UNV Specialist on project management support – UNV jobs in Panama

• Location: Panama
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: UNV
• Gender: Both  
• Deadline:  2024-03-01

Details
Mission and objectives
UNODC has the mission to enable peace and security, human rights and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism, by promoting justice and building resilient societies. Through its integrated programming approach, UNODC has a proven capacity to translate global normative frameworks into operational assistance, and to identify how drugs, crime and terrorism interact and impact sustainable development and human security. UNODC’s mandate ties in directly with the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs which explicitly recognize the interrelationship between sustainable development on the one hand, and the threats from violence, organized crime, corruption, access to justice, and terrorism on the other.

Context
This position is located in the Front Office of the Regional Representative of the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Panama City, Panama. The incumbent will be working under the direct supervision of the Front Office Team Leader (Drug Control and Crime Prevention Officer) and the overall guidance of the Regional Representative. The UNV will work in close collaboration with the Front Office Team, to assist in the general operations and administrative support to the ROPAN Front Office.

Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Representative, in Panama, the UN Volunteer specialist on project management support will:

• Support the overall seamless implementation of the UNODC mandate at ROPAN.
• Support the Front Office Team Leader with the preparation of a variety of outputs, such as background papers, briefing notes, talking points, presentations, strategies and policy documents, workplans, guidance notes, etc.
• Support the Front Office Communication Officer with various tasks, including headquarter event reporting, campaign dissemination, social media postings, etc.
• Support the Regional Representative and Deputy Regional Representative with special assignments and projects relating to the operations and programmatic initiative, including project ideas, regional and national context analysis, i.e. trend monitoring, election/crisis monitoring and reporting, etc.
• Assist in the organization of meetings (agendas, participant list, information notes, supporting documents, ToRs, etc).
• Support daily tasks pertaining to project management, including updating monitoring databases, national stakeholder data base, etc. contrack reporting deadlines, etc.
• Provide assistance in the drafting and editing of reports, including but not limited to,,progress reports activityand meeting reports, mission reports, UN system reports, thematic reports, etc.
• Any other related tasks may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• 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 instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• 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.
• Development and implementation of UNSDCFs in the region support.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• Implementation of programmatic activities according to work plan.
• High quality written outputs, such as concept notes, background papers, mission reports, briefings, talking points, presentations, terms of reference, enforcement strategies, policy proposals and documents, manuals, tool kits, guides, etc.
• Programmatic support, including project planning, monitoring, and reporting in line with UNODC’s results-based management approach.
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in the field of international relations required.
• Knowledge of the local context of Central America and the Caribbean is required.
• Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others.
• Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills.
• Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team.
• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences.
• Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions.
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
• Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and others).

Area(s) of expertise
Administration

Driving license
–

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Spanish, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in management, international relations, political science, or related fields.

Competencies and values
• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNODC; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNODC procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNODC in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues.
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.

Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Panama is a family duty station and considered to be a safe place to live. However, like in any city around the world, it is always good to be aware of your surroundings and to be alert. There is a wide range of goods available in Panama and many modern shopping complexes as well as department stores and designer stores. There are suitable residential areas, accommodation options, good hospitals, schools, universities, banks, and a wide selection of restaurants There are beaches, mountains and national parks in the rainforest that it is said to have the broadest range of flora and fauna in the world. Panama does not have any serious health concerns to worry about, however, it is important to note that in some areas such as the Darien province, it is recommended to take precautions for malaria. The Centers for Disease Control website also recommends the yellow fever vaccination for travel to Darien province and the San Blas islands. Panama has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and lived through one of the toughest lockdowns worldwide. Weather: Panama has two seasons, the dry season, which is from January until late April or early May, and the rainy season which is the rest of the year. The daytime temperature ranges between 80- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit with the evenings being cooler by 5 to 10 degrees. The average humidity is 70%.

Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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