Background

This position is with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG). The National Programme Officer, Drug Demand Reduction will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative, and direct supervision of the Project Expert, Drug Demand Reduction. S/he will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of activities aimed at increasing national entities’ capacity to manage drug treatment, rehabilitation and prevention through the creation of a reliable network of quality drug prevention, treatment, care and rehabilitation service providers, under Outcome 3 of the project, in line with written guidelines and instructions developed by UNODC on project management cycle and project implementation.   

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in the development, and ensure timely implementation of workplans pertaining to drug demand reduction activities under the project;
• Closely support project activities benefitting Non-State Actors;
• Provide advice to the Project Expert as well as other members of the project team as appropriate on local considerations and reality for proper and effective implementation of activities related to drug prevention, treatment, care and rehabilitation;
• Identify, verify, and vet various and individuals suitable for carrying out various activities, in support to Non-State Actors, and building collaboration and partnership between them and State Actors.
• Establish appropriate relationships with drug control institutions and their Focal Points, for their active participation in the project;
• Ensure that all progress reports, pertaining to drug demand reduction activities, are prepared in a timely manner and that their quality and details are up to standard;
• In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, assist in the periodic review of the monitoring and evaluation system of project activities;
• Document best practices and lessons learnt in working with State and Non-State Actors to improve their capacity in delivering drug prevention, treatment, care and rehabilitation services, in a manner that can be shared and disseminated to various stakeholders;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

 

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to drug control in Nigeria in general and more specifically in drug demand reduction;
• Knowledgeable of programme management cycle, including monitoring & evaluation tools and reporting on results, in particular as regards project impact and areas of improvement;
• Ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues;
• Shows 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, including ability to prepare reports, make presentations in a variety of fora, and 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; is 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 them informed and anticipate problems;
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to clients.

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; is 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, criminology, public or business administration, public health, political and social sciences or related fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of progressive professional experience in drug control in general and drug demand reduction in particular is required, specifically in drug abuse prevention, treatment, care or rehabilitation in a national, international or civil society organization;
• At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in project management, coordination work, capacity building or partnership with national or international governmental/non-governmental drug control institutions required;
• Substantial experience in results-based management, project monitoring, reporting and evaluation an asset;
• Work experience in the United Nations System or European Union funded projects would be an advantage.

Language:

• 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.