Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the UNODC Programme Office in Tunisia (POTUN) with duty station Tunis, operating under the Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) based in Cairo, Egypt. The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, based in Cairo, and the direct supervision of the Research Officer (Criminal Intelligence Analysis) in Tunis. Technical advice and support will be sought from the relevant units in UNODC headquarters in Vienna.

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

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Research Officer will perform the following specific duties:

•Plan, support, carry out and coordinate substantive research programmes and projects in MENA region and contribute to the development and implementation of regional/country studies, trend and threat assessments on criminal justice /drugs/crime/terrorism and their linkages with governance, security and development issues, including in particular relevant trans-national issues.

•Undertake research using standard social science research tools and practices and prepare, assign and coordinate the preparation of various elements of the research output, including the coordination of the work of staff and consultants.

•Identify, select relevant sources, information and data and ensure correct usage of data and information resources as they relate to individual studies/assessments. Prepare and coordinate the preparation of reports, graphs and maps, and prepare final outputs.

•Coordinate and provide expertise for the conduct and implementation of surveys including the preparation of survey questionnaires, reports and presentations; Coordinate and monitor the implementation of the research programme, including thematic and regional components. Identify needs and priorities and drive the formulation of the programme of data collection, methodological development and capacity building to support the research work.

•Collect and review information and reports from UNODC and other UN offices, governmental institutions, inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations (IGOs/NGOs), media reports and other relevant sources. Monitor the evolution of the criminal justice/drugs/crime/terrorism situation and trans-national threats in MENA.

•Participate in relevant field missions; provide substantive inputs to training, workshops and seminars and respond to demands for information on specific topics and participate in dissemination and briefing activities in relevant topics.

•Develop and maintain partnerships with governmental and other institutions; liaise with other international organizations and research institutions to develop synergy and collaborative arrangements in the area of data collection and analysis.

•Develop and advise on external communication strategies and tools ensuring alignment between research findings and the ROMENA external communication.

•Coordinate and support the work of the Regional Office Awareness and Research Unit; Ensure effective utilization of financial and human resources; prepare Terms of References of consultants and contractors and participate in their recruitment.

•Coordinate the work of, guide, evaluate and mentor staff in programme implementation, monitoring and assessment; review relevant documents and reports; identify priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and initiates follow-up actions.

•Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

•Professionalism: Has knowledge of principles and concepts of research and trend analysis. Has specific knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to criminal intelligence analysis and the intelligence cycle, as well as existing tools and methods used in criminal analysis. Has knowledge of strategies, policies and practices in the mandates of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Has excellent conceptual, research, analytical and evaluative skills. Has proven advanced drafting and analytical report writing skills. Is able to identify key issues, opportunities and risks and to analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Is able to provide sound technical guidance, apply good judgment, manage conflicting priorities as well as coordinate inputs. Shows professional pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and deadlines and achieving quality 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: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•Planning and 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, social sciences, international relations, security studies, criminology, international development or related fields 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. A diploma or certificate from a recognised institution on qualification in criminal intelligence analysis is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in research and analysis is required.
Direct work experience in the criminal justice systems at the international level is required.
Experience in research and analysis related to organized crime and/or terrorism is desirable.
Working experience in the Arab region is desirable.
Experience in the implementation, management and monitoring of technical assistance projects at the international level is desirable.
Experience in conducting mentoring and training activities is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates 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.

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.

Tunis is classified in the A category (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, 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.

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.