Chief

This position is located at the Intergovernmental Meetings Unit (IMU) of the Secretariat to the Governing Bodies (SGB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Chief of Unit reports directly to the Chief of the Secretariat, under the overall supervision of the Director of the Division. For more information on UNODC visit www.unodc.org.

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will perform the following specific duties: • Manage, supervise and carry out the activities undertaken within the Unit, ensure that activities are carried out in a timely fashion and are well coordinated with the work carried out by the other staff in SGB; • Support the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) and, as appropriate, the UN Congresses on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, in carrying out their functions effectively as central UN policy-making bodies within their respective mandates, and serve as Deputy Secretary to the Commissions; • Prepare or coordinate preparation of documents for the Commissions and other legislative bodies, in particular CND subsidiary bodies, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the General Assembly, and the United Nations Congresses on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice as required; • Prepare the treaty-related work of the CND, including related to the scope of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and chemical precursors; • Identify actions to be taken by the Office following the adoption of resolutions and decisions by the Commissions, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly, as appropriate, in the fields of drug control and crime prevention and criminal justice. Advise on and coordinate relevant follow-up, including preparation of reports to those bodies; • Assist in the organization and substantive servicing of the intersessional meetings of the CCPCJ and the CND, including preparation of draft agendas, briefing members of the bureau and extended bureaux, prepare notes for members of the bureau and officers of ad hoc working groups, as well as reports and outcome notes of meetings; • Serve as Secretary of intergovernmental meetings as required; • Provide substantive services to the subsidiary bodies of the CND, identify documentation requirements, coordinate and draft documents (pre-, in- and post- session); review reports drafted by others for content, consistency and policy implications; • Provide substantive inputs/services and advice to expert groups, working groups and symposia established by legislative bodies to examine and report on technical considerations of drug control and crime prevention (background papers, selection of experts, invitations and other related administrative arrangements, as required) and provide, as required, organizational and substantive backstopping advice to special technical meetings of the Programme, in order to facilitate decision making, linkages to mandates and the work of the legislative bodies; • Oversee the preparation of mandated and other publications (such as the annual publication on manufacturers legally authorized by Governments to manufacture narcotic drugs; psychotropic substances and precursors; and the annual publication on the Competent National Authorities under the International Drug Control Conventions); • Oversee preparatory work for electoral processes regarding the International Narcotics Control Board; • Contribute, in cooperation with the other staff in SGB, to the identification of funding opportunities and the preparation of funding proposals to potential donors/partners as appropriate; Serve as certifying officer; • Manage the staff in the Unit and promote internal and external collaboration; • Contribute to the promotion of diversity and a workplace culture of respect, zero tolerance and accountability; • Contribute to the full compliance of programme implementation with UN rules and regulations; • 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 assigned.

• Professionalism: Has knowledge of the work of the United Nations in drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice and substantive knowledge of the international drug control conventions as well as of mandates in the areas of drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice. Is able to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Has proven ability to analyze expeditiously extensive and substantive policy documentation and to produce high quality analytical and programmatic papers in areas of drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice. Is able to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations, including with respect to servicing meetings and the preparation of United Nations parliamentary documentation. Has 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. • 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. • Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. Managerial Competencies: Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, international relations or economics 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in international work related to crime prevention and criminal justice and international drug control, is required. Experience related to providing policy guidance, substantive and technical advice to Member States, as well as related to servicing meetings of, and preparing documentation for, intergovernmental bodies on matters of crime prevention and criminal justice and drug control, including the application of relevant rules of procedure, is required. Experience in fundraising and project administration in an international context is required. Experience in serving as Secretary of intergovernmental meetings is desirable. Experience in serving as certifying officer is desirable. Experience in the production of social media, audio-visual material and web content 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. Either French

or

Spanish is desirable. 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 III

UN Level III

UN Level III

UN Level III

Desirable Languages

Language

Reading

Writing

Listening

Speaking

French

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

UN Level II

Spanish

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.

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.  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). For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 April 2026, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Libya, Liberia, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, and Vanuatu.

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.