Org. Setting and Reporting
The post is located at the Programme Office in Lebanon, in Beirut under the UNODC Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA). Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer (Head of Programme Office in Lebanon will be responsible for overseeing the overall implementation of UNODC Programmes and activities in Lebanon. The incumbent will also act as the Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Lebanon and represent UNODC vis-a-vis the Government of Lebanon and the international community in Lebanon.
The Programme Coordinator works under the overall guidance of the Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), and under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Representative. The incumbent is a member of the relevant United Nations Country Team (UNCT) under the strategic guidance and coordination of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC).
In this capacity, 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. For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org
Responsibilities
Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the overall implementation and direction of UNODC projects and initiatives in Lebanon under the Regional Framework for Arab States. S/he will be responsible for the following specific tasks:
Ensure the strategic direction and management of the programme for Lebanon and contribute to expand and raise resources for the Lebanon Programme across UNODC mandates with financial support from governments, international organizations, member states and private sector.
Under the leadership of the respective Regional Representative and Deputy Representative, act as Head of Office representing UNODC vis-à-vis the national counterparts, the UN, the international community and other partners working towards national, regional and inter-regional long-term capacity-building in UNODC mandates and in particular in drug control and crime prevention, in order to promote adherence to and ensure consistency with the terms of the United Nations conventions, drug control treaties, the Conventions against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), Corruption (UNCAC) and cybercrime, the international instruments to counter terrorism and the UN standards and norms in criminal justice and crime prevention.
Translate programmatic objectives produced by ROMENA in efficient and viable technical assistance and policy development work for Lebanon and support ROMENA in the establishment of the strategic direction and expansion of cooperation in the context of the UNODC Regional Programme for the Arab States (2023-2028).
Contribute towards UN-wide strategic planning and cooperation in Lebanon and advocate for drugs/crime related issues to be embedded in key UN programmatic instruments such as the United Nations Common Country Analysis; Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework; and contribute to the Efficiency Roadmap goals (i.e. Business Operations Strategy annual review; Common Back Offices/Local Shared Service Centres; Common Premises) as well as UN common goals such as women empowerment, gender equality.
Coordinate and liaise with UNODC field offices and global programs, as well as relevant units at UNODC Headquarters (HQ), the authorities of the host country, and other relevant international and regional actors to facilitate project implementation and create synergies in this regard. Advocacy
Establish close partnership with the national counterparts in Lebanon, manage and coordinate communications with governments, other UN agencies, international organizations, and diplomatic missions on drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice policy issues and the broader UNODC mandate. Programme Implementation
Coordinate, oversee, and monitor the planning the budgeting and the implementation of the UNODC portfolio in Lebanon, including but not limited to drug control; countering human trafficking/smuggling of migrant; countering corruption; prison reform; juvenile justice; countering maritime crime and border management.
Lead and manage the implementation of the crime prevention and criminal justice programme in Lebanon, ensuring effective human rights and gender mainstreaming across all interventions, and maintaining oversight of programme delivery, budgets, expenditures, and partnerships with national counterparts and donors.
Monitor and analyze programme and project development and implementation; identify risks challenges to be addressed and propose corrective actions. Identify and assess technical assistance strategies of donors active in criminal justice and crime prevention.
Design coordinate and support training and capacity-building activities for criminal justice actors, including the development of technical materials and the delivery of interregional, regional, and national training activities.
Ensure effective financial management, fund monitoring, and compliance with reporting requirement of the projects in Lebanon meeting related reporting obligations and coordinate timely projects’ reviews and revisions as required.
Engage with funding partners at national and international level to expand and raise resources for the crime prevention, criminal justice portfolio.
Collect and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. Provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to support data-driven planning, decision-making, and reporting.
Draft and review a variety of high quality and timely written outputs, such as background papers, policy proposals, official correspondence, working papers, mission reports, presentations, and organize, participate in, and deliver presentations at policy-making, expert group, and programme- and project-related meetings, workshops, and discussions..
Promote gender equality and mainstream gender across all programmatic activities and policies in line with UNODC Gender Strategy. Managing the Programme Office
Provide oversight in managing the financial, physical and human resources of the local UNODC office under his/her supervision in line with the established policies and delegated authority in Lebanon
Work collaboratively with the ROMENA Operations team to support financial and programmatic monitoring of the regional programme, ensuring alignment with endorsed costed workplans and theories of change. Proactively identify risks and propose solutions.
Participate in the recruitment of staff and affiliate personnel for the Programme Office.
Oversee and manage the human resources in the Lebanon Programme Office in line with UN/UNODC policies and guidance on staff/affiliate personnel management, incl time and performance management systems.
Create an inclusive and diverse work environment which fosters civility and respect among colleagues including gender equality and uphold zero tolerance to harassment, including sexual harassment/exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority.
Act as security focal point ensuring the safety and security of UNODC staff and personnel in Lebanon, in line with the framework of accountability and through liaising with relevant members and agencies of the UN Country Team and UNDSS.
Carry out any other work-related assignments as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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.
Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
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.
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. Managerial competencies:
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in criminology, law, social sciences 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 relevant, progressively responsible professional work experience, in implementing projects/programs in international technical cooperation in criminal justice and crime prevention and strengthening criminal justice systems is required. Experience in the delivery of capacity-building, training and advisory services training and providing advice and assistance to national criminal justice and crime prevention organizations is required. Experience in fund-raising and in managing projects funded by international funding partners, including the European Union, intergovernmental or international organizations is desirable. Experience in team and performance management is desirable Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Arabic are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Arabic | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II | UN Level II
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
THIS IS A FIXED TERM LIMITED POSITION. Appointment against this project post is for an initial period of one
(1) year. The candidate selected for this position will be granted a fixed-term appointment limited (“FTA-limited”) in accordance with section 2.2
(c) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2025/3 on Administration of appointments. Renewal of appointment is contingent upon continued existence of mandate and availability of funding. If this position is discontinued, the incumbent will be separated from service. United Nations Secretariat staff members who meet the definition of "internal candidate" in staff rule 4.10 who are selected for this position will be reassigned or transferred to the position, without a lien to their parent position.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their career 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. The movement of staff members from the General Service and related categories to the Professional category in the United Nations Secretariat is exclusively allowed through the Young Professionals Programme competitive examinations. Only few staff members pass the competitive examinations. Passing the competitive examinations does not guarantee movement to the Professional category. For further information, please visit https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=GP
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. 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.