Project Support Associate

The United Nations Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) was established as a consequence to the General Assembly Resolution 45/179 of 21 December, 1990 with the responsibility of coordinating all drug control activities within the United Nations system. In 1997, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established through a merger between the UNDCP and the United Nations Centre for International Crime Prevention, and is “mandated to assist Member States in their struggle against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations”.

The mission of UNODC is to contribute to the achievement of security and justice for all by making the world safer from crime, drugs and terrorism. The activities of UNODC are based on three pillars: (i) research and analysis (evidence–based policies); (ii) establishment of international norms and standards (UN Conventions); and (iii) capacity-building through technical assistance.

The mandate of UNODC derives from several UN conventions and General Assembly resolutions and the conclusions and recommendations of its governing bodies:

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs: the central policymaking body within the Untied Nations system dealing with drug-related matters. The Commission monitors the world drug situation, develops strategies on international drug control and recommends measures to combat the world drug problem, including through reducing demand for drugs, promoting alternative development initiatives and adopting supply reduction measures.
The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ): the central body within the United nations system dealing with crime prevention and criminal justice policy. It monitors the use and application of relevant United Nations standards and norms. the Commission offers Member States a forum to exchange expertise, experiences and information, to develop national and international strategies and to identify priorities for combating crime.

Within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for Eastern Africa (2016-2023), UNODC through its Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) and in close coordination with the headquarters, aims, among other, to promote and support Member States in Eastern Africa to implement effective policy, legislative, and technical responses to transnational organized crime, terrorism, and illicit trafficking. To that end, the UNODC ROEA Transnational Organized Crime, Illicit Trafficking and Terrorism Prevention Programmes (TOC/CT Programmes) are pivotal to UNODC’s mandate to assist Member States in preventing, suppressing, and prosecuting transnational organized crime, terrorism, and related offences in Eastern Africa. In turn, the TOC/CT Programmes are implemented through various projects, including the Better Migration Management Programme Phase III (BMM III), aimed at improving migration management in the region, and specifically at addressing trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM) within, and from the Horn of Africa.

First, BMM III aims at reinforcing the above stated Member States’ national legislative framework to better respond to TIP and SOM. Second, it enhances the knowledge, skills, and capacity of law enforcement
and criminal justice practitioners to prevent, and counter TIP and SOM. Lastly, the project strengthens regional cooperation through the development of learning tools, regional conferences, and support joint law enforcement operations. The Volunteer will provide both administrative and substantive support for the implementation of the BMM III project

Under the direct supervision of the project officer, the UN University Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

•As part of a team and in line with the applicable UN rules and regulations, contribute to the implementation of activities including secretarial, administrative, and logistical arrangements for workshops, meetings, conferences, and expert missions to support the implementation of the BMM III project.
•In connection with the project, perform general administrative tasks (including leave and attendance recording, arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, etc.), to include preparing and/or processing administrative re-quests/documents (e.g., requisitions, purchase orders, travel requests, contracts, expenditure authorizations, visa applications, etc.).
•Monitor processes related the project outputs, activities, and tasks; assist in the verification of receipt and accuracy of requisite documents, approvals, signatures, etc. to ensure compliance with the relevant legal, financial, and other requirements.
•Prepare official correspondence and other communications (including invitation letters, note verbales, etc.) using standard word processing package; produce a wide variety of large, complex documents and reports.
•Proofread and edit documents for accuracy, grammar, punctuation, style, and formatting.
•Perform data entry and extraction functions; generate a variety of standard statistical and other reports, work orders, etc., using various databases.
•Maintain calendar/schedules; monitor changes and communicate relevant information to appropriate staff; maintain hard- and soft-copy files and databases.
•Screen phone calls and visitors; respond to moderately complex information requests and inquiries (e.g., answers requests requiring file search, etc.), and as necessary, re-fer inquiries to appropriate officers.
•Review, record, distribute and/or process mail and other documents, follow-up on actions.
•Update and maintain large distribution lists; monitor, prepare and distribute various materials, reports, where possible using electronic formats; handle arrangement for printing and translation as necessary; coordinate shipment arrangements, courier services, etc.
•Provide guidance to less experienced staff on general office processes and procedures, computer applications, etc.
•Performs other tasks and assignments as necessary.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

•Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
•Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
•Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities.
•Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
•Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
•Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.