Research Specialist Job in Abuja at UNDP
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helps developing countries
attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage
the protection of human rights, capacity development and the
empowerment of women.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Research Specialist
Location: Abuja
Type of Contract: Service Contract
Post Level: SB-5
Duration of Initial Contract: One year, renewable.
Background
This position is with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
(UNODC) Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG). The incumbent will work under
the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer/Head of
Programme, Programme Support Team (PMO/HPST) and the overall guidance of
the UNODC Representative. The Research Officer (Coordinator) will work
under the technical supervision of the Chief of the Statistics and
Surveys Section (SASS), Headquarters Vienna. S/he will work also in
close collaboration with the Core Project Teams in CONIG and UNODC HQs
staff
Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of drug use,
criminal justice and corruption surveys, the development of a system to
monitor cannabis production, and the collection of drug and crime,
including criminal justice related, administrative statistics. S/he
will be responsible for the daily management and central coordination of
data collection activities. Within delegated authority, the incumbent
will be responsible for the following duties:
- Lead, coordinate and monitor the implementation of surveys
through all projects, and, in particular, design and implement
population-based surveys on drug use, corruption, criminal justice and
remote sensing surveys to monitor current trends in these areas with
national partners;
- Interact with senior managers from national counterparts to
ensure their cooperation in the implementation of the surveys and their
smooth operations;
- Coordinate and participate in the designing of technical
assistance programmes/projects for the development or strengthening of
national monitoring systems for drug use, corruption and criminal
justice, including the implementation of surveys;
- Prepare and manage a consolidated plan of activities related to
data collection in the field of crime and drugs, including illicit crop
monitoring as well population-based surveys, in close collaboration with
relevant national counterparts;
- Plan, coordinate, supervise and provide expertise for the
conduct and implementation of data collection activities and surveys
including corruption, drug use, criminal justice and cannabis surveys
in collaboration with national counterparts;
- In coordination with the Project Coordinators, plan and supervise all baseline studies foreseen under the three projects;
- Monitor and analyse the development and implementation of
activities under all projects related to data collection and reporting;
coordinate and review relevant documents and reports; identify problems
and issues to be addressed and initiate corrective actions; liaise with
relevant parties; and ensure follow-up actions;
- Coordinate and supervise activities related to budget funding as
related to data collection through all three projects
(programme/project preparation and submission, progress reports,
financial statements, etc) and prepare related documents/reports
(pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc);
- Coordinate the contribution to the reporting of data/information
on illicit crops (cannabis), drugs and crime (particularly corruption)
and criminal justice to UNODC Headquarters;
- Manage, supervise and provide training and technical guidance to
national and international research officers working in the country
office or beneficiary institutions;
- Liaise effectively with substantial units at UNODC headquarters,
in particular with the Drug Prevention and Health Branch, the
Corruption and Economic Crime Branch and the Justice Section as well as
with counterparts, development partners and other stakeholders in
Nigeria to avoid overlap and duplication of efforts and ensure UN wide
coordination;
- Undertake any other related activities, as may be required
- Ensure the conformity of data collection activities related to
criminal justice, corruption and drugs with methodological guidelines
established by UNODC;
- Identify and help to introduce survey methodological improvements;
- Ensure quality control in the implementation of data collection activities and reporting;
- Undertake field missions, with a view to assist
government/relevant institutions to conduct assessments and identify
measures required to monitor the evolution of the drug and crime
situation;
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
- Specialists and senior staff within the Organization, Officers
and other staff at the professional and higher levels from organizations
in the UN system.
- Develops well-reasoned, innovative suggestions and approaches to deal with complex policy/technical issues.
- Effectively leads and manages major reports, projects and work
teams and timely delivers outputs in a timely manner, in accordance with
overall objectives and policies.
- Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally
and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties to help meet
organization’s objectives, in particular, in relation to the three
projects.
- High level officials in government and other international
organizations and non-governmental organizations, heads of research
institutes, academia, etc.
- Delivers high quality research results. Plays a lead role in the
implementation of surveys on drug use, corruption, criminal justice and
remote sensing surveys.
Competencies
Professionalism:
- Has knowledge of the mandates of UNODC. Has knowledge and
experience in programmes to compile process and analyse data. Has
ability to design and monitor data collection activities such as
population-based and remote sensing surveys.
- Has knowledge and experience in programme management.
- Ability to apply statistical methods to the collection of information.
- Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates
professional competence and mastery of drug-related statistics; 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 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.
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 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:
- Very good communication skills to liaise negotiate and advocate
with key stakeholders and other implementing agencies. Proven ability to
write technical reports and reviews and conduct presentations.
- 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.
Teamwork:
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain
effective partnership and working relationships in a multicultural
environment.
- 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.
Judgement/Decision-making:
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to
the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before
making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions
prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on
others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a
recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions
against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the
expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions
when necessary.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in
Social Sciences, Statistics, Public Health, Geography, or related
fields.
- A first-level university degree in combination with additional
years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced
university degree
Experience:
- A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in
the development and/or implementation of large-scale surveys and
programme management: agricultural, environmental, drug use, corruption,
crime, or other socio-economic surveys required.
- Experience with the design implementation of surveys in West
Africa is a strong asset. Experience in the use of geographic
information technologies such as remote sensing, geographic information
systems and satellite-based position systems for land and environmental
resources planning and management is an advantage. Previous work
experience with the United Nations an asset.
- Knowledge of EU funded projects an advantage.
- Fully proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications.
- Practical experience in the design and implementation of
technical assistance and training programmes in at least one of the
subject area (crops, drugs or corruption) is required.
Languages:
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
- For the post advertised, fluency in English (both oral and
written) is required; knowledge of other UN official languages is an
asset.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply
Application Deadline 31st March, 2016.