General

Description of assignment title: Drugs and Health Officer

Assignment country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Expected start date: 07/31/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Accessibility measures in place

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Host entity: UNODC

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Vientiane

Reasonable accommodation

No

Additional accessibility info

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Details

Mission and objectives

As the guardian of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), the three International Drug Control Conventions and the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), UNODC is mandated to support Member States in the implementation of measures to comply with the Conventions, as well as to coordinate regional and international drug control actions. To this end, UNODC has the expertise and capacity to assist Member States in combating drug trafficking and organized crime.

Context

The UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific works with the region’s various national governments, civil society stakeholders, regional priorities agreed by ASEAN, the Mekong MOU, and international partners, to help address the region’s development challenges, specifically in relation to drugs, crime and security related issues. The focus of this work is guided by UNODC mandates and the priorities of ASEAN and wider region. In order to ensure that UNODC’s support is clearly directed towards agreed strategic priorities, a Regional Programme (RP) was developed in consultation with regional governments. The RP outlines the scope of UNODC’s work in Southeast Asia, defining the framework for delivering a substantial and coherent programme of work, which will be governed cooperatively and flexibly in order to adapt to emerging needs and opportunities. UNODC’s support in Southeast Asia focuses to realize six outcomes: 1) effective and evidence-based responses to the production, trafficking and non-medical use of drugs, effective prevention of, and response to, 2) transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking, 3) prevention and countering of corruption and economic crime, 4) prevention and countering of terrorism, including terrorism financing and the spread of violent extremism, 5) fair, effective, accountable criminal justice systems accessible to all, and 6) timely approach to crime and security threats in emergency, fragility and transition. The UNV will be based at the UNODC programme office in Lao PDR and work in Drugs and Health sub-programme which contributes to the achievement of the outcome 1 of the regional programme. S/he will support the management of programme implementation on health-related areas and report directly to the Regional Drugs and Health Programme Officer under the overall supervision of the Regional Representative. The UNODC programme office in Lao PDR, has a track record of providing technical support in promoting evidence-based interventions in treatment and care of drug use disorders including supporting the implementation of community-based services for people who use drugs in Lao PDR. The UNODC programme office in Lao PDR is located in Vientiane Capital. It has three international staff and 20 national staff currently working and is expanding.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Regional Drugs and Health Programme Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Drugs and Health Officer will:

•  Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/ projects, including; by monitoring programme/project development and implementation; reviewing relevant documents and reports; identifying challenges and other issues; proposing corrective actions; liaising with relevant parties; identifying and tracking follow-up actions
•  Maintain a current knowledge of substantive and operational developments in the areas of drug prevention and treatment, as well as HIV prevention and related trends, at national, regional and international levels;
•  Support to national staff in implementation of project activities with key counterparts in Lao PDR, design, implement and monitor drug demand reduction (DDR) and HIV prevention and treatment activities. This involves, inter alia, the identification of problems and issues to be addressed and recommendation of actions, interventions or activities;
•  Provide technical support and oversight to national authorities for the pilot of Opioid Agonist Therapy in Houaphanh Province;
•  Prepare/draft a variety of written outputs, such as background papers, correspondence with governments, working papers, mission reports, analyses, briefings, communication/visibility material and reporting, presentations, policy proposals and documents, regular and ad hoc reports, studies, summary reports, manuals, guides, toolkits, etc.
•  Provide administrative and substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences including proposing agenda topics, identifying, and nominating participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, support the handling of logistics.
•  Undertake outreach activities: participate in the development of training workshops, seminars; participate in and make presentations on assigned topics/activities; where relevant conduct trainings on relevant topics
•  Participate in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection.
•  Represent the organization’s drugs and health mandates at national, regional and international fora.
•  Perform other work-related duties as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

5 years of experience in the management programmes on public health or development cooperation

•  Experience in the areas of drugs and health, and of related capacity-building, at the national or international level is required;
•  Work experience in or on South-East Asia and the Pacific, with governmental or intergovernmental health-related institutions is desirable;
•  Experience in implementing Opioid Agonist Therapy at national level is desirable;
•  Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
•  Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
•  Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
•  Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
•  Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
•  Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
•  Sound security awareness;
•  Have affinity with or interest in UNODC’s health mandate and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Community development, Development programmes, Health

Driving license

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Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Laotian, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in public health, medicine, international relations, political science, psychology, social sciences, development cooperation or a related field

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;
•  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;
•  Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, is a rapidly developing city that is becoming more modern with each passing year. Vientiane has a wide range of housing options, from high-end apartments and houses to more modest accommodations. The cost of living in Vientiane is relatively affordable compared to other Southeast Asian cities. However, rents in the city center can be expensive, especially for larger and more modern apartments. The transportation system in Vientiane is not as developed as in some other cities in the region. There are no trains or metro systems, but the city has a variety of transportation options including tuk-tuks, taxis, and buses. Many residents also choose to ride bicycles or motorcycles to get around the city. Vientiane has a tropical climate. The wet season lasts from May to October, while the dry season is from November to April. During the wet season, heavy rains can cause flooding in some parts of the city. Vientiane has many local and international restaurants to choose from. Most people in the city speak Lao, which is the official language, but many also speak English or French, especially in tourist areas and in the business community. Mobile phone coverage is widely available throughout Vientiane, and most people use mobile phones for communication. Internet access is also widely available in Vientiane, with many cafes and restaurants offering free Wi-Fi. ATMs are everywhere in the city and international cards can usually be used to withdraw Laotian Kip. Overall, Vientiane is a safe and comfortable city to live in, but it is important to be aware of cultural differences and to take necessary precautions to stay safe.

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