United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates entrusted to me from across the United Nations system; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 38 Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations system and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) was established in September 2011 to promote international counter-terrorism cooperation and support Member States in the implementation of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. The General Assembly has welcomed the establishment of UNCCT within the CTITF Office and encouraged Member States to collaborate with the Centre (A/RES/66/10). 

Under the supervision of the UNCCT Programme Officer, and through consultations with experts and practitioners from UNOCT and entities, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting capacity-building project management and programme development within UNCCT relating to counter-terrorism and cyber-security:

• Assist in further developing UNCCT programmatic objectives and activities, including through supporting the drafting of Advisory Board reports and Donor reports;
• Assist programme management by supporting project preparation and conceptualization to counter terrorism, enhance cyber-security, prevent cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, and employ the internet for counterterrorism purposes; drafting project documents; drafting budget estimates in order to foster implementation of projects relating to Pillar II of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and the UNCCT strategic priorities and objectives;
• Research, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources on counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, internet governance, and the use of the internet for terrorist purposes;
• Keep abreast of new developments of cyber-security technology and policy;
• Assist in setting project objectives, outcomes and outputs for the monitoring of work progress based on agreed programmes and assist in the reviewing of their deliverables, evaluating performance at project stage boundaries and reporting to the oversight boards of UNCCT projects, including other UN entities, beneficiaries, Donors and Advisory Board members in order to guarantee and improve, accountability, efficiency and transparency of UNCCT; 
• Assist in preparing meetings, including the quarterly UNCCT Advisory Board meetings and briefings for Member States and CTITF entities, speeches, and other presentations for Member States, Donors, UN leadership and committees, and other stakeholders. Required input for presentations includes both graphic and written information;
• Coordinate with relevant Units of UNOCT and support inter-agency coordination and coherence based on the mandate of UNOCT on identifying key objectives and priorities as well as the management of specific projects with regard to the UNCCT project portfolio. Support UNOCT Office in its efforts to improve the coherency of UN counter-terrorism action;
• Assist in drafting reports, researching relevant background documentation on counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, the use of the internet for terrorist purposes, and related subjects;
• Prepare talking points and background notes related to the mandate of UNOCT and its UNCCT;
• Other tasks as appropriate.

Supervision: 

• Direct Supervision by: Programme Officer (P-3), UNCCT, Cluster II (countering terrorism), under the overall supervision by the Chief of the Capacity Building Unit

Content and methodology of supervision:

• The JPO will be supervised on a day-to-day basis. An annual work plan will be agreed upon with the supervisor at the start of the assignment, and will be updated as needed. There will be a review and planning discussion with the supervisor on a regular basis. A staff performance review will be conducted every year (including mid-term review) in line with UN rules and regulations.

Learning Elements: 

Upon completion of the assignment, the JPO will have:

• A good understanding of the mandate, programme and operations of the UN, UNOCT, counter-terrorism entities and their activities, policy relating to cyber-security and internet governance as well as their interagency coordination in relation to the four Pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, including in particular Pillar II; 
• An in-depth understanding of the work of the United Nations in the field of peace and security, with a focus on conflict prevention and crisis management;
• Experience in providing analysis and advice to senior UN officials on counter-terrorism and cyber-security;
• Experience in producing original research on issues of current geopolitical importance with regard to counterterrorism and cyber-security;
• Enhanced skills in programme development and project management; 
• Enhanced skills in report writing and presentations;
• Enhanced skills in various subjects through UN trainings; 
• A network of colleagues from the United Nations, Member States as well as academia and civil society on issues pertaining to counter-terrorism and peace and security in general;
• Experience in planning, time management and working effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Professionalism 

• Accumulated professional competency in project management; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of counter-terrorism, cyber-security, and the use of the internet for terrorist purposes, and capacity building; 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.

 Planning and 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. 

Technological Awareness

• Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

• Advanced university degree in political science, international law, international relations or other relevant field.

Work experience

• Minimum of 2 years of work experience in international affairs, and proven experience in drafting reports and summaries on counter-terrorism, cyber-security, or political matters, as well as in conducting research and providing timely input on policy questions;
• Good knowledge of United Nations and other counter-terrorism conventions, instruments and documents, in particular the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its four pillars as well as international discussions on cyber-security and internet governance;
• Project management experience is an asset. Experience with cyber-security and the use of the internet as it relates to counter-terrorism efforts is an asset;
• Experience in facilitation of professional workshops/conferences is an asset. Familiarity with Prince2 project management methodology is an asset. 

Languages

•  Fluency in oral and written English is required;
• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.