Programme Specialist (Drug Control and Forensics)

The UNODC is globally recognized for its efforts in combating illicit drugs and international crime. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, it operates under the Regional Programme on Drug Control, Crime Prevention, and Criminal Justice Reform in the Arab States.

The incumbent will closely collaborate with experts conducting training for the Iraqi Ministry of Interior / Counter Narcotics Department and other members of the UNODC Programme Office (PO). Primarily, their role involves specialized translation expertise, facilitating communication between English and Arabic within the PO team and relevant technical units. The role also requires proactive engagement in seeking guidance, analysing evidence, and adhering to UNODC guidelines.

Internally, the incumbent interacts with UNODC staff to share knowledge and ensure work harmonization, particularly with the Services Unit for language and terminology input. Externally, they engage with technical partners, stakeholders, Ministry of Interior officials, and local authorities, as well as UN agencies within the UN Country Team (UNCT).

The International UNV Specialist, Programme Specialist (Drug Control and Forensics) will work under the overall supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator (Drug Control and Forensics) within the UNODC Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), based in Cairo, in close coordination with the Head of Office of the UNODC Iraq Office.
This position is part of UNODC’s Regional Programme for the Arab States (2023–2028), contributing to strengthening national and regional capacities to prevent and combat illicit drug trafficking, organized crime, and related governance challenges.
The incumbent will play a central role in coordinating programme implementation, monitoring progress, managing partnerships, and contributing to analytical and operational planning across MENA countries. Drawing on a strong background in law enforcement, criminal justice, and governance, the Programme Officer will support inter-agency collaboration, policy dialogue, and institutional strengthening efforts within the framework of the Drug Control portfolio.

- Programme & Operational Support
As the UNV International Specialist (Programme Specialist) for the Drug Control portfolio, the incumbent will:
• Lead the coordination and implementation of National Project funded by Canada activities in Iraq, ensuring effective alignment and synergy with relevant projects being implemented in Iraq country offices and national counterparts.
• Ensure oversight for result-based and impact-based project implementation of the drug control project(s) in Iraq, amongst the 4 pillars of the project, in close collaboration with relevant colleagues.
• Ensure oversight for the strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting of the project’s implementation, including activities programming, financial monitoring, donor’s reporting, as well as all relevant documentation, archiving and processes being in line with UN rules and regulations.
• Contribute to substantive methodology development, data management, consolidation, and analysis to inform strategic approach with the national counterparts and strengthening UNODC-Iraq partnership, especially under the Drug Control portfolio.
• Draft and/or review programme documents, such as workplans, progress and donor reports, briefing notes, internal memos, and knowledge products.
• Maintain updated records and archival systems for programme documentation in the UNODC framework.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders (UN agencies, national authorities, donors, partners) to ensure coherence, collaboration, and effective representation of the programme.
• Organize and coordinate regional events, workshops, consultations, missions, and donor meetings, including all logistical arrangements and follow-ups.
• Assist with onboarding, induction, and coordination of consultants, partners, and mission participants.
• Support the expansion of the Regional Drug Control Programme through provision of substantive guidance and recommendations, as well as ad hoc missions in the region, when required.
• Provide when required logistical and operational support to the Drug Control Programme, including ERP requisitioning and financial workflows (shopping carts, service entry sheets, goods receipts), ensuring timely processing, documentation accuracy, and coordination with Operations, Procurement, and Finance units.
• Disseminate programme achievements and knowledge on UNV and UNODC platforms, promote volunteerism, and support capacity-building networks in line with UNV principles.
• Perform any other work-related duties as required.