Programme Officer (GRIDS Programme & OPIOIDS Project)

The post is located in the Office of the Secretary (OS), Secretariat of the International Narcotics Control Board (SINCB), Division of Treaty Affairs (DTA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Vienna, Austria. The Secretariat of INCB is an administrative entity of UNODC reporting directly to the Board on substantive matters. The incumbent will report to the Secretary of the Board. For more information on INCB and its secretariat, please visit our website: www.incb.org.

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Develop, implement and manage the activities under INCB’s Global Rapid Interdiction of Dangerous Substances (GRIDS) Programme, its global Operational Partnerships to Interdict Opioids' Illicit Distribution and Sales (OPIOIDS) Project in compliance with Board decisions; develop conceptual and structural approaches of an operational mechanism for addressing acute problems related to illicit manufacture of, and trafficking in emerging synthetic drugs, new psychoactive substances (NPS), opioids (heroin, fentanyl, fentanyl analogues) and propose international action. • Monitor and analyze project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; ensure follow-up actions. • Develop and implement new approaches and activities under the programme needed by the international community to reduce the manufacture, trafficking and access of those drugs to the consumers. In particular, mobilize concrete international action against the trafficking of synthetic drugs, opioids, fentanyl analogues and related chemicals, and the misuse of non-scheduled substances. • Undertake and oversee the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary to 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) and next generation technologies with internal stakeholders, relevant national, regional and international stakeholders and relevant private sector partners, to ensure flow of information; • In collaboration with identified partners facilitate task force, public-private partnerships and other consultative meetings, develop and implement the activities under the project, including elements such as cooperation with industry, intelligence exchange, target trafficking of synthetic drugs and dangerous substances including fentanyl analogues on the Internet, and drug manufacturing equipment. • Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources. • Coordinate policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies, • Generate survey initiatives; design data collection tools; review, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions. • Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Coordinate, oversee and coordinate the work of other professional and support staff members, mentor and guide consultants, interns and Associate Experts in their work. • Lead and/or participate in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Undertake and oversee the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the programme, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, resource mobilization, work plans, evaluation of staff performance, and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. • 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: Demonstrates professional competence, expert knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to international drug control and, in particular to synthetic drugs and related emerging trends. Has good understanding of United Nations programme policies, guidelines and procedures and knowledge of relevant programmes and mandates of UNODC. Has strong analytical skills with the ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Has strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, including proven ability to communicate effectively with government officials. Is able to conduct data collection using various methods. Has 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. Is able to draft reports and papers clearly and concisely. Has good understanding/conceptual knowledge of information systems and electronic communication platforms. Has the ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Is able to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Is able to work in a multi-cultural environment. 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 in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; 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. • Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, international relations, criminology, criminal justice, international law, drug control law, chemistry, pharmacy, pharmacology, business administration, management, economics 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 seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in designing, managing and implementing large complex programmes in drug control, precursor control, and crime prevention, preferably within an international or regional organization is required. Work experience in programme and project management, administration and coordination or a related area, at the national and the international level, with a proven track record of successfully mobilizing and managing sustained major donor resources for international programmes is required. Work experience with national or international drug control, precursor law, regulatory or postal enforcement agencies in promoting inter-agency coordination and cross-border cooperation with relevant authorities and private sector stakeholders is required. Work experience in fostering public-private partnerships and promoting drug control efforts in collaboration with relevant private sector partners, such as the pharmaceutical/ chemical, Internet/ e-commerce platforms, the postal, express mail or courier services, or Internet-based financial intermediary services in an international context is required. Work experience in developing, deploying, and delivering technological tools, intelligence-sharing systems, capacity building programmes, and training to law enforcment, regulatory or postal enforcement officers in developing countries is desirable. Relevant work 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. 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

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

This is a project post.  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 extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the 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.  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.