Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Dakar, Senegal. The incumbent will support the Synthetic Drug Strategy managed by the Portfolio Management and Outreach (PMO) team of the Laboratory and Scientific Services (LSS), Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch (DLSSB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA) of UNODC and will work under the direct supervision of the Regional Representative of ROSEN and the technical guidance of the Project Coordinator, UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy (SDS), based in Vienna For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org ResponsibilitiesWithin assigned authority, the incumbent will support regional coordination, promotion and implementation of the activities of the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy and LSS Global Forensic Science and Services Programme portfolios of capacity building and technical assistance, and be responsible for the following specific duties: • Develop workplans for the timely achievement of SDS regional activities’ outcomes and outputs. • Jointly with the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy team, as appropriate, prepare all necessary programme progress reports and implementation delivery rate reports. • Coordinate the preparation of information materials (brochures, web-stories, posters, etc.) in support of the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy; disseminate materials to governments, donors, NGOs, and the general public, as appropriate. • Engage with SDS implementing countries in the region to promote and implement the guidance presented in the Synthetic Drug Strategy and maximize the utility of the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs. • Work with countries in West Africa to develop, articulate and implement tailored and measurable national synthetic drug strategies / action plans that are modelled after the UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy, encouraging comprehensive approaches involving government coordination and maximizing the utility and knowledge of the UN Toolkit on Synthetic Drugs. • Coordinate and represent UNODC Synthetic Drug Strategy field level activity on synthetic drugs within UNODC and across various partner UN agencies, regional organizations and regional bodies, ensuring coordination at the regional level. • Act as regional West Africa focal point for the Synthetic Drug Strategy, responsible for regularly briefing relevant national counterparts and donor communities and enhancing direct reporting on impact. • Work hand in hand with policymakers to ensure adoption of national legislation that is supportive of effective comprehensive responses to the synthetic drug problem. • Produce semi- annual situation analysis and implementation reports on related UNODC and other implicated agencies’ related activities in West Africa. • Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources. Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc. • Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conduct training workshops, seminars, etc.; make presentations on assigned topics/activities. • As required, guide and coordinate the work of other Synthetic Drug Strategy personnel, including professional and general administrative support staff members, mentor and guide consultants, interns in their work, towards achieving the Synthetic Drug Strategy objectives. • Support and participate in field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Coordinate activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). • Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other work-related duties as required. Competencies• Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence, knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to international drug control and, in particular to synthetic drugs and related emerging trends. Has good understanding of United Nations programme policies, guidelines and procedures and knowledge of relevant programmes and mandates of UNODC. Has strong analytical skills with the ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Has strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills, including proven ability to communicate effectively with government officials. Is able to conduct data collection using various methods. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Is able to draft reports and papers clearly and concisely. Has good understanding/conceptual knowledge of information systems and electronic communication platforms. Is able to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Is able to work in a multi-cultural environment. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; 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. Is able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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 informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, social sciences, criminology, management or a related field 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. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in drug control and crime prevention is required. Of the minimum years, at least three years of work experience in project development, management, fundraising and partnership building is required. Of the minimum years, at least three years of experience working with counterparts in West Africa is required. Work experience in an international or regional organization is desirable. Work experience in development, implementation and reporting on national action plans related to drug control is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language relevant to the assigned region is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis \"Recruit from Roster\" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered for this job opening. Roster applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are qualified, interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the position, if selected. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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. Dakar is classified in the A category (family duty station). United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. 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