Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Country Office in Nigeria (CONGA), Division for Operations (DO) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Abuja, Nigeria. The incumbent works under the overall supervision of the UNODC Representative for Nigeria, and the substantive guidance of the Nigeria Counter-Terrorism Project Coordinator, with the additional supervision of the Chief, Implementation Support Section (ISS) II of the Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), UNODC, at headquarters in Vienna, Austria. For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within the assigned authority, the incumbent will provide substantive, coordination and administrative support with the implementation of project activities specifically for Nigeria, aimed at strengthening the capacities of criminal justice counterparts to prevent and counter terrorism. The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties/tasks:

Assist in the planning and implementation of technical and capacity building assistance activities for Nigeria, aimed at strengthening the capacities of criminal justice and other relevant counterparts to prevent and counter terrorism, violent extremism and related crimes.
Provide administrative, logistical and organizational support to the implementation of capacity-building projects, including assisting with procurement, recruitment processes, and budget tracking; identify problems and issues to be addressed and recommend corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; track follow-up actions.
Support the delivery of substantive presentations and technical briefings tailored to counterparts on issues relevant to terrorism prevention, including in French to facilitate interaction with Lake Chad Basin region partners.
Assist in the development of project proposals, including by supporting consultations with counterparts and donors, and contribute to the preparation of project proposal narratives and budgets.
Support the preparation of project reports and contribute to monitoring and evaluation activities.
Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
Provide assistance to ensure that the work programme and the activities are carried out in coordination with other relevant entities, including UNODC regional desk, country and regional offices and other global programmes as well as with other international/regional organizations and Member States, under the guidance of senior staff.
Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, including background papers, briefing material/notes, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications and, as required, official correspondence of the Office.
Provide support to programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office, such as the preparation of workplans.
Undertake travel as it may be required.
Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to counter- terrorism. Has knowledge of the mandates of UNODC. Has ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Is able to organize technical assistance workshops, meetings, conferences, seminars at the national and regional level, including their substantive, logistic, administrative, and financial aspects. Is able to support project management including project monitoring. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, has knowledge in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the subject matters. 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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues 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: 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, international law, criminology, criminal justice, international relations, political science, security studies, public administration, development studies, social sciences, or related discipline is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Applicants to positions at this level who have an advanced university degree in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. For applicants who have a first level university degree, two additional years of qualifying work experience is required. A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in the development and implementation of counter-terrorism capacity building projects, including their substantive, logistic, communication and administrative aspects, as well as in the delivery of technical presentations in appropriate thematic areas is desirable. Work experience in supporting the implementation of European Union funded projects, including budget monitoring, financial reporting, results-based management, and compliance with donor requirements is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations system or another similar international organization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III	UN Level III

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This temporary position is available for six months. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period, will normally be at a staff member’s personal grade and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Payment of Special Post Allowance (SPA) to the post level may be considered after three months subject to certain conditions. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Abuja is classified in the B category (family duty station). Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

Assistant Programme Officer (Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice) - Temporary