This position is located in the Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Abuja, Nigeria. The Representative works under the overall guidance and supervision of the Director of the Division for Operations (DO) and oversight through the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East (RSAME).ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Representative is responsible for effectively implementing UNODC programmes and activities in Nigeria in support of Member States capacity to effectively deal with crime, drugs and terrorism. S/he will be responsible and accountable for the efficient management of all human and financial resources allocated to the programmes and the office, as well as for ensuring outputs of a high quality standard. In particular, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
• Provide overall management and coordination of the large portfolio in the country/region and ensure effective project/programme delivery;• Oversee the work of project teams and office staff and monitor that programme implementation and use of funds are consistent, substantively, technically and financially in line with the objectives set forth in the programming documents;• Guide project teams in their project cycle management tasks and quality assurance functions and provide direct approval of project documents and revisions, in conformity with UNODC Management Instructions (MI);• Manage the Office’s programme, budget and human resources and ensure the timely submission of regular substantive and financial reporting thereon;• Chair/co-chair semi-annual programme steering and review meetings and conduct programme visibility events, together with Government officials and other senior officials from partner organizations, donor countries and UN agencies;• Conduct and lead frequent programme review meetings with project teams, government counterparts, donors, partners and UN agencies to review and monitor programme progress;• Analyze programme progress against set work plans and benchmarks, identify solutions to counter delivery obstacles and effect remedial actions as and when required, in consultation with local counterparts and UNODC headquarters;• In accordance with established policies and delegated authority manage the financial and human resources of the Office, including all programme and project personnel under his/her supervision;• Provide appropriate guidance and ensure supervision of all programme and project staff, as well as the efficient and effective use of such resources;• Act as the accountable UNODC security manager for the office, programme operations, premises, personnel and assets in the country/region, under the lead of the local UN Designated Officials (DO) and in consultation with Security Management Team, and ensure appropriate security coverage for all UNODC operations; • Lead and motivate dynamic programme/project teams composed of technical experts and project managers covering diverse subject matters, fostering teamwork;• Manage a team culture focused on delivery of results and impact, by articulating and communicating clearly and persuasively to expert, generalist and policy level audiences• Formulate programme objectives for technical assistance in the country;• Explore opportunities to grow the Country Office programme portfolio in line with UNODC strategy and governments requests, increase programme volume, develop proposals and oversee their effective and timely implementation; • Lead local resource mobilization action that promotes long-term involvement and provision of financial and in-kind resources by governments, international, public and private sector donors to the work of UNODC for the core infrastructure and technical assistance programme of UNODC in the country/region;• Maintain regular consultations with counterparts to ensure that financial commitments (pledges) are timely honoured and funding gaps addressed;• Act as a catalyst for solving complex geo-political issues relating to UNODC’s programme of work in the region;• Represent UNODC’s position and interests in the assigned country/region, especially with the host country, donors and partners;• Maintain solid partnerships with institutions and senior officials from Government, civil society, regional and international aid agencies and financial institutions, parliaments, the media and lead the negotiation/conclusion of new partnership agreements;• Provide policy advice to the highest levels of Government(s) in the assigned country/region on the development of regional and national long term capacity-building in drug control and crime prevention, in order to promote adherence to and ensure consistency with the terms of the United Nations conventions, drug control treaties, the Conventions against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and Corruption (UNCAC) and the international instruments to counter terrorism, as well as with the goals and objectives of the 20th Special Session of the General Assembly;• Promote a better understanding of the importance of drug and crime related matters, encourage increased priority attention to all aspects of drug control and crime prevention, and advocate the inclusion of these issues in government planning documents as well as in relevant programmes of other bilateral, multilateral and non-governmental organizations;• Establish and maintain diplomatic partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect, demonstrating analytical and diplomatic skills in assessing client requirements and proposing new solutions;• Foster intellectual, substantive policy-level dialogue with Government on programme development in UNODC mandate areas, maintaining sensitivity to political issues.Competencies• Professionalism: Has demonstrated professional competence and mastery in programme development and execution, advocacy as well as in providing seasoned effective specialized advice on a broad range of development assistance issues and on matters related to drugs and crime. Has ability to negotiate and resolve complex and politically sensitive issues/problems with governments and cooperating institutions. Has ability to ensure adequate preparation of reports and papers on technical issues as well as rationale with respect to key technical assistance decisions. Is able to supervise and to review the work of others. Possesses up-to-date knowledge and practical experience of UN programme policies, guidelines and procedures. Has knowledge of UN rules and regulations. Has demonstrated sensitivity to geo-political issues and adaptability to complex political environments. Possesses proven negotiating and diplomatic skills and ability to assume a key role in advising counterparts and networking with national and international partners. Has capacity to stimulate intellectual, substantive policy-level dialogue with Government on programme development in drug control and crime prevention issues, and technical cooperation coordination; sensitivity to political issues and adaptability to local environment, hardship, and security/emergency situations; 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 and Organizing: 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.• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. • Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in political or social sciences, international relations, programme management, economics, law, public or business administration, or another relevant discipline is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of 15 years progressive experience with excellent performance record in international technical assistance programme management with a solid experience in the area of promoting justice and the rule of law in relation to the UNODC’s mandate on drug control and crime/terrorism prevention is required. A minimum of 10 years experience coordinating and leading the implementation of UN programmes and projects, especially at the field level, is desirable. Work experience in the above areas in UN agencies/funds/programmes or other relevant international institutions is highly desirable.
Proven administrative/financial and human resources management ability, experience in international diplomacy and demonstrable advisory and negotiation capacity is required.
Field experience with the United Nations or international/regional organizations managing technical cooperation portfolios in developing countries and complex security settings is highly desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is an advantage.
Applications are automatically pre-screened according to the published evaluation criteria of the job opening on the basis of the information provided by applicants. Applications cannot be amended following submission and incomplete applications shall not be considered. The selected candidate will be subject to a reference checking process to verify the information provided in the application.Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on “The Application Process” and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” on the upper right side of the browser on Inspira.The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. No FeeTHE 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.Interested and suitably qualified candidates should click here to apply online.
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