Programme Officer - Synthetic Drugs Profiling (Temporary)

Job Posting Organization:
The position is located at the Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (ROSEAP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). UNODC was established in 1997 and operates in multiple countries worldwide, focusing on issues related to drugs, crime, and terrorism. The organization aims to promote justice and the rule of law, enhance global security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and support sustainable development. UNODC employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and international organizations, to address complex challenges in drug control and crime prevention.

Job Overview:
The Programme Officer will be responsible for enhancing scientific and forensic capacity in Southeast Asia, particularly in the area of synthetic drugs profiling. This role involves developing and coordinating scientific strategies and methodologies for profiling synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals. The incumbent will facilitate the collection and analysis of data related to synthetic drugs, promote cross-border cooperation among law enforcement agencies, and advocate for the integration of drug profiling into broader drug control strategies. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including governments, forensic laboratories, and academia, to share insights and develop effective responses to drug-related challenges. Additionally, the Programme Officer will support the implementation of the SMART Forensics programme and contribute to fundraising activities, ensuring that the region's forensic capabilities are enhanced and sustained.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of duties, including: developing and coordinating scientific strategies for physical profiling of synthetic drugs; facilitating the collection and analysis of data on synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals; promoting cross-border cooperation and sharing of drug profiling data; advocating for the integration of drug profiling into drug control strategies; liaising with experts and stakeholders in the field; collecting and analyzing data to identify trends; supporting the implementation of the SMART Forensics programme; organizing capacity-building workshops and awareness-raising events; supervising junior staff; participating in conferences and meetings; and performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in law, criminology, public administration, applied science, or related disciplines. A first-level degree in similar fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in illicit drug issues, including extensive experience in addressing illicit drug crimes and investigations. Experience in physical profiling of synthetic drugs or precursor chemicals is essential, along with experience in analyzing trends related to synthetic drugs. Work experience with governmental or intergovernmental law enforcement institutions is desirable, as is experience in data analytics.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in law, criminology, public administration, applied science, or related disciplines is required. Alternatively, a first-level degree in similar fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of drug-related issues and the legal frameworks surrounding them.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in illicit drug issues, with a focus on addressing illicit drug crimes and investigations. Candidates should have extensive experience in physical profiling of synthetic drugs or precursor chemicals, as well as experience in analyzing trends and developments related to synthetic drugs. Experience working with counterparts in East and Southeast Asia and with governmental or intergovernmental law enforcement institutions is desirable. Additionally, experience in data analytics or related areas is beneficial.

Languages:
English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of one or more languages used in East and Southeast Asia is considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration with local stakeholders. The UN Language Framework outlines the minimum required proficiency levels for each language skill, which candidates should consult for details.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporary and may involve full-time responsibilities. The incumbent will be expected to work collaboratively with various stakeholders and may be required to travel within the region. The role emphasizes the importance of gender perspectives and equal participation in all areas of work. Compensation and benefits will be in accordance with UN policies and guidelines.