Background

This position is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria (CONIG). The Coordination and Partnerships Officer will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative, and direct supervision of the Project Officer, Anti-Corruption Agencies(ACAs) Coordination and Partnerships. S/he will also be responsible for the liaison between UNDP and UNODC in the implementation of the project component on civil society empowerment. S/he will also actively maintain in the Core Project Unit close partnership with all ACAs benefiting from the project and assist in activities pertaining to inter Anti-Corruption Agencies. S/he will work in close teaming with other colleagues in the Core Project Unit to create synergy and ensure full coordination between activities related to training and capacity building, coordination among ACAs and provision of support to CSOs for anti-corruption activities. S/he will support efforts designed to extend anti-corruption partnerships between the project and various counterparts, including private sector entities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Coordination and Partnerships Officer will: 

• Participate in the development, and ensure timely implementation of workplans pertaining to and the strengthening of collaboration among beneficiary anti-corruption agencies under the project;
• Closely link with UNDP on all aspects of implementation of activities benefitting CSOs;
• Provide advice to the Project Officer and the Project Coordinator as well as the broader CONIG team as appropriate on local considerations and reality for proper and effective implementation of project coordination and partnership building work;
• Identify, verify, and vet various entities and individuals suitable for carrying out various activities, in support to ACAs coordination, collaboration and partnership building;
• Establish appropriate relationships with beneficiary anti-corruption agencies and their focal points, considering local structures, practices, sensitivities, and other considerations;
•  Coordinate monthly focal points meetings with representatives of all benefitting ACAs;
• Support the five working groups established under the project, and other coordination platforms such as the Interagency Task Team (IATT);
• Create and maintain a database of useful contacts, particularly of beneficiary agencies and stakeholders
• Support the project logistically when needed in implementing activities in accordance with the approved plans of operation (e.g. prepare draft budgets, organize workshops, seminars etc.);
• Ensure that all progress reports, pertaining to coordination and partnership 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 put in place by UNDP;
• Document best practices and lessons learnt in working with ACAs to improve their capacity for coordination and partnership, in a manner that can be shared and disseminated to various stakeholders;
• Perform administrative duties to support project activities as and when the need arises;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the enhancement of inter-ACAs coordination in Nigeria, CSOs to better combat corruption, and foster partnership;
• Knowledge of best practices/approaches for coordination;
• 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, social sciences or related fields.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of progressive professional experience in anti-corruption work, good governance, the rule of law, and criminal justice, or a related field;
• At least 1 year of experience in grant management, project management, coordination work and partnership building. Knowledge of anti-corruption and organized crime as they relate to Nigeria is 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:

• For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;
• Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.