Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Office in Burkina Faso (POBFA) with duty station in Ouagadougou and operates under the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) in Dakar, Senegal of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Programme Officer (West Africa) will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Representative of ROSEN and the substantive technical supervisory guidance of the Programme Officer (Drug Dependence Treatment), of the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS), Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch (DLSSB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA) based at headquarters Vienna, Austria. S/he will also liaise and cooperate closely with all relevant substantive UNODC headquarters (HQ) Sections and the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East (RSAME) of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA).

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

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Programme Officer (West Africa) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide substantive support to the implementation of global programmes on drug prevention and treatment of drug use disorders. Organize, contribute to and participate in meetings, workshops and national/regional events and field missions related to drug use prevention, drug dependence treatment and care research, and monitoring and evaluation in the area. Act as a presenter, resource person and /or moderator in workshops, seminars, training courses and meetings. Guide trainers, experts, computer specialists, consultants, and other resource persons in their preparations for, and participation in events and project activities.
• Provide advice and coordinate the provision of technical advice, including the dissemination of scientific evidence, to government counterparts in West Africa on evidence-based drug dependence treatment and care as well as the development of a drug information system, within the scope of the UNODC-WHO Programme on Drug Dependence and Treatment (GLOK32).
• Collaborate with national/regional counterparts and coordinate policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies. Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g., draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Serve as regional focal point and liaise with key West African counterparts, stakeholders, and resource persons, as well as with bilateral and multilateral partners involved in drug use prevention, drug dependence treatment and care, towards the development of national and regionally relevant drug information systems.
• Closely coordinate with colleagues from the West African region (specifically French speaking West African countries) on drug demand reduction and drug information system related topics and activities.
• Collaborate with International Research Institutions to support the adaptation, monitoring and evaluation of evidence-based drug demand reduction programming, particularly on drug dependence treatment and care and the development of drug information systems.
• Develop project/programme annual workplans of drug demand reduction activities, particularly on drug dependence treatment and care and the development of a drug information system in consultation with ROSEN and PTRS as well as in collaboration with the relevant governmental counterparts.
• Collect and analyse 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.
• Carry out general, substantive, and administrative arrangements for GLOK32 in West Africa under the overall supervision of ROSEN and the technical supervisory guidance of PTRS, including preparation of funding requests and briefs, project progress and implementation delivery rate reports, liaise with respective counterparts, and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particularly drug dependence treatment and care as well as drug information systems. Has ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems related to these issues. Possesses conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Has ability 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in health, human or social sciences (public health, psychology, sociology, medicine, social work, education) 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in project or programme development, management, administration or related area is required.

Work experience with particular focus in the field of drug demand reduction is desirable.

Experience working in the context of inter-agency partnerships with the United Nations system or an international organization 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 French and English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered for this job opening. Roster applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are qualified, interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the position, if selected.

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 will be 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.

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.

Ouagadougou is classified in the ¿ 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.

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.