Job: NATIONAL PROJECT OFFICER – WEST AFRICAN NETWORK OF CENTRAL AUTHORITIES AND PROSECUTORS (WACAP)

Location :

Dakar, SENEGAL

Application Deadline :

15-Oct-13

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Post Level :

SB-4

Languages Required :

English   French   Portuguese

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

01-Nov-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 months

Background

The Network of West African Central Authorities and Prosecutors against Organized Crime, hereinafter referred to as WACAP, is an informal network of central authorities and prosecutors operating under the framework of the Regional Programme for West Africa (2010-2014) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the implementation of a Drug Control and Organized Crime Strategy for West Africa. It takes place in the context of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Political Declaration and Regional Action Plan to Address the Growing Problem of Illicit Drug Trafficking, Organized Crime and Drug Abuse in West Africa (2008-2011) and the successor to this Regional Action Plan.

The Network is also established under the UNODC Global Programme to Strengthen the Capacities of Member States to Prevent and Combat Serious and Organized Crime (GPTOC) that has as an objective the implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) in 2010 and 2012, in particular, to foster regional and international cooperation to fight organized crime. Through regular meetings and training programmes, the Network provides for opportunities among its members to facilitate such cooperation. UNODC provides coordination and technical direction to the Network.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of this post is to provide technical and organisational support for the coordination and management of WACAP, including the delivery of technical assistance activities by UNODC in the West Africa region. 

The Junior Project Officer will be expected to carry out the following tasks: 

• Under the supervision of the Senior Legal Adviser and Coordinator of the West African Network of Central Authorities and Prosecutors (WACAP), assist the coordination of the work of the Network, specifically:
• Conduct legal research and analysis as directed;
• Assist in the development of training tools and materials;
• Assist in programming and delivery of technical assistance activities at the national, sub-regional and regional level;
• Assist in the design of proposals for funding of the network;
• Assist in the drafting of reports on the activities and finances of the Network; - Assist in the organisation of meetings of members of the network, as well as seminars and workshops;
• Create and maintain a data base of contacts for members of the Network, their counterparts and other practitioners; - Create a compilation of all laws and regulations of countries, members of the Network, relevant to international cooperation in criminal matters;
• Assist the Coordinator in the day-to-day coordination and management of the affairs of the network;
• Perform any other duties relevant to UNODC/ROSEN as required. Performance indicators are the quality, appropriateness, value and timeliness of contributions, organisational and substantive input provided to UNODC/WACAP activities in West Africa.

Competencies

Communication: 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with different categories of stakeholders (government officials from West African countries, donor countries, wider public).

Teamwork:

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals, solicits input by genuinely valuing new ideas and expertise; willingness to learn from others;
• Place team agenda before personal agenda; support and act in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
• Share credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings;
• Ability to work with a small team of professional staff; flexible approach and willingness to assist with a variety of other tasks.

Planning and Organising:

• Ability to develops clear objectives in accordance with agreed upon strategies;
• Identify tasks and activities that have to be dealt with as a matter of priority;
• Adjust priorities if required; to allocate appropriate time and resources to completing tasks;
• Anticipate risks and to adopt corrective measures in the course of planning and executing activities;
• Use time in an effective manner. Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity are Core Values of the United Nations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Master’s Degree, preferably in law.

Experience:

• Experience in delivering technical assistance in areas of interest to the UNODC mandate, e.g. crime prevention, law enforcement, criminal justice or security sector reform;
• Experience in scheduling meetings and providing logistics;
• Experience in drafting and translating project related documents, e.g. project proposals, background papers, evaluation and progress reports;
• Experience in carrying out research on topics of interest to the UNODC mandate;
• Experience in understanding practical, institutional and other challenges and vulnerabilities in implementing technical activities in the context of West African countries ;
• Experience as a prosecutor or magistrate is an asset;
• Experience in project coordination and implementation, including administrative and financial backstopping, monitoring, programme delivery, etc, is an asset;
• Knowledge of the work and administrative/financial processes of the United Nations Office on drugs and crime is an asset; Availability to travel throughout the West Africa region on an occasional basis.

Languages: 

• English and French are the working languages of the Network;
• Fluency in one and a good knowledge of the other is required;
• The knowledge of Portuguese is an asset.

FC: 12000

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

More Info and Application