Southern Africa is a region facing growing challenges relating to transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking, drug use and drug use disorders and related health and mental health conditions. Evidence-based drug use and drug use disorder services are not reasonably available in Southern Africa and there is a need for more technical and programmatic support aimed at scaling up and intensifying drug demand reduction, in particular treatment for drug use disorders, harm reduction such as Opioid Agonist Therapy, Needle and Syringe Programmes and overdose prevention services. There is a need to scale up evidence-based drug demand and harm reduction among especially populations with special clinical needs such as youth, women and children and people in closed settings and rolling out Alternatives to Incarceration for people who use drugs in contact with the criminal justice system.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed a Global Agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to operationally support the implementation of their mandate through the provision of Human Resources services.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an office under the UN Secretariat, was established in 1997 to assist member states in their efforts to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism, and is one of the partners under UNTSS. 

Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, UNODC operates globally to support the development and implementation of policies and programmes that address a wide range of issues, including drug trafficking and abuse, organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and terrorism prevention. Through research, policy advice, capacity-building, and technical assistance, UNODC works to strengthen justice systems, promote international cooperation, and uphold the rule of law and human rights in the fight against transnational threats.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed a Global Agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to operationally support the implementation of their mandate through the provision of Human Resources services.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an office under the UN Secretariat, was established in 1997 to assist member states in their efforts to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism, and is one of the partners under UNTSS. 

Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, UNODC operates globally to support the development and implementation of policies and programmes that address a wide range of issues, including drug trafficking and abuse, organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and terrorism prevention. Through research, policy advice, capacity-building, and technical assistance, UNODC works to strengthen justice systems, promote international cooperation, and uphold the rule of law and human rights in the fight against transnational threats.

Under the overall supervision of the Regional Representative of UNODC, the direct supervision and technical guidance of the Regional Adviser, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care, Southern Africa (ROSAF), and the UNODC Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS), the National Programme Officer will be responsible for providing on-going technical guidance and provide support for implementing Investment Area 1 – Promoting People’s Health Through Balanced Drug Control of the Regional Programme Framework with a specific focus on the implementation of evidence-based tools on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for people who use drugs and with drug use disorders. 

Furthermore, the National Programme Officer will support South Africa in its efforts to promote balanced drug policies based on internationally agreed frameworks, norms and standards. The National Programme Officer will support South Africa’s efforts to address drug demand reduction, harm reduction, HIV and drug use disorders as multifactorial health conditions and to implement evidence-based drug use prevention and evidence-based treatment and care strategies, in line with the UNODC/WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention and the UNODC/WHO International Standards for the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders, including for populations with special clinical care needs, and based on scientific evidence, international human rights principles, and  the international rules such as the three Drug Control Conventions and other Rules.

This position is situated within the framework of UNODC global project GLOK32 – Partnerships for prevention of drug use, treatment, care and rehabilitation of drug use disorders, and access to controlled medicines while preventing diversion and non-medical use. The National Programme Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the South African segment of GLOK32, in close coordination with UNODC ROSAF and UNODC PTRS. The activities will focus on advanced quality assurance mechanisms for treatment services and systems for drug use disorders, treatment and care for people with drug use disorders in contact with the criminal justice system, and conducting research related to illicit drug trafficking and the emerging drug challenges.

The purpose of the role is to provide day-to-day technical assistance and support in implementing UNODC’s Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation efforts in South Africa. Under global project GLOK32, the National Programme Officer will be responsible to promote and implement UNODC’s strategy and programmatic work in the area of Prevention of drug use, Treatment and Rehabilitation for drug use disorders in South Africa and support the Regional Adviser, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care to promote HIV mandates in Southern African region. 

1. Technical Support and Capacity Building:

   • Provide ongoing guidance to national partners on evidence-based drug use prevention, treatment and care in line with UNODC/WHO International Standards, drug demand reduction, harm reduction and comprehensive package of HIV prevention services for people who use drugs and in prisons. 

   • Support the adaptation, dissemination and use of UNODC tools, guidelines and quality assurance mechanisms for drug use disorder services.

   • Deliver or coordinate training, workshops and technical meetings for service providers, government agencies and civil society partners.

2. Programme Management and Implementation:

   • Support the day-to-day planning, implementation and monitoring of South Africa’s activities under the UNODC global project GLOK32.

   • Coordinate project partners, experts and service providers to ensure timely implementation of agreed activities and outputs.

   • Ensure compliance with UNODC procedures, reporting requirements and quality standards.

3. Policy Development and Advocacy:

   • Support the Government of South Africa in promoting balanced, public health centred drug policies aligned with international agreements, norms and standards.

   • Render technical support to the South African Government in implementing the National Drug Master Plan especially drug demand reduction objectives. 

   • Provide contributions to national policy dialogues and strategic frameworks on drug demand reduction, access to treatment and harm reduction.

   • Promote evidence-based interventions for key populations, including people who use drugs in contact with the criminal justice system.

4. Research, Data and Knowledge Management:

   • Conduct a desk analysis of illicit drug trafficking, emerging drug challenges, and links to the drug problem in South Africa.

   • Support national research initiatives related to drug use disorders, drug treatment systems, and illicit drug trafficking trends.

   • Facilitate data collection, analysis and knowledge sharing on evidence-based practices, treatment outcomes and system-level improvements.

   • Contribute to periodic assessments, mapping exercises and technical reports.

5. Programme Development:

   • Support resource mobilization efforts and support initiatives aimed at expanding funding for evidence-based health pillar initiatives.

   • Develop concept notes, proposals for fundraising and programme development

6. Quality Assurance and Systems Strengthening:

   • Promote the establishment and application of advanced quality assurance mechanisms in drug treatment services and systems.

   • Support technical assistance to improve the availability, accessibility and accountability of treatment and care services nationwide.

   • Contribute to strengthening treatment and rehabilitation services for individuals in contact with the criminal justice system.

7. Others:

   • Perform other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Required

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in psychology, public health, social sciences, international relations, public administration, development studies, management, or other related fields is required. 

Desired

• A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as professional experience at the national level in managing and working on drug use disorder treatment and care, and experience in the field of programme/project management is required.

• Experience with work in project management or related areas.  

• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required

Desired

• Previous experience in UN projects or in donor-funded environments is desirable.

• Knowledge of various administrative procedures of UNODC or the United Nations system in general is desirable.

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.