Project Coordination Officer

Job Title: Project Coordination Officer

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa

Assignment country: South Africa

Expected start date: 18/09/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 15. Life on land

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Expected end date: 18/09/2024

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Pretoria

Details

Mission and objectives

UNODC's mission is to contribute to global peace and security, human rights and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism.

Context

General Assembly Resolution 45/179 of 21 December 1990 with the responsibility of coordinating all drug control activities within the United Nations system. In 1997, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established through a merger between the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention and is "mandated to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations". The mission of UNODC is to contribute to the achievement of security and justice for all by making the world safer from crime, drugs and terrorism. The activities of UNODC are based on three pillars, namely, (i) research and analysis (evidence–based policies); (ii) establishment of international norms and standards (UN Conventions); and (iii) capacity-building through technical assistance. The mandate of UNODC derives from several UN conventions and General Assembly resolutions and the conclusions and recommendations of its governing bodies: The Commission on Narcotic Drugs: the central policy-making body within the United Nations system dealing with drug related matters. The Commission monitors the world drug situation, develops strategies on international drug control and recommends measures to combat the world drug problem, including through reducing demand for drugs, promoting alternative development initiatives and adopting supply reduction measures. The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ): the central body within the United Nations system dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice policy. It monitors the use and application of relevant United Nations standards and norms. The Commission offers Member States a forum to exchange expertise, experiences and information, to develop national and international strategies and to identify priorities for combating crime.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator, UNODC Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment, the UN Volunteer will: • Engage all involved parties in the implementation of GPCAE programme activities, including wildlife and forest crime; • Organize and participate in meetings and drafting of related notes; • Undertake the organization of training and capacity building for member states; • Develop terms of reference for equipment, services and goods needed for activities undertaken by the GPCAE; • Organize capacity building workshops and meetings with counterparts to explore areas of potential collaboration; • Prepare and share reports of GPCAE related meetings / workshops; • Contribute to the preparation/drafting of reports, concept notes, briefing materials, general correspondence and presentations; • Support on the ground capacity-building actions related to corruption prevention activities, and activities under the environment team actions; • Promote and share wildlife/forest data/information and best practices; • Participate at regional and international meetings related to wildlife and forest law enforcement and sustainable wildlife management; • Contribute to the implementation of activities countering illicit wildlife trafficking, and other crimes that affect the environment, at points of entry/exit of countries in the region (airports, ports and borders); • Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

5 years of experience in prosecution, investigations, advising on relevant legislation and/or intelligence and law enforcement matters at national and/or international level; • Working closely with police, prosecutors, courts, customs personnel, financial professionals and other relevant disciplines involved in the prosecution of wildlife and forest crime, and/or crimes that affect the environment is required. • Experience with preparation of court documents necessary for investigations/seizures/ prosecutions is required; • Experience in development and delivery of prosecution training and capacity building is required; • Experience in providing advice and assistance to law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the area of wildlife and forest crime, and/or other crimes that affect the environment is required; • Experience in project development and technical assistance is required; • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, and systematization of activities and reports; • Strong planning and organizing skills, including the ability to monitor and adjust actions and allocate an appropriate amount of time and resources for the tasks. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; • Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including authorities at different levels; • Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in the fight against international trafficking of illicit goods, as well as in wildlife and international cooperation on criminal matters, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. • Field experience is desirable; • Relevant experience in the Southern Africa region is desirable. • Relevant experience within the United Nations system or another international organization is desirable; • Relevant experience in promoting inter-agency collaboration amongst national counterparts and other relevant stakeholders, is desirable; • An advanced university degree in similar fields in combination with five years' experience will be regarded as an advantage; • Any other tasks as indicated by the supervisor.

Area(s) of expertise

Development programmes, Legal affairs

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required French, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable Portuguese, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Criminal justice, criminology, law, political science, management or other areas related to crimes that affect the environment.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism; • Teamwork and respect for diversity; • Commitment to continuous learning; • Planning and organizing.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The Republic of South Africa is a large country of nine provinces with different climates, races, languages, creeds, cultures, religions and human activity. The landscape is also diverse, with mountains, plains, farmlands, bushveld scrub and arid deserts, each of the many different parts supporting its own distinctive plant and animal life. The country’s multi-cultural and multi-lingual society fuses to make this “Rainbow Nation” a rich and rewarding experience for you as a United Nations official and as a visitor. Pretoria is the duty station for most UN staff. Pretoria, also called Tshwane, is the administrative capital of South Africa. Founded in 1855, its metropolitan area is in excess of 900 square kilometers. The Union Buildings are the location for the offices of the President, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials. Pretoria is located in Gauteng province, the smallest of South Africa’s nine provinces in area but the largest in population. Johannesburg, the largest city in the country, is located in Gauteng approximately 45 minutes by car from Pretoria. https://www.unv.org/

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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