This position is located in the Programme Office in Ghana (POGHA), Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Accra, Ghana. Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative, ROSEN, who will serve as second reporting officer, the incumbent will report directly to the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Justice) as first reporting officer. The Inter-regional Advisor and Focal Point for Prison Reform in the Justice Section (JS) at UNODC headquarters in Vienna will provide substantive guidance and will serve as additional reporting officer. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with ROSEN and the Justice Section (JS) at UNODC headquarters.

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

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for providing substantive support to the coordination and implementation of UNODC’s project on “Strengthening the compliance of the Ghana Prison Service with the Nelson Mandela Rules” (2021-23). The incumbent will also generate synergies for other penal and prison reform related technical assistance in the region within the framework of the UNODC Programme for West Africa. The incumbent will perform the following specific tasks:

•Provide substantive support to the formulation, development, coordination, implementation and evaluation of project activities, including by supporting needs assessment, programming and other technical missions.

•Organize a variety of technical assistance activities aimed at strengthening prison management in Ghana in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and other relevant international standards and norms.

•Prepare and maintain country-specific and tailored work and monitoring plans, draft related reports on project achievements at the levels of activities, outputs, outcomes and objectives in line with UNODC and donor-related reporting requirements, and prepare other written outputs, such as official correspondence, briefings and presentations.

•Provide substantive support to the development of relevant technical and training materials, tools and capacity-building packages, participate in national workshops, seminars and training courses for prison officers and other relevant stakeholders, and deliver presentations, as required, in line with UNODC’s technical guidance material on prison management and reform.

•Prepare budgets, monitor and report on the expenditures and the utilization of financial resources under the project and draft or contribute to financial progress reports, ensuring compliance with UN financial rules and regulations as well as applicable reporting requirements.

•Provide substantive support to the recruitment and supervision of international and national consultants and/or other project personnel, the provision of grants to civil society organizations and the implementation of activities related to procurement and infrastructure support in full compliance with relevant UN rules and regulations.

•Establish an effective and transparent partnership with relevant parties at national level, in particular the Ghana Prison Service and other national stakeholders that are engaged in the field of prison management and reform. Identify and track follow-up actions.

•Monitor and analyze programme/project development and implementation. Review, prepare and/or ensure timely preparation and submission of relevant documents and reports. Identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions.

•Undertake survey initiatives, contribute to the design of data collection tools, review, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/issues and prepare conclusions.

•Review, monitor and analyze social, economic, legal or political developments and trends which are relevant to prison management and the treatment of (alleged) offenders at national level.

•Ensure close coordination within the project team and with partners, other technical assistance providers and the UN Country Team in the course of project implementation and maintain transparent contacts with national stakeholders and UN sister agencies, as required. Maintain close liaison and regular coordination with the donor throughout project implementation.

•Contribute to further fund-raising by preparing materials and participating in donor meetings and fund-raising missions, by building support for cost-sharing contributions from the Government, and by identifying other local funding sources for UNODC projects and activities.

•Provide guidance on strategic and operational direction and developments related to penal reform and other crime prevention and criminal justice reforms in the West Africa region.

•Assist in the organization and/or delivery of specialized technical services, e.g. legal advisory services, expert group meetings, training seminars, etc., in order to assist the Government of Ghana in the ratification and/or implementation of the international conventions and other international legal instruments related to drugs, crime and terrorism prevention, as required.

•Provide substantive inputs and/or contribute to the preparation of substantive and programmatic reports to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ), the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the General Assembly (GA) and other legislative and technical bodies as well as their subsidiary bodies.

•Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

•Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to UNODC mandates, in particular prison management and penal reform, including corresponding practical challenges. Is familiar with international standards and norms applicable to prison management, in particular the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and the UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders (the Bangkok Rules). Has knowledge of and specialization in substantive and functional areas related to the above thematic areas with very good research and analytical skills. Has proven project management skills and expertise in the implementation of technical assistance projects, preferably in the context of the United Nations or other international organizations, as well as knowledge of management processes, including but not limited to the preparation of narrative and financial project documents. Has sound judgment and excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues and to address sensitive issues in a diplomatic manner. Has a broad understanding of the situation in developing, transitional or post-conflict countries. Has good training skills, including the delivery and/or organization of workshops or training courses. Is able to analyse expeditiously extensive substantive documentation and prepare comprehensive reports, summaries and policy briefs. 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 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.

•Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, economics, international relations, law 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice is required.
Solid national and/or international experience in the field of prison management, the treatment of offenders and/or penal reform is required.
Experience in project management and implementation is required.
Experience in applying the standards and norms in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice as related to the treatment of prisoners is required.
Experience in fostering the practical application of these standards at national/or international level is desirable.
Work experience in the United Nations system and/or in an international organization is desirable.
Prior experience in delivering workshops/training courses for criminal justice officials, including prison officers, is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language 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 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.

Accra is classified in the B 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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.