Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer (Temporary)

The incumbent will coordinate and implement crime prevention and criminal justice programmes in Ghana and the wider West and Central Africa region, focusing on penal and prison reform, capacity-building for criminal justice agencies, and promoting international standards. The role involves programme management, stakeholder coordination, policy advice, and resource mobilization within the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the EU-funded EU for a Secure Ghana programme, ensuring timely delivery of results in accordance with UNODC and donor requirements.
• Support and coordinate capacity-building activities for Ghanaian security and criminal justice agencies on detection, investigation, prosecution and prevention of firearms and explosives trafficking, including illegal mining.
• Serve as UNODC's focal point for penal and prison reform in Ghana and the region, promoting implementation of international standards and norms such as the Nelson Mandela Rules, Bangkok Rules and Tokyo Rules.
• Design, coordinate and facilitate technical assistance aimed at rationalizing imprisonment, strengthening prison management and oversight, improving prison conditions, promoting alternatives to incarceration, and supporting offender rehabilitation and social reintegration.
• Represent UNODC in Ghana and participate in United Nations coordination mechanisms and relevant national, regional and international meetings, conferences and policy forums.
• Maintain effective partnerships and coordination with government counterparts, the European Union, United Nations entities, regional organizations, civil society and other stakeholders, advocating for UNODC's mandates and strategic priorities.
• Monitor political, legislative and institutional developments relevant to crime prevention, criminal justice, prison reform, security and rule of law, providing strategic advice and substantive inputs to programme development, policy dialogue and technical cooperation initiatives.
• Manage the Programme Office in Ghana, including supervision of personnel, administration of financial and physical resources, operational planning, compliance with United Nations rules and regulations, and promotion of a safe, inclusive and respectful work environment.
• Develop workplans, budgets, monitoring frameworks and analytical products; coordinate data collection and results measurement; prepare high-quality narrative, financial and substantive reports, briefing notes, presentations and other communication products.
• Contribute to resource mobilization efforts through development of project proposals, engagement with donors and partners, and identification of opportunities to expand UNODC's programme portfolio.
• Ensure integration of human rights, gender equality, disability inclusion and youth empowerment across all programme activities and technical assistance services.
• Contribute to preparation of policy papers, technical guidance, intergovernmental documentation and reports for UNODC, the United Nations Secretariat and relevant intergovernmental bodies.
• Provide substantive inputs and/or contribute to preparation of substantive and programmatic reports to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other legislative and technical bodies.
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Perform other work-related duties as required.

Requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, economics, international relations, law, 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 minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice is required.
• Work experience at the national or international level in the field of penal or prison reform is required.
• Work experience in project management, implementation, monitoring, and reporting is required.
• Work experience in designing and delivering capacity-building activities, workshops or training courses for criminal justice officials, including prison or probation officers, is required.
• Work experience coordinating with government institutions, international organizations, donors, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders is required.
• Work experience in fostering the practical application of the United Nations standards and norms related to prison and offender management is desirable.
• Work experience in the United Nations system or in an international organization is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
• English is required at UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
• French is desirable at UN Level II proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Skills

• Crime Prevention
• Criminal Justice
• Penal Reform
• Prison Reform
• Project Management
• Programme Implementation
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Capacity Building
• Training Delivery
• Workshop Facilitation
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Policy Advice
• Resource Mobilization
• United Nations Standards
• Data Analytics

Languages

English, French