Mission and objectives
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997 and is the global leader in the fight for global peace and security, human rights, and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption, and terrorism by working for and with Member States to promote justice and the rule of law and build resilient societies. UNODC has its HQ in Vienna, Austria, and operates in more than 80 countries around the world through its network of 115 field offices as well as liaison offices in New York and Brussels with 2,400 UNODC personnel globally. UNODC works closely with Governments and civil society towards building security and justice for all. The UNODC Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA) covers 18 countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen). In addition to the Regional Office located in Cairo, Egypt, there are 10 Programmes Offices in Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen. The Regional Office in Cairo where the UN Volunteer will be placed has a total of 122 staff members. The UNODC Office in Tunis plays a pivotal role in supporting Tunisian authorities through a wide array of projects spanning several thematic areas. These projects cover crucial topics such as combating drug trafficking, preventing terrorism, fostering criminal justice reform, and tackling corruption and illicit financial flows. The office works closely with national stakeholders to build capacity, enhance legal frameworks, and implement international standards and norms. By providing technical assistance, training, and policy advice, the UNODC Office in Tunis aims to bolster Tunisia’s efforts in creating a safer, more just, and resilient society. Through its comprehensive approach, the office addresses both the symptoms and root causes of crime and drug-related challenges, ensuring a holistic contribution to the country’s stability and security.
Context
This volunteering opportunity is supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Tunisia in the framework of the initiative launched in partnership with UNV in December 2023 to foster youth and disability inclusion through meaningful and impactful volunteering assignments with the United Nations between 2024 and 2026. The Programs Office in Tunis, operating under the auspices of the regional office for the MENA region, provides technical support to the government in various sectors, including: i) technical support for the development of strategies and programs for the prevention and management of drug use disorders in accordance with international standards, particularly targeting the youth population; ii) combating human trafficking and the illicit trafficking of migrants; iii) supporting the strengthening and modernization of the penitentiary and criminal justice system, notably through technical support for the prevention of recidivism via Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBTs), the Prevention of Violent Extremism, Rehabilitation of Children and young people in correctional services, Gender Responsive Correctional Services, and HIV and transmissible diseases in prisons; iv) through regional programs, provides technical support in the areas of border control, combating cybercrime, and strengthening capacities in criminal analysis and forensic science; v) through global programs, works in collaboration with national partners in the field of Container Control, terrorism prevention, maritime crimes, and research.
Task description
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office of UNODC Office in Tunis, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1) Provide support to ensure timely reporting and monitoring of activities, including project activities. This includes: – Assisting in drafting literature reviews and background notes on assigned topics; – Collecting relevant information about project activities and contributions from relevant colleagues to help consolidating project reports for donors; – Contributing to the production of monitoring reports for activities and projects (annual, regional, national, and administrative reports); – Attending all scheduled monthly meetings to take detailed notes; – Summarizing the key points, decisions, and action items discussed during the meetings; – Drafting clear and concise notes and distributing them to all meeting participants within an agreed-upon timeframe after the meeting; – Supporting in drafting any other relevant documents. 2) Support in maintaining an organized record of official correspondence, meeting notes, and reports for efficient information retrieval and historical record-keeping. – Assisting in drafting official communication (Notes Verbales); – Help in catalogue the documents by date, type, and subject for easy access; – Help in ensuring that all documents are stored in a secure, organised manner, and according to office’s filling protocol; – Organize digital documents within the office’s cloud storage solution (e.g., Google Drive or a similar platform); – Create folders and subfolders with clear naming conventions that reflect the contents and date of documents; – Implement a regular review schedule to update and clean the drive, removing outdated files and duplicates to maintain efficiency. 3) Perform other functions to support the office management and programmes as might be required
Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 26
Additional eligibility criteria
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Nationality
Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
Donor priorities
.
Requirements
Required experience
No experience required
Area(s) of expertise
Development programmes
Driving license
–
Languages
French, Level: Fluent, Required Arabic, Level: Fluent, Required English, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Political Sciences, Social Sciences, International Relations, Law, Criminal Law, Criminology, Human Rights, or a related field.
Competencies and values
☒ Accountability ☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☐ Building Trust ☐ Client Orientation ☒ Commitment and Motivation ☐ Commitment to Continuous Learning ☒ Communication ☐ Creativity ☐ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☐ Integrity ☐ Judgement and Decision-making ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☐ Leadership ☐ Managing Performance ☐ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☐ Respect for Diversity ☐ Self-Management ☒ Technological Awareness ☐ Vision ☐ Working in Teams
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Geography and climate: Tunisia has a total population of over ten million, with about 60% living in urban locations. Tunis is the capital of the country and the largest city (population of approximately two million in and outside the city proper). It is located just six miles (ten kilometres) from the Gulf of Tunis, and sits on the shores of a lake that connects with the Mediterranean Sea. Being a small country, all destinations within Tunisia can be reached in a day’s drive. Tunisia is bordered in the southeast by Libya and in the west by Algeria. Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate. Language: The official language of Tunisia is Arabic. French is also widely spoken. Most Tunisians are bilingual and speak both languages, especially UNODC partners. About one percent of the population speaks Berber. English is becoming another language spoken by many Tunisians. Other European languages, such as Italian, are also spoken in commercial and tourist areas of the country.
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
