Org. Setting and Reporting

The post is located in the UNODC Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the general guidance of the ROEA Representative and the direct supervision of the UNODC Head of the Criminal Justice Programme.

For more information on UNODC, please visit our website: www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for providing substantive and technical expertise in the area of programme management, implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation in conformity with UN rules and regulation, and policies for the implementation of the Alternative to Imprisonment Project in Kenya. S/he will work in close cooperation with the National Council on Administration of Justice (NCAJ) Secretariat of the Government of Kenya (GoK). Within assigned authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties:

•Provide substantive and technical support, coordination and guidance for the development and implementation of the Alternatives to Imprisonment Project in Kenya.

•Work closely with the National Council on Administration of Justice (NCAJ) Secretariat to prepare and disseminate relevant programme documents on Alternative to Imprisonment for review by the relevant institutions.

•Support, coordinate and monitor project implementation and activities and coordinate and liaise with the GoK counterparts, donors and other stakeholders.

•Identify technical assistance needs for capacity building and propose a sustainable strategy to reform and strengthen the prison sector in Kenya.

•Guide, coordinate and support the efforts and contributions of consultants, experts, UNODC’s project personnel, donors, and government institutions towards the achievement of the programme’s objectives.

•Prepare and disseminate work-plans, terms of reference, and other UNODC’s project-related documentation.

•Raise awareness of the government counterparts and donors on the use of UNODC manuals, handbooks, guides, standards and norms related to Prison reforms.
•Ensure that operations, budgetary and financial administration, procurement, logistics, liaison and communication activities assigned to the programme are conducted according to UNODC standards and procedures and follow-up on input/actions to be taken.

•Organize and support training courses, seminars, working groups, workshops and study tours, ensure timely selection of candidates and submission of reports from participants upon completion of the related activities.

•Monitor progress of UNODC’s project implementation, plan, coordinate and solve operational issues, prepare budget revisions and prepare reports on programme implementation for the UNODC ROEA Representative, and other senior officials of ROEA and UNODC Headquarters.

•Enhance the collaboration with other international, bi-lateral and non-governmental organizations active in the area of Police reform in Kenya.

•Perform other work related duties as required.

Competencies

•Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to criminal justice, police reforms, law enforcement and/or related fields. Has knowledge of policies and practices in international crime prevention and criminal justice as well as the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has very good research and analytical skills and is able to identify problems and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Is able 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 subject matter; 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.

•Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount to solve problems to 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. 

•Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in criminal justice, criminology, law, political science, management or other relevant 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

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in criminal justice, police reform, law enforcement and/or related fields, is required. Work experience within an international organization or the United Nations system is required. Programme development experience in the area of criminal justice, police reform, prison reform and/or law enforcement is required. Programme management experience is required. Working experience of the political situation in the Horn of Africa and the Eastern Africa region is required. Experience in budgetary and financial administration and procurement is highly desirable. Working experience with European Union (EU)-funded projects is desirable. Documented experience in organizing workshops is an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English with good drafting ability, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 

Nairobi is classified as a B and family duty station.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

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.