Background Information on the Programme:
This position is located in Chisinau, Moldova. The incumbent will work, for administrative issues, under the overall guidance of the Head of Office, UNODC Office based in Kiev, Ukraine, and for substantive issues, under the direct supervision of the UNODC Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS) Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer and substantive oversight by HTMSS Technical Cooperation Team Leader, of the UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (GLOTS3), and in cooperation with the designated UNODC staff. The incumbent will serve as National Programme Officer supporting the implementation of the UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (GLOTS3) in Moldova.

As the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its supplementing Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (TIP Protocol), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) primary goal with respect to addressing trafficking in persons, is to promote global adherence to the TIP Protocol, which to date counts 178 States Parties, and assist States in their efforts to effectively implement it.

Within the context of the UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (GLOTS3) of the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS), UNODC will implement a project “Strengthening the capacities of the Republic of Moldova to effectively detect, investigate and prosecute trafficking in persons and to protect victims of trafficking” for the period 2024- 2025, covering Moldova, with the aim of increasing the institutional capacity of Moldovan Police and the General Prosecution Office to investigate and prosecute TIP for forced criminality and forced labor through a victim-centered approach.

Duties and Responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for implementation of the activities of the GLOTS3 in Moldova and SEE, as needed, and act as a resource person on substantive issues related to good practices in combating trafficking in persons and related forms of organized crime.
Under the direct supervision of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling, the National Programme Officer will achieve the following key tasks:

• Independently provide a range of implementation assistance at all phases of the project cycle of the UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling in Moldova including inception phase with assessments, work plan, recruitment of consultants, procurement of goods and services, preparation of terms of reference and concept notes, reporting (to UNODC, donors and stakeholders), processing administrative actions, follow up on implementation of activities and resolve challenges, monitoring and evaluation;
• Act as a resource person in trafficking in persons in the Republic of Moldova, specifically in the field legislative harmonization of trafficking in persons legislation with international instruments, prevention, protection, identification, investigation, prosecution and adjudication of trafficking in persons and related offences;
• Facilitate the organization of and take part in the delivery of project activities including trainings and other capacity-building support for countering trafficking in persons;
• Prepare documentation, analyses and collate papers/reports, including background materials, analytical and substantive documents and reports, documentation on training courses and meetings, data for evaluation, briefing notes, working papers etc., linked to trafficking in persons in Moldova and SEE region;
• Compile and analyze data on implementing the activities under the UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling in Moldova and SEE region - such as details of participants, gender segregation, and agencies represented at the trainings, meetings, and workshops, and update monitoring and evaluation documents accordingly;
• Coordinate assessments of national legal and institutional frameworks on trafficking in persons and facilitate international cooperation in criminal matters;
• Support advocacy actions for a policy, educational, legal and community framework to counter trafficking in persons; Draft media briefings, press releases, news events, inputs for webpage;
• Maintain constant liaison with all beneficiary agencies to ensure timely delivery of activities and provision of guidance to the executing agencies on routine implementation of projects activities, tracking use of financial resources;
• Identify and establish linkages with key national counterparts, stakeholders and resource persons, as well as with bilateral and multilateral partners involved trafficking in persons issues as applicable;
• Provide guidance to implementing partners and assistance to coordination, monitoring and expedition of project activities including extensive liaison with all stakeholder agencies to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference against project objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, and resolve issues related to project implementation;
• Contribute to and participate in meetings and national events related to trafficking in persons as well as data collection, research and monitoring and evaluation as applicable;
• Proactively support and seek opportunities for fundraising strategies on trafficking in persons;
• Provide high quality analysis and draft presentations of information/data on specific project and related topics; highlight noteworthy issues/trends for stakeholders and HQ consideration;
• Lead administrative aspects of project planning and preparation for the delivery of activities of the UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling, which are coordinated with relevant stakeholders;
• Contribute to procurement of goods, services and other project inputs, preparing ToRs for experts, consultants, concept notes for meetings, training programmes, workshops, and other needed documents;
• Collaborate closely with relevant Sections and Branches at UNODC;
• Establish links with relevant UNODC projects, as well as with relevant external partners in those areas, including civil society organizations and non-UN organizations.

Participates in effective management of the Moldova and SEE regional segment of GLOTS3 focusing on quality control from formulation to implementation of project activities, achieving the following results:

• Implement the UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling’s annual work plan and quarterly work plans in consultation with stakeholders;
  Provide inputs to quarterly, semi-annual and annual narrative and financial reports of GLOTS3;
• Effective support to various planning instruments such as internal work plans; assistance on reporting requirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensuring completeness and accuracy of data submitted;
• Effective implementation of the UNODC SOPs, effective monitoring of the project/s performance and timely production of result-oriented draft progress reports, and provision of regular inputs for donor reporting;
• Prepare and analyze of project budget proposals including budget revisions, monitoring checklists, and coordination of submissions of work proposals and budget estimates;
• Prepare contributions for implementing UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling’s Communication and Visibility Plan.

Provides top quality support services to the nationally implemented projects:

• Initiate and maintain partnerships with development partners, government institutions, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to contribute to the achievement of project results;
• Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, prepare correspondence and communications related to all aspects of project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other implementation related issues with all stakeholders;
• Encourage stakeholder buy-in and ownership in implementation of project activities through in-kind contribution.

Facilitation of knowledge building and management, producing and disseminating lesson learnt from designated projects and support to the promotion of cross-project, cross-unit knowledge fertilization:

• Contributes to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Contribute to development of knowledge products under the project.

Perform other tasks and assignments as necessary.

MEASURABLE OUTPUTS OF THE WORK ASSIGNMENT:

• Full and appropriate implementation of the duties in-line with the project activities;
• Results, experiences and lessons learned during implementation of the projects;
• Reporting and quality monitoring activities completed.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS:

• Respective sections of the annual work plan of the projects are fully and timely implemented;
• Funds delivery allocated for the project activities reached as much as possible;
• Programme and Component activities are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP/UNODC rules and procedures.   

COMPETENCIES EXPECTED OF THE INDIVIDUAL:

1.    Corporate Competencies:

• Communication;
• Delivery;
• Innovation;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNODC;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

2.    Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Conflict Management;
• Result orientation;
• Teamwork;
• Self –management and emotional intelligence;

3.    Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

4.    Client Orientation:

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

5.    Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

6.    Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNODC’s Goals

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

OTHER:

• Ability to implement project/programme components for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans; and prepare inputs to project/programme reports in a timely manner;
• Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and establish partnership with government authorities, local authorities, CSO’s and within UNODC;
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Demonstrated strong analytical, coordination and facilitation skills;
   

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Masters’ degree or equivalent in criminal justice, law, public administration, international relations, political or social sciences, or another relevant field;
2. At least 3 years of relevant experience in combating trafficking in human beings and organized crime in Republic of Moldova in close cooperation and collaboration with relevant authorities focused on awareness-raising, capacity building, strategy and policy development, legislative assistance, international cooperation;
3. Experience successfully building and maintaining close productive working relationships with government, civil society and other key stakeholders;
4. Knowledge and/or previous experience working with the UN on TIP; organized crime and international criminal justice cooperation is an asset;
5. Experience in carrying out analytical work, preparing brief, reporting and contributing to reports is a strong asset;
6. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel etc.) and handling of web-based management systems, data-based management.
7. Fluency in English, Romanian and Russian is required.
    

Disclaimer

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Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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