Research and Awareness Specialist

The United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was established in 1997 and in Vienna, Austria. UNODC is s a world leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. It operates through 54 regional offices, covering more than 150 countries. Its regional office for Western and Central Africa (ROSEN) is located in Dakar, Senegal and has been active in the region for more than 20 years. Currently ROSEN covers 22 countries and has established 13 field offices.

The Research and Awareness Unit produces evidence-based analysis on drugs and crime in West and Central Africa to inform policy making. Ongoing research projects include reports on crimes in the fishery sector, drug trafficking and violent extremism in prisons. The Unit also works with member states to develop their capacity to produce, collect, share and analyze drugs and crime related data.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Research and Awareness Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Project implementation:
• Organize national and regional workshops on topical issues such as terrorism, violent extremism, transnational organized crime (TOC), drug trafficking, trafficking in persons, firearms, etc.;
• Support the development and implementation of national strategies on transnational organized crime and/or violent extremism;
• Contribute to the development of the workplan, the methodology and the structure of re-search papers in consultation with the senior consultant, the direct supervisor, UNODC ROSEN experts and with the overall guidance of UNODC Research and Analysis Branch;
• Contribute to the production of research papers on transnational organized crime, TiP/SOM, violent extremism, corruption and money-laundering in the West African region;
• Support any other research related activities implemented by the R&A unit;
• Contribute to the organization of various R&A activities, field missions, and strategic meetings; Undertake other complementary activities which will support the development of ROSEN Research unit activities as may be required.

Research :
• Support/participate to field-research on drugs and crime, including transnational organized crime and terrorism, as well as States’ responses to these issues;
• Collect and review information and data from governments, inter-governmental/non-governmental organizations, research institutes, media, UNODC or other UN Offices, and other relevant sources. Monitor national and international online news in the region and com-pile irregular migration and migrant smuggling related news clippings on a daily basis;
• Create and maintain databases on drugs and crime in the region;
• Develop partnerships with U.N. agencies and independent research institutions in the region to promote research in West and Central Africa.

Communication:
• Draft communication outputs, including press-releases, web stories and social media posts on research findings;
• Prepare and deliver presentations on key research findings to policy makers;
• Coordinate research and analysis initiatives with UNOWAS, UNOCA and other UN Secretariat presences in West and Central Africa;
• Support the organization of media events report launches and press conferences.

• Support with any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
• Support with any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.