As part of UNODC’s technical cooperation programme with the Palestinian Authority, a project on “Strengthening the management, operation and oversight of civil prisons administered by the Palestinian Authority (PSET49)” was launched in March 2009. The objective of the project is to provide assistance in strengthening the management, and operation of civil prisons administered by the Palestinian Authority. This is to be achieved through developing general and specialized prison staff training; strengthening systems for strategic planning and management; and improving prison health and welfare. These priority areas of reforms are designed as an initial step towards achieving sustainable reform and development of the civil prison service.  

Throughout implementation of the project, a National Project Officer will be based with the national counterpart at the Ministry of Interior to facilitate smooth and direct technical cooperation between UNODC and counterparts and to ensure sustainability of the project.

 

The incumbent will be under the overall guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative, the direct supervision of the Head of the Programme Coordination and Analysis Unit and shall be reporting to the project coordinator of PSET49 on activities related to this project. The Project Officer will undertake the following tasks:

 

1. Liaise closely with the Palestinian Authority, provide expert substantive advice and assist the implementation and the related coordination and liaison of the UNODC project in full compliance with the overall substantive and operational guidance provided by UNODC, including

·        Provide daily updates on project implementation activities and strategies and incorporating counterpart feedback;

·        Provide expert advice on substantive issues related to the project;

·        In conjunction with the International Project Coordinator plan, manage, coordinate and implement the project strategies and activities as outlined in the project documents;

·        Liaise and work closely with other international organizations and relevant project partners ensure punctual consistency of activities with the project overall execution;

·        Aid the preparation and dissemination of workplans, terms of reference, project documents and all project-related documentation;

·        Provide guidance and help orientate the efforts and contributions of consultants, project personnel, donors, institutions and the Palestinian Authorities towards the achievement of project objectives;

·        Identify needs and determine necessary actions to be taken and provide feedback on impact;

·        Coordinate the work of the national/international consultants/experts;

·        Supervise the organization and implementation of training courses, seminars, working groups, workshops and study tours.

 

2. Manage the coordination between the project partners in terms of overall policy and strategy, including:

·        Convene regular meetings between project partners and coordinate the planning and reporting exercises;

 

 

3. Promote the elaboration, initiation and implementation of the technical assistance projects in the prison system reform project following the general strategy of UNODC in Prison system reform, including:

 

·         Identify and maintain contacts with donor countries, funding and co-operating agencies, including UN relevant agencies present in the region, as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations;

·         Assist in the mobilization of additional resources for the projects activities;

·         Develop further technical assistance projects on criminal justice matters, pursuant to the Government’s request;

·         Promote a better understanding of the importance of crime prevention and control and advocate its inclusion in government planning;

·         Coordinate relevant inputs and participate in the design of a programme for the possible expansion of UNODC technical assistance activities to the Palestinian Authorities;

·         Develop institutional links between UNODC and all national and international organizations operating in the region.

4. Carry out other tasks as assigned.

 

·        Core values: integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity;

·        Core competencies: analytical, planning and organizational skills; communication skills; teamwork; creativity; client orientation; commitment to continuous learning; technological awareness and ability to utilize them effectively in work, especially office computer applications.

 

EDUCATION: 

·         Advanced University degree in law, criminology or relevant social or political areas with adequate focus on crime justice issues;

·         Experience in crime prevention and criminal justice;

·         Thorough knowledge of treatment of offenders, rehabilitation and crime prevention policies;

·         Exposure to international development cooperation in crime prevention and criminal justice and experience in project elaboration, implementation and monitoring;

·         Work experience in the United Nations system and knowledge of the work of the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme is highly desirable;

·         A broad understanding of the situation in the region related to the crime prevention and criminal justice matters is highly desirable;

·         Political and cultural sensitivity and readiness to work in an environment of insecurity.

Fluency in English and Arabic, with excellent drafting skills, is essential; knowledge of other official United Nations languages is an advantage.