Drug Control Officer (Drug Control Technologies - GRIDS Programme)

This position is located in the Office of the Secretary (OS), Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna. The incumbent will report to the Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme Management Officer. The Secretariat of the INCB is an administrative entity of UNODC reporting directly to the Board on substantive matters. For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific tasks: • Analyse statistical drugs-related information from governments, international and national bodies through automated collection, compilation, analysis, visualization, and exchanges involving drugs, new psychoactive substances (NPS) and related chemicals using machine learning algorithms; • Coordinate, maintain, refine and operationalize INCB proprietary drug control reporting technologies under the GRIDS Programme (Project Ion Incident Communication System IONICS), GRIDS Intelligence, Scanning Novel Opioids Online Platforms (SNOOP), etc) with internal stakeholders, relevant national, regional and international stakeholders and relevant private sector partners, to ensure flow of information; • Support the development, management, use and promotion of INCB proprietary drug control platforms / technology tools (e.g., IONICS, GRIDS Intelligence, SNOOP, e-Learning Individual Training Environment (ELITE), ChemProfiler, GRIDS Targeting Assist (GTA), Preflight Information Notification Gateway (PING)) technologies systems on various aspects of new psychoactive substances, non-medical synthetic opioids and related chemicals, pharmaceuticals and other dangerous substances; • Collect and analyze data to identify drug 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. • Develop a variety of outputs using Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and automation tools (e.g., PowerBI, Power Apps, R, Python), such as background documents, performance/ statistics, strategic and operational threat assessments, needs assessments, correspondence with governments, donor reports, presentations and training materials; • Prepare and draft correspondence with governments, letters, mission reports, analyses, briefings, presentations, enforcement strategies, policy proposals and documents, including parts of INCB reports, inter-session documents, reports, studies, summary reports of INCB sessions, terms of reference for consultants, working papers for information, discussion and inclusion into the INCB Annual Report. • Carry out the implementation of INCB drug strategies, policies, written reports, activities and technologies related to the implementation of the Board’s mandates (e.g., Article 35 of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs), relevant drug control articles and resolutions; assist in the organization and delivery of a variety of technologies and services aimed at adequate government implementation of the drug control Conventions; • Organize, coordinate the preparation of, and participate in, training events using INCB proprietary drug technologies, field missions, case meetings, conferences and events, government and public-private cross-border activities, including proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, develop and leverage relevant technologies and materials, and providing guidance to external consultants, government officials, private sector companies and other parties and contribute to the drafting of technical and training documents; • Advise INCB Secretary and INCB members on technical questions related to national drug control systems, data evaluation systems, assessment methods, methods of data recording, remedial measures for cases of non-compliance, etc. • Provide ad hoc secretariat support to INCB sessions and to the Office of the INCB Secretary. • Guide and support staff members, consultants, UN volunteers, and associate experts in their work; • Perform other work-related duties as may be required.

Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of policies and practices in international drug control and crime prevention as well as the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has knowledge and understanding of roles of customs officers and postal security officers in preventing trafficking of new psychoactive substances, non-medical synthetic opioids, fentanyls and related chemicals, as well as harms on individuals and society at large caused by these substances. Has knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to private sector engagement and corporate social responsibility especially in connection with drug control and trafficking related issues. Is able to identify and evaluate issues and to contribute to the resolution of issues/problems. Is able to communicate effectively with counterparts and provide effective guidance to stakeholders. Is able to conduct data collection and analysis using various methods and to evaluate and draw conclusions. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases. Has good understanding/ conceptual knowledge of information systems and electronic communication platforms. Is able to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. The 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in in computer science, data science, analytics, statistics, economics, information management, public administration, 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.

Not available.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience including at the international level, in government or private sector positions in areas related to machine learning data analytics for drug or chemical control, law or regulatory enforcement, or related field is required. Work experience at national or international drug or precursor law, regulatory or postal enforcement agencies in promoting inter-agency coordination/ cooperation at the national and international levels with relevant authorities and private sector partners is required. Work experience developing self-service analytics and data visualization applications (e.g., MS PowerBI, Qlik, Tableau or similar), database or programming languages (SQL, Python, R) and developing machine learning algorithms (e.g., AZURE ML, Python or similar) are required. Work experience in developing and delivering technology training to law, regulatory or postal enforcement officers in developing countries is required. Work experience in promoting drug control with relevant private sector partners, such as the pharmaceutical/ chemical, Internet/ e-commerce, the postal, express mail or courier services, or Internet-based financial intermediary services at the international level is desirable. Work experience with Microsoft Office 365/ Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams) is desirable. Experience with the United Nations system or similar international organizations is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. There are no additional desirable languages specified. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult

https://languages.un.org

for details).

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Required Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

English

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This position is funded from extra budgetary resources. 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 the availability of 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. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.  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. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.