documents for the Regional Representative by collating/coordinating inputs for the development of briefing notes, addresses, presentations, mission files, as well as attend meetings/mission when required.
• Serve as Front Office thematic Focal Point on gender, youth, 2030 agenda and the UN reform, and other cross-cutting themes requiring coordination with headquarters and project offices within Central America and the Caribbean.
• Act as entry point for the Regional Section for Latin America and the Caribbean for all ROPAN contributions and feedback.
• Keep abreast of the regional and continental trends and developments as it relates to UNODC’s mandates and prepare briefs and updates upon requests.
• Coordinate and provide direction to the Front Office substantive team, including project management, communications and reporting focal points.
• Acts as Focal Point to collate, draft and provide quality assurance for internal and external reporting and work planning obligations, including internal annual exercises, UN country teams, Regional Development Coordination Office, development partners, etc.
• Monitor funding mechanisms and opportunities in the region and globally, including UN pooled funds, alerting the Regional Representative and relevant projects/programmes and provide technical support and quality assurance to concept notes and documents development and submission.
• Provide programmatic support throughout the project lifecycle by engaging from design to evaluation stages and ensuring compliance/alignment with UNODC’s result-based management approach and the LAC strategic visions objectives.
• Support and guide national, regional and global project/programme owners with activity alignment with United Nations Cooperation Frameworks in-country.
• Support ROPAN’s engagement in UNCTs with regard to the Office’s mandate on drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice and assist in the implementation of the Secretary General’s UN development system reform agenda.
• Develop and implement, upon request, project activities, monitor fund utilisation and prepare relevant progress reports.
• Conduct programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office, including preparation of budgets, assign and monitor performance parameters and critical indicators, report on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• As delegated, act as Front Office certifying Officer for all ROPAN cost centres.
• Provide substantive backstopping and guidance on the Sustainable Development Goals as related to UNODC’s mandate and liaise on substantive issues related to crime prevention and criminal justice reform, transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking, countering corruption, terrorism prevention, and drug prevention and treatment with focal points in ROPAN and with UNODC HQ in Vienna.
• Support, upon need and request and in collaboration with the ROCOL, UNODC’s work and engagement with the Regional UN Development Coordination Office, including the work in the regional collaborative platform, development of cooperation frameworks and other related topics.
• 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.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has good knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to UNODC’s in the region in the context of programme management. Has very good understanding and knowledge of crime prevention and criminal justice issues, transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking, countering corruption, and terrorism prevention. Is able to identify, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems/challenges. Is able to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 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 law, political sciences, development, or a related field 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 five years of progressively responsible professional experience in drug control activities, crime and/or terrorism prevention, law enforcement, prosecution, criminal justice, international relations, social or political affairs or related area relevant to UNODC’s mandate is required.

Experience in project or programme management and administration is required.

Work experience in crime prevention and criminal justice 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 English and Spanish, is required. Knowledge of French is an advantage. 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 position is temporarily available for a period of 10 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will 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.

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.

Panama 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.

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.

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 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.