Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Country Office in Afghanistan (COAFG), under the Regional Office for Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan (ROCA) under the framework of the Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with duty station in Kabul. The incumbent will report to the COAFG Representative as First Reporting Officer, and to the Programme Officer of the Alternative Development Team (heading the Global Programme), Health and Development Section (HDS), Drugs, Laboratory and Scientific Services Branch (DLSSB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA), based in Vienna, Austria, as Second Reporting Officer. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will perform the following specific duties: • Coordinate and support the implementation of the Alternative Development Programme in Afghanistan, including all activities aimed at promoting alternative livelihoods, socio-economic development, and the rule of law in opium cultivation and at-risk areas of the country; • Provide strategic guidance and oversight to the project team across field locations in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of programme activities, while exploring opportunities for increased direct implementation and monitoring; • Establish and strengthen partnerships with the private sector, Subject Matter Experts, agriculture experts, farming associations, NGOs, implementing partners and market actors to facilitate product marketing, improve access to markets, and enhance economic opportunities in alternative development areas; • Develop, document, disseminate and scale up replicable alternative development models, lessons learned, and best practices suited to local communities and adaptable throughout various regions of Afghanistan; • Plan, implement, manage, and monitor project activities, in line with applicable United Nations (UN) rules and regulations, policies and administrative mechanisms; • Manage programme budget, administrative processes and implementation reporting, ensuring timely monitoring of expenditures, delivery status, compliance requirements, reporting obligations, and communication within UNODC and with external stakeholders; • Coordinate and maintain effective engagement with relevant De facto authorities (DFA) and beneficiaries at the international, national and local levels, ensuring their participation, support and ownership throughout implementation and sustainability efforts under the Alternative Development Programme in Afghanistan; • Coordinate communication and visibility efforts of Alternative Development initiatives, including with other relevant UNODC programmes, UN entities, DFA, donors, and Member States, to raise awareness of Alternative Development achievements and needs in Afghanistan; • Promote complementarity with other UNODC programmes with livelihood components, such as drug use prevention, treatment and rehabilitation initiative, research, prison reform and rehabilitation of prisoners, Trafficking in Person (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM); • Under the supervision of the Representative and the Programme Officer heading the Global Programme, lead and contribute to resource mobilization and fundraising efforts by designing and implementing target-oriented fundraising strategies, developing project proposals, and liaising with UN entities, the DFA, donors, including the Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and other stakeholders; • Support coordination and collaboration across the UN system, including contributing to UN Country Team initiatives and engaging with UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes (AFPs) to identify and develop areas of cooperation, including for joint fund raising and joint project development and implementation; • Represent and promote the Alternative Development agenda at national and international forums, including the Doha Process Working Group on Counternarcotics, diplomatic missions focused on Afghanistan, the UN Technical Working Group on Counternarcotics, the Afghanistan Water Platforms, and other relevant coordination mechanisms; • Support the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and broader counternarcotics coordination mechanisms by providing UNODC expertise on alternative development to forums such as the Doha Process’s Counter Narcotic Working Group (CNWG) and Private Sector Working Group (PSWG), and by participating in relevant technical and policy platforms; • Strengthen coordination among development partners and donors to improve aid effectiveness, harmonize practices and procedures, facilitate information sharing, and advance complementary alternative development initiatives across Afghanistan and the region; • Collect, analyze, visualize and report data to support evidence-based decision making, identify trends and patterns through graphs, charts, tables and reports, contribute to programme visibility, and perform any other work-related duties as required in support of the Alternative Development Programme; • Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to illicit drug production and Alternative Development. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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 and 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agriculture, rural development, sustainable development, environmental and natural resource management, social sciences, economics, business administration, international development, public administration, international relations, or related discipline 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in project/programme management and implementation in alternative development, sustainable livelihoods, rural development, or socio-economic development, preferably in complex or fragile environments is required. Work experience in value chain development, market systems development, and improving market access in rural areas with limited infrastructure is required. Work experience in managing project implementation, budgets, donor reporting, and compliance in international development programmes is required. Work experience in rural development contexts in least developed countries is desirable. Work experience in technical cooperation and project implementation with drug control, counternarcotics, crime prevention or rule of law objectives is desirable. Work experience in establishing and managing partnerships with government counterparts, development partners, private sector actors, NGOs, and implementing partners is desirable. Work experience in resource mobilization, donor engagement, fundraising, and project proposal development is desirable. Work experience in gender mainstreaming, advancing women empowerment and inclusiveness of vulnerable groups in the context of rural development, drug control or crime-related programmes is desirable. Work experience in leading a team implementing programme activities in a rural development context is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
English	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II	UN Level II

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This is a project-funded position. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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 an E and a non-family duty station. Please note that pursuant to the Staff selection system policy (ST/AI/2025/2): (1) Applicants for positions in the Field Service category cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located, and (2) Applicants for positions in the Professional and higher categories in a mission, field operation, or resident coordinator’s office cannot be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. For currently serving staff of a United Nations Common System organization, only the UN-recognized nationality will be considered for the purposes of these restrictions.

United Nations Considerations

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. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

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.

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