Programme Officer (Criminal Justice) Mid level

Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Pretoria, South Africa. The Programme Officer (Criminal Justice) will work under overall supervision of the UNODC Representative for Southern Africa and will obtain substantive support from the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section (CPCJS) in Vienna. For more information on UNODC, please visit our website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will perform the following specific duties: •Contribute to the overall implementation and substantive refinement of UNODC Regional Programme for Southern Africa, with a focus on the thematic pillar concerning gender-based violence against women and girls. •Carry out the ongoing review, monitoring and analysis of social, economic, and political developments and trends in the Criminal justice and related areas at the national and regional levels and guide UNODC ROSAF on any implications for UNODC activities in the Criminal Justice area. •Coordinate the development and implementation of the ROSAF Portfolio in Criminal Justice with a focus on projects and activities addressing gender-based violence. •Act as the key resource person for UNODC ROSAF in UN coordination mechanisms to ensure a coordinated response to the issues of gender-based violence and related criminal justice reform. •Prepare programme proposals for funding consideration and provide substantive input for other activities to promote, support and obtain funding. •Monitor and analyze programme development and implementation and support ROSAF’s cooperation with relevant partners, notably the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat. •Contribute to the development and implementation, as assigned, of technical assistance projects and their component activities, against gender-based violence. •Provide substantive and technical expertise for the formulation, implementation, and assessment of projects, including the collection and compilation of relevant background data and information. •Monitor the expenditures and utilization of funds in the assigned areas of responsibility; draft parts of or contribute to the preparation of the necessary programme or project documents and reports, such as progress reports, work plans, programme budget, programme performance reports. •Organize and prepare all written outputs relating to the project background papers, assessments, analysis, reports, and studies etc. •Facilitate and provide training and other capacity-building assistance for criminal justice professionals, including the development of related technical material. In particular, design and facilitate regional and national training activities targeted to criminal justice stakeholders related to gender-based violence. •Design, prepare and/or facilitate standardized training materials. Contribute to updating, by reviewing and revising, relevant UNODC training and capacity-building tools, promote their use and application by respective target groups. Compile information on best practices in the response to gender-based violence. •Coordinate the preparation and submission of substantive and technical inputs, reports and other documentation required from UNODC HQ, donors and other stakeholders in a timely manner and to the highest standard of quality. •Supervise consultants or national programme/project staff. •Contribute to planning, supervising and coordinating relevant programme and project evaluations. •Participate in improving the visibility of the programme through public information and targeted outreach among donors and other relevant stakeholders. •Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. •Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to crime prevention and criminal justice. Has very good understanding of international and regional standards, policies and strategies relating to gender-based violence, in the SADC region specifically. Has knowledge of policies and practices in international crime prevention, as well as the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has knowledge of and specialization in substantive and functional areas with good analysis skills, as well as social development and research skills. Is able to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet, and other databases. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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: 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. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, gender, criminology, violence against women and girls, or related is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in criminal justice, social development or related area is required. At least four years of experience working in gender-based violence prevention and response is required. Experience in project or programme development, management and administration in the field of justice response to gender-based violence is required Working experience with counterparts in the field is desirable. Working experience in the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable. Working experience in providing training and technical assistance to criminal justice officials on gender-based violence is desirable. Working experience in assisting Member States in enhancing forensics and medical legal evidence in gender-based violence cases is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.  At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pretoria is classified in the A category (family duty station).

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE 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.