Project Coordinator – Central Asia Drug Action Programme, phase 8 (temporary)

The position will be based in the established Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP) Office located in the Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic (POKGZ), located in Bishkek under the Regional Office for Afghanistan, Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan (ROCA), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Representative of ROCA and received overall guidance from the Regional ROCA, and technical guidance from the Head of the Programme Office in Kyrgyzstan. The incumbent will work in close coordination with the UNODC thematic leads particularly on matters related to drug use prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, law enforcement and counter-narcotics, as well as data research and analysis. For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Regional Representative for ROCA, the coordination of the CADAP 8 Programme will be led by the Programme Coordinator based in Kyrgyzstan, ensuring coherence and close alignment with the CADAP team in the Regional CADAP Programme Office in Bishkek. Implementation will also be supported by UNODC Headquarters, particularly the Financial Resources Management Service (FRMS), and the UNODC Brussels Liaison Office (BRULO), which will provide strong programmatic, administrative, and partnership support. Within the scope of their assigned authority, the incumbent will coordinate and implement the EU-funded programme entitled “Central Asia Drug Action Programme CADAP 8 (2026-30)” and will perform the following specific tasks: • Coordinate the formulation, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of project activities, including support for needs assessments, programming, and technical missions. • Organize and coordinate technical assistance activities as agreed in the Description of Action and approved national and regional implementation workplans to strengthen capacities in drug demand and supply reduction, including legislative reform, law enforcement, forensic support, operational cooperation, and policy development in Central Asia, ensuring alignment with international standards and donor requirements. • Prepare and maintain regional and country-specific work and monitoring plans; draft regular reports on project achievements at activity, output, outcome, and objective levels; prepare correspondence, briefings, and presentations. • Support the development of technical and training materials, tools, and capacity-building packages; participate in and contribute to workshops, seminars, and training; deliver presentations in line with UNODC guidance. • Prepare budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure proper use of financial resources; contribute to financial progress reports, ensuring compliance with UN rules and donor requirements. • Support recruitment and supervision of project personnel and consultants; manage procurement, and infrastructure activities in compliance with UN regulations. • Establish and maintain partnerships with national stakeholders and track follow-up actions to ensure ownership and sustainability. • Monitor and analyze project implementation; ensure timely submission of reports; identify challenges and propose corrective actions. • Undertake surveys, including national drug use surveys; contribute to the design and analysis of data collection tools; support their implementation and evaluation; and provide evidence-based conclusions to guide project activities. • Review social, economic, legal, and political developments relevant to crime prevention, criminal justice, and drug control to ensure project responsiveness. • Actively engage in the governance structure of the CADAP 8 Programme, contributing to and supporting the work of the Operational Committee, Technical Committee, and Programme Steering Committee. Maintain close coordination within the project team, with Consortium partners, technical assistance providers, and UN Country Teams supporting the development and implementation of the UN agenda in the Central Asia region, as well as with national stakeholders, ensuring transparent and effective communication throughout. • Support fundraising by preparing materials, participating in donor meetings, and building government support for cost-sharing. • Assist in organizing and delivering specialized technical services, including legal advisory support, expert meetings, and training seminars, to support the effective implementation of the three international drug conventions as well as the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. • Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other work-related duties as required to ensure successful project implementation and sustainability.

• Professionalism: Has strong knowledge of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to UNODC mandates, particularly in drug control, crime prevention, and criminal justice, and is familiar with UN standards, guiding documents, and evidence-based approaches to drug demand reduction. Has expertise in these thematic areas as well as excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and the ability to synthesize complex information into clear reports, policy briefs, and recommendations. Has proven project management experience in implementing technical assistance projects, preferably within the UN or other international organizations, including planning, monitoring, reporting, financial management, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Exhibits sound judgment, the ability to handle sensitive issues diplomatically, and a capacity to adapt interventions to diverse institutional and cultural contexts, including in developing, transitional, or post-conflict countries. 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. • Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates an 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. • 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, political science, economics, international relations, or another relevant discipline within the social or political sciences, 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.

Not available.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the fields of drug control, crime prevention, and criminal justice is required. Demonstrated work experience in the management and implementation of technical assistance projects, including planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting, is required Work experience with counterparts in Central Asia is desirable. Experience in supporting the practical application of international standards and norms related to drug control, crime prevention, criminal justice, and health-related responses at national and/or regional levels is desirable. Experience working with governmental counterparts, law enforcement agencies, justice and health institutions, and other relevant stakeholders is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations system or other international organizations is desirable. Prior experience in designing or delivering workshops, training courses, or capacity-building activities for national professionals and officials is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This position is temporarily and available until 31 December 2026. 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.   Bishkek is classified in the B category (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.

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