Jobs - 111047- National Project Officer

National Project Officer

Location :

Sarajevo, Regional Office for South Eastern Europe, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

07-Feb-23 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

11 months; Extension subject to availability of funds

UNDP 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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The National Project Officer will be responsible for backstopping day-to-day implementation of the UNODC AIRCOP activities in South-Eastern Europe under the overall umbrella of the UNODC Border Management Branch. The National Project Officer will be based at the UNODC Programme Office in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The incumbent will work under the overall framework of the UNODC AIRCOP programme. He/she carries out his/her functions under the overall guidance of the AIRCOP Law Enforcement expert and the supervision of the AIRCOP Global Coordinator and under the additional supervision of the Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The National Project Officer will be required to support the coordination and implementation of project activities to support the establishment and full operationalization of the Joint Airport Interdiction Task Forces (hereinafter “JAITFs”) in South Eastern Europe, where relevant together with the UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme (CCP), to assist in the supporting the role of the JAITFs within the airport context, promote their full integration with existing structures and advise on data collection to feed risk-based processes aimed at selecting high-risk profiles. The incumbent will support the organizational aspects of training programs at the national and regional levels to enhance the capacity of officers within the JAITFs. He/she will participate in the overall monitoring of the AIRCOP implementation in the region and handle project-related finance/admin matters. He/she will also provide analytical, narrative, and financial input for the project reporting.

The National Project Officer will support the operational side of the AIRCOP programme management to ensure that it is compliant with UNODC rules, regulations, and policies in project management. The incumbent will support the UNODC Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe in the area of effective gender mainstreaming and empowerment of women in UNODC initiatives in the region to foster access to justice and enhance a coordinated criminal justice response to gender issues.

The Airport Communication Programme is a multi-agency project based on the cooperation between UNODC, INTERPOL and the WCO that aims at strengthening the capacities of participating international airports in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, South-East Asia and South-Eastern Europe to detect and intercept drugs, illicit goods and high-risk passengers in origin, transit and destination countries with the overall objective of disrupting the illegal criminal networks. AIRCOP is implemented by UNODC in partnership with INTERPOL and the WCO and aims at rooting a culture of intelligence gathering and information sharing in regular working practices of law enforcement agencies present at international airports and at building their capacities to detect (through targeting and profiling) and interdict drugs, illicit goods, and high-risk passengers.

The Regional Programme for South-Eastern Europe (2020-2023) provides the overall platform for the UNODC involvement in South-East Europe and supports the various thematic areas of the UNODC mandate, structured along three main pillars: (I) Illicit Drug Trafficking and Transnational Organized Crime, (II) Strengthening Criminal Justice, Integrity and Legal Cooperation, (III) Prevention, Treatment, Reintegration and Care. The Programme focuses on priority actions identified in cooperation with the governments in the region and through a dialogue with national, regional and international partners. South-Eastern Europe lies on the most direct route between some of the world’s leading producer and consumer regions of opiates, and likewise serves as a transit corridor for migrants and refugees from Asia and the Middle East to Western Europe; it saw one of the world’s largest population movements in 2015-2016, as well as an influx of foreign terrorist fighters.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Project Officer will be responsible for:

Programme management:

Support the design, plan, coordination, implementation and monitoring of AIRCOP project activities in South-Eastern Europe, including the administrative and operational dimensions.
Support the AIRCOP Law Enforcement expert and Border Management Branch personnel in South Eastern Europe in the day-to-day implementation of the AIRCOP programme in South-Eastern Europe, with specific emphasis on the harmonization of the action with the UNODC Container Control Programme and facilitating the capacity-building activities including regional/national thematic workshop for the relevant counterparts in South Eastern Europe (Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North-Macedonia), support the development, customization and adoption of the SOPs and MoUs for the task forces in South Eastern Europe.
Participate in international/national workshops/conferences/working groups related to the implementation of the Programme in South-Eastern Europe.
Review, analyze and assist in the finalization of cost estimates and budget proposals and revisions related to the activities under the AIRCOP programme.
Support the monitoring of project progress against the annual work plan for activities.
Contribute to the preparation of the programme’s progress and final reports against set targets and indicators, including donor narrative. Ensure quality and consistency of internal reporting.
Support in maintaining partnerships with relevant law enforcement institutions in South-Eastern Europe and programme’s counterparts to facilitate implementation of the project, and support the development of relevant coordination mechanisms, where needed.
Support the project and the Regional Office for South-Eastern Europe in effective mainstreaming of gender equality in projects implementation and assure knowledge on gender equality is incorporated in projects knowledge management activities and products.

Budget management:

Monitor project expenditures against approved work plans and keep track of project expenditure, status of implementation and ensure compliance with United Nations financial rules and regulations; initiate project and/or budget revisions as required.
Assist in collection, verification and presentation of information and data for the preparation and monitoring of the projects budget submission to UNODC HQ.
Preparation and submission for approval of the financial reports as per donor requirements and in cooperation with the Financial Resources Management Service in UNODC HQ.
Review project budget to determine costs and variations in programme’s expenditure, amendments, reprogramming or NCE requests.
Assist in the preparation and analysis of budget proposals and budget revisions for the project, provide assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines, and verify the availability of funds.

Event Management:

Provide budget estimates and support for the organization of international, regional and national conferences, meetings, seminars, study visits, exchange programs and workshops by liaising with national authorities of the jurisdictions concerned, as well as administrative and financial departments, regarding hotel reservations, DSA payments and preparing documents such as agendas, lists of attendees and certificates.
Establish, build and sustain effective relationships with internal and external clients.

General Administrative support:

Act as regional gender focal point in UNODC Regional Office of South Eastern Europe, support the Programme’s work in effective gender mainstreaming in UNODC initiatives to ensure positive effect on gender equality and empowerment of women and support equal representation and participation of women in all thematic areas.
Draft correspondence and communication for specific aspects of the project.
Perform other duties, as assigned.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

Narrative project progress reports and financial reports provided in a timely and professional manner.
Programme/project budget maintained and managed, and any other financial/administrative reports repeated to the project provided as per request or agreed work plan.
Contacts with programme’s partners and regional/national counterparts maintained regularly.
Meetings and other activities related to the relevant programme’s implementation coordinated as per agreed work plan.
Administrative tasks, office systems and filing procedures related to the project management carried out timely and accurately.
All duties and responsibilities performed in a satisfactorily manner according to the project work plan.

Competencies

Knowledge of project management, budgetary, financial, procurement and administrative policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations/UNODC administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Ability to maintain accurate records, review and interpret a wide variety of data.
Conceptual analytical and evaluation skills to conduct independent research and analysis.
Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, and make conclusions and recommendations.
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; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills and drafting skills.
Demonstrates ability to work in a team and team spirit. Strong interpersonal skills.
Demonstrates strong IT skills and displays the knowledge in utilization of specific software, preferably Umoja SAP.
Excellent organization skills, ability to work independently, accurately, and meticulously and to deliver efficient quality outputs.
Ability to manage large volumes of work under time pressure is essential.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, International Relations, or a related discipline is required.

Experience:

At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in international organizations in the field of programme/project management including financial and budget management is required.
Experience in project implementation and working with government counterparts is required.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc) is required.
Experience in the areas of Rule of Law, Security, Criminal Justice, Organized Crime or related subjects will be considered as an advantage.
Knowledge of UNODC/UN administrative rules and procedures is perceived as an asset.
Previous experience in working with multi donor and EU funded projects in regional context is perceived as an asset.
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in oral and written English and languages of people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.