Background

This position is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria (CONIG).Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Country Representative and direct supervision the Head of Programme / Programme Management Officer (PMO), the National Programme Officer will assist in developing, monitoring, and administering the implementation of UNODC assisted programmes and projects in Nigeria, specifically those funded by the European Union (EU). S/he will foster collaboration and synergies among the three EU funded projects on drugs and crime, anti corruption, and support to the justice sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Programme Officer – Coordination will:

• Elaborate and formulate project summaries, proposals, and other related documentation for review and final approval
• Support the formulation and implementation of UNODC’s County Programme Framework to strengthen national  capacity and intervention in UNODC mandated areas
• Draft substantive inputs for the Country Programme Framework, Country Profile, Annual Reports and UNODC inputs for  joint reports / documents of the UN system
• Monitor and expedite inter-projects’ synergy through discussions, correspondence, field visits, and follow-ups.
  
• Prepare,and where necessary, provide guidance in the provision of project revisions, budget reviews, work plans and other documents as and when appropriate. Monitor  UNODC’S collation and submission of annual and semi-annual project and    progress reports.
• Assist the PMO / Head of Programme to ensure optimum synergy of projects in building mechanisms for structural reform, improved drugs / crime/ corruption data gathering, reporting, and enforcement.
• Support the UNODC Representative and the PMO / Head of Programme in coordinating the work of the UN Task Force on Drugs and Crime within the UN Country Team.
• Animate the work of the UN Task Force on Drugs and Crime, at technical level, towards the inclusion of these themes   into the new UNDAF for Nigeria.
• Participate in the UN Country Team Inter Agency fora and meetings to enhance and develop UN cooperation and coordination, identifying areas of joint common interest with other UN agencies in the process
• Initiate, maintain and develop contacts and communication with government agencies, ministry organs and entities at   appropriate levels, NGOs, bilateral and multi-lateral donor agencies for exchange of information, program development,  coordination, evaluation and follow up.
•  Represent UNODC in meeting, conferences, seminars, workshops, and other fora as and when required in relation to  EU funded projects thematic areas of intervention
•  Prepare speakers notes, talking points, speeches for major advocacy events and fora, briefing notes in relation to the   EU funded projects
• Perform any other duty as may be required by the UNODC Country Representative and PMO / Head of Programme.
•  Effective and active participation in the monitoring of UNDAF II and the development / implementation of UNDAF III based on the UNDAF results matrix and the UNDAF Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, in relation to UNODC contribution  to the UNDAF process
•  Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the enhancement of UNODC and Government of Nigeria’s work to combat corruption, drugs and crime; knowledgeable of programme management cycle, including monitoring & evaluation tools and reporting on results, in particular as regards project impact and areas of improvement;
  
• Excellent knowledge of UN Country Team and UNDAF processes;
  
• Ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues;
• Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• 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:

• Proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively with a range of audiences, including ability to prepare reports and make presentations in a variety of fora;
• Capacity to conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues, articulating options concisely, conveying maximum necessary information as well as making and defending recommendations;
• Possesses excellent drafting and communication skills with proven ability to write in a clear and concise manner and to match style and format to audience.

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;
• Not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Client Orientation:

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
• Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Teamwork:

• Proven interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Works collaboratively with colleagues within and outside of UNODC to achieve organizational goals;
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• 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 & Organizing:

• Able to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work while prioritizing competing demands;
  
• Able to work on tight deadlines;
• Knowledge on how to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and projects as necessary;
• Uses time efficiently

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree)  in law, development studies, public or business administration  social sciences, or related fields. 

Experience:

• A minimum of  6 years work experience, with exposure in development activities, criminal justice, law enforcement and programme or project management. Experience in an international development organisation, or internationally recognised NGO would be an advantage. Work experience in the United Nations System or European Union funded projects would be an asset.

Languages:

• English 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 asset.

The UN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.