Programme Officer (Alternative Development)

This position is located in the Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (ROSEAP), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with duty station in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The incumbent will report to the ROSEAP Programme Officer (Drugs Team Lead) based in Bangkok, Thailand as First Reporting Officer, and to the Deputy Regional Representative, also based in Bangkok, as Second Reporting Officer, with additional guidance provided by the Country Manager for Myanmar, based in Yangon, Myanmar. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will perform the following specific duties: • Design, propose, and coordinate the implementation of strategies that help break the links between agricultural communities and illicit crops in Southeast Asia, in particular in Lao PDR and Myanmar, ensuring sustainable and effective approaches. • Support local project teams in planning and implementing Alternative Development activities under the Regional Programme for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, in particular with a view to developing value chains, defining workplans and operational budgets, and providing substantive advice in their implementation. • Serve as principal regional authority on Alternative Development and rural community development for UNODC in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. • Coordinate with local project teams in Lao PDR and Myanmar to prepare detailed reports and ensure their timely delivery to ROSEAP and donors. • Develop proposals for Alternative Development programmes to present to potential donors as part of ROSEAP's fundraising efforts at local, regional and global levels, aligning them with strategic priorities and beneficiary needs. • Represent UNODC in matters related to the Alternative Development programme in technical discussion forums in the region, such as the Mekong MoU on Drug Control. • Advise ROSEAP management and managers in Lao PDR and Myanmar on matters related to Alternative Development programmes, offering specialized knowledge and strategic recommendations. • Establish and maintain bilateral coordination relationships with relevant public and private agencies and institutions in the field of Alternative Development (e.g., Mae Fah Luang Foundation and Royal Project Foundation in Thailand), fostering collaboration for the joint design and implementation of programmes in the Southeast Asian region. • Support programme teams in identifying, building and managing partnerships beyond the region, including commercial actors in potential target markets and entities providing technical advice and inputs. • Monitor implementation and propose operational strategies to optimize the use of resources in Alternative Development Programmes in the region, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of interventions. • Coordinate with UNODC research teams to design and implement evaluation activities for impact analysis and identification of best practices derived from programmes implemented by ROSEAP. • Prepare informational and outreach materials about the Alternative Development Programme, its conceptual foundations, and its impact, aimed at other UNODC areas and/or the general public. • Promote the formation of a network of alternative development programmes that facilitates the exchange of experiences and the building of joint strategies, strengthening South-South cooperation. • Organize and conduct training sessions to develop local capacity in the design and implementation of alternative development programmes, promoting the development of skills and knowledge. • Participate in conferences and meetings as needed, including preparing and delivering presentations, representing UNODC, and sharing the programme's progress and achievements. • 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. • Perform other work-related duties as required.

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to illicit drug production and Alternative Development. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. 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. 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. 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. Planning and 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.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture, rural development, regional development, sustainability, environmental natural resource management, social sciences, economics, business administration, management or 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 in project or programme management on Alternative Development (AD) is required. Work experience in providing support to rural cooperatives or similar producers’ organizations is required. Work experience in developing value chains in rural areas with limited infrastructure is required. Work experience in monitoring and evaluating AD projects is desirable. Work experience in rural development in a Global South development context is desirable. Work experience in advancing women empowerment and inclusiveness of vulnerable groups in the context of rural development, drug control or crime-related programmes is desirable. Work experience in working with diverse teams implementing programme activities in a rural development context 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. 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 and a competency based interview.

This temporary position is available for 364 days. 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. Chiang Mai is classified in the A 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.

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