Jobs - 83346- 1914 Intern with UNODC (Drug demand reduction)

1914 Intern with UNODC (Drug demand reduction) - re-advertisement

Location :

Belgrade, SERBIA

Type of Contract :

Internship

Starting Date :

06-May-2019

Application Deadline :

29-Apr-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Intern

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months, May – July 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Purpose

The purpose of this Internship is to provide administrative and technical support to UNODC Regional Programme for South East Europe in the implementation of drug demand reduction project activities in the period of February – July 2019. The activities will mainly relate to the implementation of drug demand reduction component of the Regional Programme for South East Europe, including data collection and analysis of drug use prevention and treatment of substance use disorders activities.

Objective

The objective is to contribute to drug use prevention and drug dependence treatment and care efforts by assisting the programme implementation with data collection, analysis and related programme support.

Background Information

South East Europe is linked to one of the most established international illicit drug distribution routes, especially for heroin, but also for cocaine and cannabis. This trafficking route undoubtedly carries a burden on the drug demand situation, particularly when compounded by the specific vulnerabilities within these countries.

The South East European region is characterized by upper-middle-income economies, with the exception of lower-middle-income Kosovo (under UNSC Resolution 1244) (World Bank, 2015) and has high rates of unemployment in many countries (reaching 25%-35% in some instances). Such a socio-demographic situation coupled with the aforementioned geo-political rapid and major transition, and the additional challenges that the region has experienced since then, can generate structural conditions conducive to a ‘risk environment’ for illicit drug use and for the responses to it, particularly with regard to problem drug use and related health and social consequences.

Drug demand data and research from the region is gradually expanding but still do not provide a clear description of the situation. The available data from school student (15-16 years old) studies indicate that all South East European countries tend to have relatively similar substance use situation within this age demographic. Estimated lifetime substance use of any illicit substance falls between 4% and 8% (2.5 times lower than the European average). The drug most commonly used substance in this age group is cannabis (ranging between 2% and 8% lifetime use per country). There is also evidence of greater use of sedatives without prescription among young women than among their male counterparts[1].

General population studies on drug use within the region remain limited, with some countries indicating a prevalence of 8% of the population aged 18-64 years having used any illicit drug in the past. Available general population studies indicate that cannabis is the most commonly used substance lifetime (10.6% in Serbia – 2006), followed by ecstasy (1.9%) and cocaine (1.3%).

UNODC has been present in the region since 1990s and is currently implementing the overarching Regional Programme for the period 2016-2019, as well as various thematic programmes, including GLOK01 and GLOK32, as identified in close consultations with the Governments.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of PTR Section and the overall supervision of the UNODC Programme Officer (Europe Team, Regional Section for Europe, West and Central Asia), the Intern will be expected to perform the following tasks:

Conduct data collection and research on drug demand reduction situation in the South East Europe region and contribute to the preparation of background documents, presentations, summaries, reports talking points and speeches.
Assist in the preparation of technical assistance workshops, meetings, high-level events and conferences;
Attend and take notes at meetings;
Perform other tasks as necessary.

Competencies

Interested in working in public health domain in an international organization;
Able to communicate effectively both in English and Serbian language;
Ability to work independently and in a team;
Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
Responds positively to feedback and different points of view;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Enjoys sharing knowledge and experience;
Displays sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age.

Required Skills and Experience

Successful candidate should be on final year of studies or at the postgraduate level in the domain of Medical Science, Public Health and Social Science.

Internship duration:

The normal duration of internship is no less than six weeks and no more than six months. Internship assignments are available on a part-time and full-time basis throughout the year, depending on the availability of meaningful assignments and the needs and capacity of offices to receive and supervise interns.

Status

Interns are considered gratis personnel. They are not staff members. Interns may not be sought or accepted as substitutes for staff to be recruited against authorized posts. Interns may not represent UN in any official capacity.

Medical Insurance

Applicants for internship must show proof of valid medical and life/accident insurance for the duty station for which they will work. UNODC accepts no responsibility for the medical insurance of an intern or compensation in the event of death, injury or illness during an internship.

Expenses

The United Nations does not remunerate interns in any way. Costs and arrangements for travel, visas, and accommodation and living expenses are the responsibility of the interns or their sponsoring institutions. Interns will not be entitled to any compensation for travel arrangements to and from the work location.
Interns do not receive a salary or emoluments from the United Nations.

Other Relevant Information

1) Interns cannot apply for any UN vacancies during the period of internship.
2) Should an offer of employment be envisaged, a 3-month break from the end of the internship must be respected.
The intern must keep confidential any and all unpublished information made known during the course of the internship and not publish any reports or paper on the basis of information obtained except with the written approval and authorization of UNODC PO.

Responsibilities and obligations of the receiving office and the supervisor:

It is the responsibility of the receiving UNODC Programme Office to create a working environment conducive to an intern's learning and professional development. The supervisor shall:

Seek to ensure that the intern's assignment is related to the UNODC’s mandate in Serbia, is meaningful for both the office and the intern and has the appropriate level of complexity and variety for the proposed length of internship;
Be responsible for the content of the internship assignment, which should, where feasible, be explained fully to the intern prior to the commencement of the internship;
Monitor the intern throughout the internship period to ensure that assignments are rewarding and focused and outputs relevant and appropriate.

Special Note

UNODC internships are performed strictly on a non-remunerative basis. The intern must make his/her own arrangements concerning all expenses associated with the internship, including living expenses and travel costs.

The intern is personally responsible for and must provide proof of adequate and regular medical insurance and must maintain such insurance during the internship.

Mandatory UNODC requirements for internship

In order to qualify for an internship at UNODC Programme Office in Serbia, the candidate needs to meet the following enrolment conditions:

Enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).
Enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent).
Have graduated with a university degree (as defined above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

The successful candidate will be asked to provide, prior to commencing work, the following documentation:

A signed UNODC Internship Agreement;
Medical Certificate of Good Health;
Proof of medical insurance valid for Serbia; and
Proof of life/accidental death insurance valid for Serbia.

Applications not in accordance with the mandatory requirements will NOT be considered.