Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), located in Panama City, Panama. The incumbent will report to the UNODC Representative, ROPAN, and receive technical guidance from the Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS), Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch (DLSSB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA). In close consultation with other field offices in the region, the incumbent will manage the implementation and monitoring of the global programme of work on drug treatment, care and rehabilitation in the region and develop new initiatives with regard to drug prevention and treatment, as well as other health issues as required, at the regional and country level in Central America and the Caribbean. For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Regional Programme Coordinator (Drug Treatment) will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Develop, implement and monitor the global programme of work on drug treatment, care and rehabilitation in Central America and the Caribbean, as well as new initiatives with regard to drug prevention and treatment, as well as other health issues as required, at the regional and country level in Central America and the Caribbean, including: monitoring and analyzing programme development and implementation; reviewing relevant documents and reports; identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiating corrective actions; liaising with relevant parties; ensuring follow-up actions. • Generate research and survey initiatives, manage the design of data collection tools, the collection of information from diverse sources, the analysis of responses and the presentation of summaries and conclusions. • Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Initiate and coordinate outreach and advocacy activities, conduct training workshops and seminars and/or hold presentations on drug prevention and treatment, as well as other health issues, as required. • Lead and/or participate in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and draft mission summaries, etc. • Coordinate activities related to budget funding (programme preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents and reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • 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. • Liaise with key counterparts, stakeholders and resource persons, as well as with bilateral and multilateral partners involved in research and data collection, drug use prevention, drug dependence treatment and care. • Closely coordinate with colleagues from the region on drug demand reduction, drug information system and other health related topics and activities. • Contribute to and participate in meetings and national/regional events related to drug use prevention, drug dependence treatment and care as well as data collection, research, monitoring and evaluation in the area. • Initiate and coordinate advocacy initiatives for key stakeholders; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; hold presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Organize and/or participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, local counterparts and other parties, and draft mission summaries, etc. • Coordinate activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Guide trainers, experts, computer specialists, consultants and other resource persons in their preparations for, and participation in project activities. • Act as a resource person and/or moderator in workshops, seminars, training courses and meetings. Support the visibility of UNODC work in the country by developing human-interest stories/success stories of UNODC work in the field. • Performs other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to drug treatment, care and rehabilitation. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Has 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. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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& 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. • Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in health, human or social sciences (epidemiology, public health, psychology, sociology, medicine, social work, education) or related area, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in management of projects or programmes in drug demand reduction is required. Experience working in the context of inter-agency partnerships within the United Nations system is required. Experience co-authoring scientific publications on drug demand reduction is required. Experience working in drug treatment, care and rehabilitation 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 and in Spanish 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 four 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 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. Panama City is classified in the A 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. 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.