Programme Coordinator (Head of Programme Office in CAF) - Temporary, P4

This position is located in the Programme Office in the Central African Republic (POCAF), in Bangui, which operates under the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), Division for Operations (DO) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Within delegated authority, the Programme Coordinator (Head of Programme Office in CAF) will be responsible for coordinating the overall implementation of all programmes in CAF. In addition, the incumbent will represent UNODC vis-a-vis the Government/State of CAF and the international community in CAF and will be responsible and accountable for the efficient management of all human, financial and physical resources allocated to the programmes of the office, as well as for ensuring outputs of a high-quality standard. The Programme Coordinator works under the overall guidance of the Regional Representative for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), and under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator and Deputy Representative, ROSEN. The incumbent will serve as a member of the relevant United Nations Country Team (UNCT) under the strategic guidance and coordination of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC), and member of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) Regional Team wherever applicable. As a member of the relevant UNCT, the incumbent leads UNODC's engagement in UN common country planning, programming, funding, monitoring and evaluation activities and actively contributes to the establishment of the Common Country Analysis and United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CCA and UNSDCF) and related joint workplan, resource mobilization and communications strategies and plans as well as the Business Operations Strategy especially under the UN reform and the 2030 Agenda. The incumbent is accountable for consulting with and keeping the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT appraised of UNODC programme implementation and resources mobilized for programmes/activities, undertaken in the context of the UNSDCF (those led by UNODC). The incumbent will be part of the Mutual Accountability Framework for the UNRC. As member of the local Security Management Team (SMT) the incumbent supports and advises the local Designated Official (DO) in all security management related matters and is responsible for the implementation of local security management decisions and appropriate security and safety measures and arrangements for all UNODC eligible staff, personnel, eligible family members as well as for UNODC premises and operations in the country, in coordination with the local UNDSS security officials and with advice from the UNODC Field Security Adviser at Headquarters Vienna, under the supervision of the UNODC Regional Representative as appropriate. For more information on UNODC, please visit the website www.unodc.org.

The incumbent will be responsible for the overall implementation and direction of the joint UNODC-IOM-UNDP project on Support for the strengthening of border management and security, and building national capacities for the prevention, preparedness and response to conflicts related to transhumance in the Sido border area, as well as the project on Community security and support for justice and security institutions to promote lasting peace in the Central African Republic to be jointly implemented by UNODC-UNDP and UN Women. S/he will also be responsible for the coordination of other UNODC initiatives in CAF. Within delegated authority, the Programme Coordinator will be responsible for the following specific duties: Programme Development and Resource Mobilization • Coordinate CAF projects on border security, justice, and community policing: oversee planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting in line with UN/donor rules. • Lead project teams of experts, consultants, and staff; support recruitment and performance management. • Liaise with counterparts (national, regional, international, donors, partners) to ensure smooth delivery and avoid duplication. • Conduct needs assessments and technical missions; organize awareness events on drugs, crime, and border security. • Drive resource mobilization and strategic direction for CAF projects; expand funding from governments, organizations, and private sector. • Represent UNODC in CAF under Regional Representative leadership; advise on UN reforms, SDGs, and policy alignment with UN conventions. • Contribute to UN-wide planning with UN DCO and advocate for drugs/crime issues in UN frameworks and cross-cutting goals (gender equality, efficiency roadmap). Advocacy • Build partnerships with governments, UN agencies, diplomatic missions, civil society, and donors on drug control and crime prevention. • Communicate UNODC’s impact across CAF pillars; ensure mandates are reflected in UN coordination mechanisms. • Engage stakeholders (media, parliamentarians, private sector) to place drugs, crime, and terrorism on national/regional agendas. Programme Implementation • Oversee CAF projects across border security, justice, trafficking, corruption, juvenile justice, and drug control. • Ensure financial management and reporting obligations; prepare policy papers, mission reports, proposals, and presentations. • Promote gender mainstreaming in all activities. • 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. Knowledge building • Analyze national needs and support authorities in developing responses to drugs, crime, and terrorism; monitor regional trends. Programme Office Management • Advise leadership on planning and resource management; supervise staff and consultants. • Recruit and lead teams with inclusive, respectful workplace practices; uphold zero tolerance for misconduct. • Ensure staff security in coordination with UN Country Team and UNDSS. • Maintain stakeholder relations with governments, donors, UN agencies, NGOs, media, and regional organizations.

• Professionalism: Has good knowledge of United Nations programmes, policies, guidelines and mandates especially in the area of drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice. Has very good knowledge of and demonstrated ability to provide effective advice on concepts and approaches relevant to technical cooperation assistance and project management in the field of drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice. Demonstrates ability to provide advice on a broad range of development assistance issues, and on matters related to drugs and crime; very good research and analytical skills; good judgement and negotiating skills and ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problem/issues. Is able to ensure adequate preparation of reports or rationale with respect to key technical assistance decisions. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. • 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 and stimulates 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. • Communication: 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. • Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, law, economics, public administration, business administration, or 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.

Not available.

A minimum of seven years of professional, progressively responsible work experience in providing advisory services to governments at the national and international levels, including in developing countries is required. Relevant work experience in drug control and crime prevention, as well as in project and programme management — including the design and development of projects — is required. Work experience in resource mobilization, as well as liaison with national counterparts and international organizations is required. Work experience with the United Nations or similar international organization is desirable. Experience in liaising with regional and international organizations is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

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

This temporary position is currently available for a period of 364 days. 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 of 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 and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. 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. Bangui is classified in the D category (non-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.

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.

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