National Programme Officer

UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) has launched the Programme for Central Asia 2015 – 2019, covering all region countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This Programme is the overarching strategic framework under which UNODC provides technical assistance within the Central Asian States. It has 4 sub-programmes relating to a) countering transnational organized crime, illicit drug trafficking and preventing terrorism; b) criminal justice, crime prevention and integrity; c) drug prevention, treatment and reintegration and HIV prevention; and d) research and trend analysis.

Sub-programme 2 "Criminal Justice, crime prevention and integrity" aims to support requesting Member States to enhance their capacity to prevent crime and strengthen criminal justice institutions and help them implement relevant standards and norms by providing policy and legislative advice, capacity building activities, as well as support for the development and implementation of programmes through field-based technical assistance. It also seeks to strengthen the capacities of relevant national institutions to cooperate across borders in criminal justice matters.

This position is located in UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia. The incumbent will provide policy, programme, and technical guidance as well as promote implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and especially to ensure that the targets under ‘Goal 16 - Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies’, ‘Goal 5 – Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls t’, ‘Goal 11 – Make Cities Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable’ and ‘Goal 17 – Partnerships for the Goals’ and integrate them into UNODC work.

National Programme Officer will work under the overall supervision and policy guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, and the direct supervision of the of the Sub-Programme -2 International Coordinator and within assigned authority will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Provide policy, programme, technical guidance to achieve outcomes and outputs of Sub-Programme 2 aimed at strengthening the rule of law through prevention of crime and promotion of effective, fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems in line with UN standards and norms.
• Ensure the alignment of Sub-Programme activities with the nationalization of SDGs and the UNDAF and participate in working groups as appropriate;
• Provide guidance in delivering normative, analytical and operational assistance to countries of Central Asia for strengthening the effectiveness, fairness and accountability of their criminal justice institutions to tackle crime, corruption and terrorism;
• Provide guidance in developing assistance to countries of Central Asia for strengthening the capacity in preventing, detecting, investigating and sanctioning corruption and in promoting international cooperation against corruption, as well as the recovery of proceeds of corruption, both domestically and regionally.
• Provide substantive and technical expertise in promoting access to justice for women and girls; supporting the development of legislation and policies that protect their rights and prevent as well as respond to violence against women and girls;
• Provide advisory services for the development and implementation of crime prevention national strategies and action plans, including preventing youth crime and victimization, violence against women and children, and access to justice or social reintegration of offenders;
• Apply the knowledge, skills and experience of UNODC staff to help countries of Central Asia to reach SDGs. UNODC is well placed
• Advocate for building multi stakeholder partnerships at the domestic and regional levels to promote establishment of effective, fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems in line with UN standards and norms;
• Provide guidance in developing and implementing the methodological framework for the realization of the respective Sub-programme components in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice;
• Provide substantive and technical expertise for the implementation and assessment of the Sub-Programme 2 components, including the collection and compilation of relevant background data and information to monitor and report on SDGs implementation;
• Advocate for UNODC ROCA Programme objectives and ensure that all interested parties combine efforts aimed at enhancing capacity to prevent crime and strengthen criminal justice institutions to implement relevant standards and norms.
• Attend and provide advice on technical consultations with participating countries, donors and other actors on measures against trafficking in persons and/or smuggling of migrants;
• Design and facilitate inter-regional, regional and national training activities targeted to criminal justice practitioners in the area of criminal justice, crime prevention especially anti- human trafficking, prevention of smuggling of migrants and UNTOC protocols, and integrity for their capacity building;
• Provide guidance for updating relevant UNODC training and capacity-building tools; promote their use and application by respective target groups; including compendium of good practices/strategies arising from the Programme in a given state for adaptation in other programme sites in the area of anti-human trafficking, prevention of smuggling of migrants, UNTOC criminal justice, crime prevention and integrity;
• Lead and support programme networking and partnership development with the aim to enhance coordination and cooperation among parties concerned, in particular with key stakeholders in the area of anti-trafficking in persons and anti-smuggling issues including bilateral, multi-lateral, intergovernmental organizations, relevant non-governmental organizations, civil society,  and institutions which are active in the provision of training on crime prevention and criminal justice at the Central Asian regional or country levels;
• Prepare high quality evidence based reports/documents in time including regular reports on Programme key activities, issues and required action points and draft monthly and quarterly integrated reports. Lead the process of preparation of the Programme semi-annual progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks and issues, expenditures), annual review report and final review reports, and submit them to International Manager and UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia as appropriate.
• Together with UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia, contribute to development of funding proposals and progress reports to donor organizations, monitoring, evaluation and lessons learned reports and other relevant Programme-related documents, including advice and guidance to substantive correspondence for a) resource mobilization, b) partnership building, c) reporting.
• Provide guidance and orientation of efforts and contributions of consultants, personnel and government counterparts towards achievement of ROCA Programme objectives. Ensure alignment of procurement of goods and services to initiate activities, including drafting TORs and work specifications with UNDP rules and procedures.
• Contribute to the development of the gender mainstreaming strategy and ensure the mainstreaming of gender and human rights into all UNODC activities.
• Represent the ROCA Programme, if delegated and required on behalf of UNODC, vis-a-vis other UN organizations in Uzbekistan and other countries of Central Asia, donor organizations, other international organizations, as well as governments of Central Asian countries and non-governmental institutions and endeavor to build professional relationships with local, district and regional authorities in order to ensure the full participation of a broad spectrum of national leadership in the identification, planning and execution of activities
• Undertake regular monitoring activities, to ensure regular and effective on-site and off-site monitoring of progress towards and achievement of key performance indicators and the intended outputs to ensure that the adopted processes/activities lead to quality and timely results;

Perform other related duties as required in the scope of current position.

Core values:

Professionalism: Proven substantive expertise. Has demonstrated sensitivity to geo-political issues and adaptability to complex political environments; ensures adequate preparation of reports and papers on technical issues. Possesses up-to-date knowledge and practical experience of UN programme policies, guidelines and procedures.

Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations, including impartiality, fairness, honesty and trustfulness, in daily activities and behavior.  Resists undue political pressure in decision-making. Stands by decision that are in the Organization‘s interests even if they are unpopular.

Respect for Diversity: Works effectively with people from all backgrounds. Treats men and women equally. Does not discriminate against any individual or group.  

Core competencies:

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. Has highly developed communication skills (spoken, written, public speaking and presentation) including the ability to present sensitive issues/positions and prepare reports on short notice.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs in line with agreed schedules, budgets and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational rules, regulations and procedures.

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: Develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identify the priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required; allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foreseen risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjust plans and actions as necessary; use time effectively. 

Education:

University degree or equivalent in law, criminal law, criminology, international relations or other relevant field.

Experience:

A minimum of three years of relevant professional experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring & evaluation of development projects in the field of the rule of law, and/or crime prevention and/or criminal justice at national or international levels is required.

Experience in criminal justice matters, including anti-corruption and exposure to international development cooperation, especially UN is highly desirable.

Proven experience of working with the Governments, civil society, international organizations and donors.

Knowledge and practical experience in operations relating to administration and finance would be desirable.

Languages:

Fluency in verbal and written English and Russian with excellent drafting skills. Knowledge of Uzbek is an asset.   Proven ability to draft, edit and produce written proposals in English and results-focused reports.

Others:

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

Important applicant information

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

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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.

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