Programme Officer (Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants) - Temporary
Organizational Context
This position is based in the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Panama City. The role operates within the Division for Operations, reporting to the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer and the Representative, with substantive guidance from UNODC headquarters.
Job Purpose
The Programme Officer will manage, coordinate, and implement technical cooperation projects and interventions aimed at combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Central America and the Caribbean. This involves providing technical expertise, promoting UNODC's work in line with international protocols, and developing/implementing assistance projects focused on criminal justice, law enforcement, and prosecution. The role supports project formulation, implementation monitoring, and evaluation, contributing to UNODC's strategic objectives and resource mobilization efforts in the region. Additionally, the incumbent will facilitate capacity-building for criminal justice actors and contribute to UNODC's visibility and operational development.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities include managing and implementing anti-human trafficking and migrant smuggling projects in Central America and the Caribbean, providing technical expertise and support to relevant authorities. The role involves promoting UNODC's work on these issues, developing and implementing technical assistance projects with a focus on criminal justice, and coordinating project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The Programme Officer will contribute to UNODC's strategic initiatives, prepare project proposals, and engage in resource mobilization. Facilitating training and capacity-building for criminal justice actors, preparing written outputs, supporting meetings, and providing technical advice are also core duties. Data analysis for trend identification and reporting, as well as leading field missions, are expected.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of professional experience in managing, implementing, and coordinating criminal justice and crime prevention projects at national, regional, and international levels is required. Experience in designing, delivering, and evaluating technical assistance projects on human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and providing training to authorities on victim-centered responses, is also necessary. Experience with UN systems or similar organizations and in data analytics is desirable.
Skills
Professionalism, teamwork, and planning & organizing are core competencies. Specific skills include in-depth knowledge of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, crime prevention, criminal justice policies, research and analytical skills, problem-solving, data analysis, and effective communication. Ability to provide training to criminal justice professionals and manage conflicting priorities is essential.