National Programme  Officer (NPO) - UNODC

UNODC is implementing the Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe (RP SEE) which covers inter alia the Republic of North Macedonia (along with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244) and works in cooperation with inter alia the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP) and UNODC-WCO-INTERPOL Airport Communication Project (AIRCOP). The Regional Programme provides the overall platform for the UNODC involvement in South East Europe and supports the various thematic areas of the UNODC mandate.

Both CCP and AIRCOP are aimed at assisting the Governments around the world to establish effective container controls and real time operational communication between international airports; that will serve to prevent drug trafficking, organised crime and other illicit activity whilst facilitating legal trade. The Programme also aims to promote the formation of alliances between the Customs, trade and enforcement communities as a joint means to prevent the abuse of legitimate commercial trade for the purposes of organized crime. Furthermore, it will facilitate cooperation with relevant international agencies involved in regulating and monitoring world-wide container and air passenger traffic. In North Macedonia and the wider region of South East Europe, UNODC will implement the CCP and AIRCOP activities in coordination with the Regional Programme activities. UNODC will be working with various agencies of the region, including the Border Police, the Ministry of Interior, the Customs and other relevant law-enforcement agencies in their efforts to strengthen the national system of strategic export/import controls.
 

Summary of Key Functions:

The incumbent will work under the overall framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for South Eastern Europe. They will work under the direct supervision of the UNODC Regional Serious Organised Crime (SOC) Advisor and Head of UNODC Programme Office in North Macedonia, and the overall guidance and supervision of the Global CCP Coordinator at UNODC HQ Vienna, the Global Coordinator of the AIRCOP Programme and the Coordinator of the RP SEE. The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
 

• Assist the Global CCP and AIRCOP Coordinators and the SOC Advisor in activities related to the management, implementation and monitoring of the CCP in North Macedonia;
• Provide substantial support to all CCP and AIRCOP activities, including, organizing training activities, national workshops, law enforcement training courses and regional meetings;
• Ensure appropriate nominations and arrangements for study tours and training courses;
• Coordinate and cooperate with expert missions as required;
• Identify and prioritize requirements for training activities, ensure appropriate nominations and arrangements;
• Identify consultancy needs, develop terms of reference for the proposed consultancies and assist in the identification, selection and recruitment of consultants and instructors;
• Prepare work plans, monitoring reports (monthly, biennial and annual), background documents, mid-term evaluations and the final evaluation as well as any other required reports;
• Draft all necessary project progress reports and project implementation delivery rate reports as well as any other required documentation;
• Support the Global CCP and AIRCOP Coordinators in day-to-day communication with CCP and AIRCOP counterparts working across the region;
• Assist the Global CCP and AIRCOP Coordinators and the SOC Advisor in administrative, financial, logistical, project management and other types of issues for North Macedonia and the SEE region;
• Provide support to the Global CCP and AIRCOP Coordinators and the SOC Advisor in reviewing and revising the budget; draft annual and other budget proposals; monitor and control the budget of the project;
• Assist and support the CCP and AIRCOP Units (PCUs, ACCUs and JAITFs) on Information Technology (IT) matters (i.e. ContainerCOMM access, Computer Based Training (CBT) installation and monitoring, other hardware and software applications as needed);

• Monitor equipment supply and expenditure; Monitor adherence to the workplan, identify problems, propose solutions to the management;
• In close cooperation and under the supervision of the SOC Advisor act as a liaison officer between the various agencies participating in the implementation of the project;Support the Coordinator of the RP SEE in the implementation of the RP SEE in North Macedonia and the wider region as necessary on the basis of the requests of the Coordinator of the RP SEE;
• Support the Coordinator of the RP SEE and the RP SEE team in the reporting functions of the Programme, including donor report and regular UNODC reporting;
• Support the Coordinator of the RP SEE and the RP SEE team in the communication fucntions of the Programme, including in accordance with the visbility plan of the Programme;
• Support the financial and administrative elements of the implementation of the RP SEE in line with the UNODC requirements;
• Support the Coordinator of the RP SEE and the SOC Advisor in maintaining contacts with the government of North Macedonia and other partners in the country and facilitate smooth communication between them and UNODC;
• Support the Coordinator of the RP SEE and the SOC Advisor in maintaining contacts with the government of other jurisdictions in the region, including governments and other partners, and facilitate smooth communication between them and UNODC;
• Maintain close cooperation with the UNODC Offices in SEE in the implementation of the UNODC projects and on other matters in close cooperation and under the overall guidance of the Coordinator of the RP SEE and the SOC Advisor;
• Underake research and data collection, provide inputs into and prepare various written outputs, including but not limited to reports, briefing notes, background materials, project documentation (including project documents, project revisions, workplans, logical frameworks, budgets, etc) and others;
• Control project assets, maintain office equipment and keep inventory list;
• Collect documents and keep files related to the programmes and projects implementation;
• Support correspondence and communication with all relevant counterparts of UNODC;
• Support fund-raising activities for UNODC in North Macedonia and the wider SEE region;
• Participate in the work of the UNCT in North Macedonia under the overall supervision of the SOC Advisor and Coordinator of the RP SEE;
• Perform other duties as required, in particular in the context of the implementation and future development of the RP SEE and its sub-programmes;
• Work in close cooperation applying principles of teamwork with all colleagues at national and international level.
   

• Professionalism: A good knowledge of organized crime focus within law enforcement specifically in the field of customs control and border enforcement operations. Practical work experience in the implementation of technical assistance projects is considered a strong asset. Has ability to identify and resolve a range of issues/problems and to work well with figures, undertake basic research and gather information from standard sources. Has ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given. 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.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibit interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• 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.

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in international relations, law, criminal justice, criminology, analyses, humanitarian affairs, or related areas. A first-level university degree in these or similar fields in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: At least 7 years of professional experience in work with customs and/or law enforcement structures. Knowledge of the country/region’s political, socio-economic and cultural dynamics is required. Good communication and interpersonal skills and problem solving is required. Practical work experience in the implementation of technical assistance projects is a strong asset. Experience of working in an international setting or with international partners is an asset.

Language Requirements: Fluency in Macedonian and English and good drafting skills are required. Working knowledge of at least one of the other languages spoken in the country/region is an asset.

Technical skills: Proficiency in current office software applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and related information technology software and hardware (i.e. servers, internet, etc.). Experience in United Nations technical assistance, specifically projects in the area of drug control and related areas or capacity building for customs and police and familiarity and research with United Nations administrative procedures is desirable. A valid driving license is an asset.

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