National Programme Officer (Drug and Health)

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. It provides specialized assistance to Governments for addressing the legal and rule of law aspects of drugs and health, criminal justice, anti-corruption, and counter-terrorism. It operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices.

Following the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) Resolution 45/33, the UN in the Philippines shall also implement a 3- year UN Joint Programme for the promotion and protection of Human Rights in the Philippines (UN JPHR). The Programme focuses on technical cooperation and capacity-building, aiming to improve further the situation of human rights in the country and to provide support for the country to fulfil its international human rights obligations and commitments. UNODC implements the components on human rights-based approach to counterterrorism and the component on human rights-based approach to drugs.

The UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific seeks to recruit a National Programme Officer (NPO) who will support the implementation of technical assistance activities in the Philippines in the programmatic areas of Drug Problem, particularly within two joint efforts: 1) the human rights-based approach to counterterrorism under the UN JPHR.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Resident Policy Adviser in the Philippines, with the Senior National Programme Officer as First Reporting Officer, the NPO will provide specialized substantive, technical and programming expertise for the design, implementation, and monitoring of technical assistance activities under the UN JPHR. The NPO will also receive and act on requests for relevant assistance from other UNODC initiatives in the Philippines.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

Provide specialized substantive expertise for formulation, implementation, reporting and assessment of technical assistance activities on health and drugs and criminal justice, under the UN JPHR, and other global and regional initiatives as required, focusing on:

• Expert advice, analysis, and formulation of technical assistance activities on human rights-based approach to drugs.
• Expert and timely implementation of technical assistance activities on health and drugs and criminal justice encompassed in the UN JPHR component on HRBA-Drugs.
• Assessment and identification of country needs for achieving effective human rights-based criminal justiceresponses to drugs.
• Assessment of relevant legal status, gaps and needed modifications, and formulation of programme intervention proposals to meet those needs.
• Expert input for technical publications or segments thereof (such as legislative guides, implementation manuals and training tools) for facilitating implementation of human rights-based and criminal justice aspects of the Philippines drug response.
• Mainstreaming of gender, disability, and human rights aspects in technical activities and correlated materials; expert analysis on these aspects as they crosscut with the drug policy, programmes, and activities.
• Efficient substantive, organizational and logistical planning, preparation and conduct of activities.
• Oversight of on-site performance of organizational, logistical and administrative tasks.

Liaise and coordinate with the Philippines national authorities and relevant assistance providers in human rights, drugs and health, and criminal justice-related matters, focusing on:

• Substantive liaison with national authorities, civil society, private sector, political representatives on relevant thematic issues for the development of tailor-made technical assistance activities; facilitate requisite endorsement for smooth implementation of activities.
• Identification of national, regional, and international experts and other resource persons, as well as adequate target audience, for the delivery of the programme’s technical assistance activities.
• Is up to date with relevant developments related to human rights-based approach to drugs and provides regular updates to senior management as required.

Liaise and coordinate with the UN JPHR Programme Manager in the Philippines, the UNODC Healthand Drugs and Criminal Justice Teams in Manila, and relevant government and civil society counterpartsfor the implementation, monitoring, and reporting on the initiatives under the UN JPHR.

Represent UNODC in relevant events and initiatives and delivery of specialized UNODC contributions within the UN JPHR’s drug component, focusing on:

• Is aware of, invited to, and participates at, relevant health and drugs and criminal justice events and foraorganized by other implementing partners in the country, including those for the UN JPHR.
• Efficient preparation and delivery of technical papers and presentations.
• Effective planning and coordination of joint activities.
• Effective identification, promotion, and follow-up of UNODC programme opportunities and visibility.

Manage the coordination and administrative tasks and contributions for the management of the UN JPHR drug component and overall UNODC engagement in the Philippines as required, focusing on:

• Efficient management and implementation of coordination, liaison, and administrative tasks.
• Expert contributions to monitoring and evaluation of technical assistance activities throughout project life cycle; drafting of project reports as required.
• Familiarity with and strict adherence to UN administrative rules and regulations in connection with theorganization and implementation of technical assistance activities.

Contribute to resource mobilization, partnership-building, and programme advocacy for the UN JPHR, focusing on:

• Establishment and maintenance of effective stakeholder relationships.
• Efficient communication and programme’s information flow with potential external partners.
• Effective advocacy about the sub-programme and its relevant activities and achievements in variousfora, with a view to future strategic partnerships.
• Formulation of funding proposals and implementation reports, with an analysis of evidence of progress towards planned outputs and outcomes.
• Promotion of the programme’s initiatives and achievements through information and communication technology tools, including social media, in line with UN guidelines, rules and regulations.

Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies and Selection Criteria

CORE

PROFESSIONALISM:

Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches of the relevant aspects in drug prevention and treatment, health, and human rights. Has knowledge of policies and practices on drugs and health, as well as in the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has very good research and analytical skills. Is able to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Is able to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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, AND MANAGING PERFORMANCE: 

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.

COMMUNICATION:

Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others; Speaks andwrites 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 formatto match audience; shows openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Recruitment Qualifications

Education:

• Doctor degree holder in international relations, law, security studies, political sciences, sociology, developmentmanagement, or a related field is required.
• A Master’ degree in similar fields in combination with four additional years of qualifying experience may beaccepted in lieu of the doctor degree.
• Specialization in human rights, legal, and related aspects of drug-related issues and criminal justice responses isdesirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years (with a Doctor’s degree) or 10 year (Master’s degree holder) of professional experience in implementing technical assistance projects and provision of advisory services on health and drugs, with a focus on criminal justice and human rights aspects is required.
• Knowledge of and professional experience in supporting the implementation of the three international drug control conventions of 1961, 1971 and 1988, the UNGASS on the World Drug Problem, and relevant UN Human Rights Council frameworks, declarations and plans of action is required.
• Extensive knowledge of the political and related dynamics of the Philippines, including the role and functioning of relevant, national, sub-regional and regional entities is desirable.
• Work experience in the planning, organization, and delivery of technical assistance activities on relevant issues with counterparts in the ASEAN region is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in implementing and monitoring joint programmes with multiple international partners and government counterparts is desirable.
• Work experience at the international level is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required.
• Fluency in Tagalog is required.
• Knowledge of one or more of the languages of the Philippines is desirable.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Other Requirements:

• Experience in using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages is required.
• Knowledge in using online communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams is required.
• Experience in handling web-based management systems.