Senior Programme Officer, drug abuse prevention and treatment of drug dependence

With the trafficking of Afghan opiates through Central Asia, the countries on the route face considerable drug abuse and its health consequences, and corresponding challenges in preventing drug use and treatment of drug dependence and care among their population. To assist member states in Central Asia to implement evidence based prevention and drug dependence treatment programmes, UNODC – Regional Office for Central Asia is implementing two components of UNODC global projects. The first one aims at creating enhanced awareness and sustained commitment, in targeted Member States, to increased access to quality and affordable drug dependence treatment services thus contributing to reduce negative health and social consequences of drug use including HIV. The other project aims at implementing evidence based family skills training programmes to prevent, drug use, HIV, crime and delinquency among young people by strengthening and improving the capacity of families to take better care of children, in selected sites in the region

UNODC Programme for Central Asia (2015-2019) was officially launched on 5 May 2015, represents the overarching strategic framework under which UNODC provides technical assistance within the Central Asian States. It builds on previous UNODC assistance within sub-region and aims to deliver effect in an integrated and comprehensive manner. Sub-programme 3 “Drug prevention, treatment and reintegration and HIV prevention” aims to increase the quality, availability and access to evidence based services for people affected by drug use disorders and HIV, and to support Member States in developing balanced, human rights and evidence based drug control and HIV policies and strategies.

 Both global projects “TREATNET II: Treating drug dependence and its health consequences” and “Prevention of drug use and crime among young people through family life skills training programme” contribute Sub-programme 3 “Drug prevention, treatment and reintegration and HIV prevention”.

Under the general supervision and policy guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, and technical guidance of the of the relevant staff in Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Unit in UNODC HQ, the incumbent will be responsible for coordination of drug demand reduction activities of two global projects implemented in five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) as well as for providing of substantive support in development and implementation of activities with the framework of Sub-programme-3 "Drug prevention, treatment and reintegration and HIV prevention" of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia.

More specifically, and focusing on the field of the prevention of drug use and treatment of drug dependence, he/she will be responsible for the following duties:

1.     Management of the segments of drug demand reduction programmes in the region in line with UNODC guidelines and standards;

2.     Acting as substantive focal point with national stakeholders on the implementation of the demand reduction activities in Central Asia;

3.     Supporting partnerships, resource mobilization and advocacy activities at programme level under the drug demand reduction portfolio

1.     Management of the segments of drug demand reduction programmes projects in the region in line with UNODC guidelines and standards of UNODC:

• Implement, under the technical supervision of DHB/PTRS team all project programme activities, including the organization and conduct of regional and national training seminars and workshops on prevention of drug use and treatment and care of drug dependence;.

• Prepare costed annual workplans, ToRs for recruitment and contracting of consultants and subcontractors, as well as detailed plans for training courses, seminars, workshops, meetings and for provision of equipment in the region as required.;

• Monitor and control the project budget for the regional segments, and prepare budget revisions as required;

• Prepare and submit inputs for donors and internalk reports including quarterly, semmi-annual and annual reports;

• Monitor the implementation of grant components of the projects.

2.     Acting as substantive focal point with national stakeholders on the implementation of the demand reduction activities in Uzbekistan line with the Central Asian region

• Identify national implementation partners and solicit their support for implementation of project activities;

• Ensure regular communication with national counterparts and project partners.;

• Act as an additional resource person and /or moderator in regional workshops, seminars, training courses and meetings in the field of drug demand reduction.

3.     Supporting partnerships, resource mobilization and advocacy activities at programme project level under the drug demand reduction portfolio

• Be familiar with drug demand reduction activities of interest and need for development for national and regional counterparts;

• Identify resource mobilization opportunities for drug demand reduction and bring it to the attention of substantive and senior management.;

• Support advocacy efforts on drug demand reduction activities carried out by UNODC;

• Carry out arrangements and preparation of funding requests and briefs, project progress and implementation delivery rate reports, as well as liaise with regional, national and donor authorities, UN agencies and other international and regional organizations,;

4.     Supporting the implementation of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia, in particular in Uzbekistan:

• Ensure UNODC office national representation including on drug demand reduction activities.

• Assist and support the Regional Representative and the Programme Officer in ROCA in the preparation of relevant documentation, and analyze and contribute to written outputs collate papers and reports prepared by UNODC (consultants, or project parties in the field of drug demand reduction (including background materials, documentation on training courses and meetings, data for evaluation, briefing notes, working papers, resource mobilization papers, etc.).;

• Provide guidance on regional UNODC work on drug demand reduction as applicable;

• Support public awareness activities and promotion of the UNODC work in Uzbekistan and in the region;

• Ensure regular exchange of information and /experience with other projects, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices.

Functional Competencies:

• Client orientation
• Implementing management systems

Corporate Competencies:

• Integrity/Commitment to mandate
• Knowledge sharing/Continuous learning
• Valuing diversity

Managing Relationships

• Working in teams
• Communicating information and ideas
• Conflict and self management

Working with people

• Empowerment/Developing people/Performance management

Personal Leadership and Effectiveness

• Analytical and strategic thinking
• Impact on results.
• Results orientation/Commitment to excellence
• Appropriate and transparent decision making

Academic requirements: Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in health, human or social sciences (public health, psychology, medicine, social work, education, statistics, pharmacy) or related studies.

Experience:   At least three years of relevant work experience in public health, psychology or related area of work, especially drug demand reduction - prevention of drug use and treatment of drug dependence. Operational demand reduction policy and administrative background, and programme management experience (with UN or other international organizations) will be an asset.

Languages: Fluency in oral and written English and Russian.

Computer skills: Proficiency in current office software applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Other skills: Good understanding of contemporary issues in the field of drug demand reduction. Thorough knowledge on advances in drug prevention methodologies as well as for treatment of drug dependence. Very good analytical and problem-solving skills. Familiarity with operational research issues. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on drug demand reduction issues. Good interpersonal skills. Ability to work well under pressure

No restrictions for travelling throughout the region.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.