This position is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Office Afghanistan (COAFG), Division for Operations (DO) in Kabul. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Country Representative, Afghanistan and technical supervision of the Chief of the Data, Analytics and Statistics Section (DASS), Research and Trend Analysis Branch (RAB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA). For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org

Within assigned authority, the Survey Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Design survey research instruments, including questionnaires, data collection tools, protocols, standard operating procedures and training materials. • Establish and manage suitable organizational and operational arrangements to implement survey programs according to the highest quality standards and in line with existing international guidelines, including for monitoring quality of survey operations. • Compile and analyse data and other information necessary for the preparation of research reports and other technical documents related to population-based survey topics, including the collection and analysis of statistical data and other information; guide and support qualitative research and draft summary results. • Organize and ensure quality of collection, validation, compilation, and dissemination of statistical data on drug and/or crime-related topics by analysing available data sources, selecting, and implementing methods for checking collected data, and selecting and implementing appropriate methods for data processing for incorporation into databases. • Produce tables, charts and other data visualization items as well as written analysis from datasets, to be used in reports, in particular on population-based surveys and develop high-quality analytical survey-based reports on select drug and/or crime related topics for dissemination purposes. • Use statistical models and tools to validate raw data and prepare a final data set for analysis; analyze data from external sources and contrast them with the findings from survey data. • Undertake outreach activities, fact-finding and advisory missions in support of survey implementation, providing presentations, technical support and other inputs. • Liaise with officials of governments, representatives of national, regional and global organizations, organizations of the UN system, etc. on selected issues related to the implementation of specific survey and/or research programmes, related action plans or other initiatives, and provide technical advice on a range of related matters. • Provide training, capacity building and technical support on survey methodologies for national experts and technical staff in the field on data collection and analysis on survey implementation. • Support research activities conducted by headquarters, by providing inputs to the research design of interventions, timely addressing concerns related to challenges encountered during the implementation phase and reviewing outputs. • Ensure coordination with respective programmes and other stakeholders to promote activities and monitor, backstop and assess the implementation of technical cooperation programmes/projects; oversee the work of national staff working on survey implementation. • Perform other work-related duties, as assigned.

Professionalism: Has good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Has knowledge of specialised tools and software for quantitative data analysis. Ability to determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Is able to conduct independent methodological research and analysis (both quantitative and qualitative) on crime and drugs. Is able to design and implement population-based surveys. Is able to establish effective relationships with external partners to set up proper survey implementation mechanisms for conducting survey programs and to ensure their quality and independence. Is able to identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, statistics other social science 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. A Ph.D or equivalent in a related field is desirable.

Not available.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in data and policy analysis, crime statistics, sociological research or related area is required. Experience in survey methodology development and implementing population-based surveys is required. Experience in using statistical software packages (STATA, R) is required. Substantive experience in analysing statistical data on drugs and/or crime and experience in drafting written analytical reports is desirable. Experience in project management as well as evidence-based policy formulation is desirable. Experience in training National Statistical Offices in low – or middle – income countries is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

This temporary position is available until the end of 2024 (31.12.2024). Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection may be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. 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. Kabul is classified in the E category (non – family duty station).

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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.