Background

The position is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria (CONIG). Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNODC Representative, the National Project Officer (NPO) will provide direct substantive inputs and support to the planning, coordination and implementation of activities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to security threats through enhanced border control in Nigeria. S/he will work in close consultation with other colleagues within the project, to create synergy and ensure full coordination of project activities. S/he will support efforts designed to extend CONIG’s partnerships with various counterparts, including, state governments and authorities, civil society organizations, and private sector entities.

 

Brief Description of the Project:

The objective of the project is to support Nigeria’s border control efforts aimed at preventing illicit trafficking in the North-East geopolitical zone of the country, which is the most affected by the ongoing terrorist insurgency. The project aims to achieve this through the training of border control officers from the five key Law Enforcement Agencies involved in land border management and control in the country. The officers to be trained would be selected from five land border-areas from the North-East geo-political zone of the country namely, Belel and Sarti Gurin borders in Adamawa State; Gamboru and Banki borders in Borno State; Tulutulo border in Yobe State and Gembu border in Taraba State. The capacity building would ensure adherence to the rule of law and continuous support for improvements in cross border control efforts through a mentorship approach.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide substantive and liaison support to project activities, particularly those focusing on capacity building for investigators/law enforcement prosecutors and inter-agency collaboration.
  • Coordinate and liaise regularly on project activities planning and implementation with relevant sections of UNODC Headquarters in Vienna, national partners (including designated focal points and other senior professionals) and staff of UNODC Country Office in Nigeria.
  • Ensure that all necessary information (substantive and financial) for project implementation, including the formulation of reports, budget expenditure analysis, are prepared and presented to the Country Representative in a timely manner and that their quality and details are up to UN standard, and where applicable, providing all the necessary support information.
  • Advise on local considerations and realities for proper and effective project implementation, as well as on ways to strengthen partnerships with beneficiary institutions.
  • Follow-up on communication with beneficiary institutions, including drafting of official letters, request for technical assistance, and the process of identification of participants and national experts, including trainers, for activities under the project.
  • Support the development, in close collaboration with beneficiary institutions and other partners, of materials to support training and capacity building activities addressing criminal justice practitioners.
  • Carry out programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the achievement of expected results of the project; provide substantive inputs to related funding proposals and technical briefings.
  • Perform all other duties as may be assigned by the UNODC Representative.

 

Competencies

Professionalism:

  • Knowledge and understanding of the theories, concepts and approaches relevant to investigations; knowledge of investigation case management, intelligence – gathering,  interviewing of suspects and witnesses; good research skills, analytical and problem-solving skills; demonstrated professional competence and expertise in the criminal justice aspects of multidimensional security; knowledge of policies and practices in crime prevention and criminal justice on the national, regional and international levels; knowledge of programme management cycle, including monitoring & evaluation; knowledge of reporting on results, in particular as regards project impact and areas of improvement; ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Takes pride in work and in achievements; 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

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

Teamwork

  • Proven interpersonal skills and 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 inputs by genuinely valuing others ideas and expertise; demonstrates willingness 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

  • The post holder should be able to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate, and monitor work while prioritizing competing demands; able to work on tight deadlines and demonstrate good knowledge on how to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Foresees risks and prepares for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and projects as necessary; uses time efficiently.

 

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Post-graduate University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, international law, criminal investigation, police studies or related fields is required. A first-level University degree in combination with ten (10) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a post-graduate University degree. 

Experience:

  • A minimum of 5 years of progressive relevant experience in project implementation and management is required, especially in planning/implementation of capacity building activities targeting the law enforcement and criminal justice entities in Nigeria. Evidence-based experience in results-based management, project monitoring, reporting and evaluation is required. Good knowledge of UNODC mandate and work would be an added advantage. Relevant work experience in the United Nations System and/or the justice system in Nigeria 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 spoken and written) is required; knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.

United Nations Considerations

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). 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 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 applicant's bank accounts.
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.