Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer – Mauritania Full Time

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in Nouakchott, Mauritania, operating under the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Dakar, Senegal. The Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Law Enforcement) will work under the direct supervision of the UNODC Regional Representative for West and Central Africa and the substantive guidance of the UNODC Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch (OCB) based in Vienna. S/he will also liaise and cooperate closely with all relevant substantive UNODC headquarters (HQ) sections and the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East (RSAME) of the Division for Operations at UNODC headquarters in Vienna.

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

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Law Enforcement) will be responsible for the following specific duties:

• Provide expert assistance to government and other institutions in the implementation of the United Nations and other International Conventions on drugs, crime and corruption. Provide substantive and technical guidance on internal programme and project related matters in the area of law enforcement and criminal justice sector reform, in the context of the implementation of the UNODC Sahel Programme and the establishment of the civilian component of the G5 Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S).
• Carry out assessment/advisory missions to countries, review draft or current domestic legislations, assist governments in the revision/drafting of national action plans and elaborate detailed technical assessment reports for successive law enforcement/criminal justice reforms.
• Provide advice and assistance to governmental and other institutions in building national capacities for enhanced policy and programmatic development, in developing effective strategies, notably to strengthen border control, prevention of terrorism, improvement of integrity and cooperation with neighboring authorities.
• Provide advanced training to senior criminal justice, law enforcement and FC-G5S officials on the development of intelligence-led operations and policies, crime scene management, detecting smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, and other areas related to transnational organized crime (TOC).
• Develop training for FC-G5S personnel responding to terrorism- and TOC-related incidents on preserving and securing crime scenes and their referral to national judicial entities.
• Collaborate with and facilitate activities linking with other UNODC project activities; particularly those supporting counter-narcotics law enforcement, terrorism prevention, regional and sub-regional cooperation, criminal justice reform, firearms, border control, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, anti-money laundering. Coordinate such activities within UNODC as well as with projects and initiatives managed by host-nation counterparts, international organizations, multilateral initiatives and donor countries.
• Carry out training on the protection of civilian populations (with a focus on women, children, youth, and border area populations, among others) adapted to the reality of investigations in the context of counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, in line with human rights standards (HRDDP) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
• Carry out programmatic/ administrative tasks as per the project logframe for the achievement of expected results based on performance indicators; draft project and donor reports; coordinate activities related to budget and funding; supervise project expenditures and utilization of funds related to the project; ensure compliance with United Nations financial rules and regulations and initiate project and/or budget revisions.
• Elaborate and draft new programme ideas and documents on human rights and criminal justice reform issues.
• Mobilize additional resources for programme activities, especially by presenting and coordinating substantive information to donor agencies, and promote UNODC’s work with the FC-G5S in regional and international fora.
• Prepare fundraising concept notes supporting the project’s objectives and outcomes in line with UNODC strategic frameworks.
• As required, coordinate the work of and guide other project staff, mentors, consultants, Associate Experts, and interns in their work; and
• Carry out other work-related tasks, as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to criminal justice, law enforcement, human rights in the administration of justice as well as good knowledge of programme/project management and administration in this area. Has good research, analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of problems relating to human rights and criminal justice issues. Has proven ability to contribute to complex technical assistance programmes, to provide expert advice in the substantive area, deliver presentations and training and mobilize external partners and stakeholders. Has knowledge of United Nations policies, rules and regulations, guidelines and procedures. Has knowledge of various research methodologies and sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Is able to apply good judgement in the context of assignment given and to plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

An advanced university (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the fields of law, criminology, public administration, political science, international relations or related fields of criminal justice, crime prevention and/or law enforcement is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields or equivalent academic education, or professional training with certification from a recognized international/national police, customs or other staff training institution, with specialization in criminal justice, crime prevention, criminal investigation, law enforcement, border management, border working techniques and/or other related areas, in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Certification or other qualification in training design and delivery is an advantage.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in law enforcement, crime prevention and criminal justice matters is required. Work experience in the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable. Field experience and a broad understanding of the situation in developing, transitional or post-conflict countries in matters related to crime prevention and criminal justice is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is an asset.