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VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

HAARP National Programme Officer

The UNODC country office in the Lao PDR is seeking candidates for the position of National Programme Officer with a project entitled, Reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS among drug users through the HAARP Country Flexible Program for Lao PDR. UNODC is promoting and facilitating actions against illicit drug production, abuse and trafficking, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, human trafficking, money laundering and corruption; trans-national organized crime and terrorism.

Duty station: Vientiane, Lao PDR

Duration: 12 months (with a three month probation period) with possibility of contract extension

Position Summary

Under the overall guidance of the Representative of UNODC, Laos, and with technical support from our global HIV programme (particularly the Regional HIV Team), the National Programme Officer (NPO) will collaborate with the National Task Force on Drugs and HIV, the WHO NPO, and other relevant Government Ministries, UN agencies, and INGOs in implementing the Country Flexible Program (CFP). The NPO would be expected to liaise with all implementing partners and will also draw on technical assistance from the HAARP Regional Technical Coordination Unit.  The overall goal is to ultimately strengthen national capacity to develop and implement harm reduction strategies which effectively address the need for HIV prevention among drug users.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist the Government in the assessment of the HIV situation amongst drug users, the development of a national harm reduction policy which is integrated into the national drug strategy, with implementation plans, and sound monitoring and evaluation of harm reduction strategies.
• Facilitate and coordinate collaboration with relevant stakeholders at the national level; namely the National Task Force, WHO, Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC), Centre for HIV and AIDS (CHAS), Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Security, as well as other relevant Ministries, UN Agencies, INGOs, and other implementing partners.
• Participate in relevant technical cooperation and coordination meetings, particularly the Joint United Nations Team on HIV and AIDS (JUNTA) and undertake necessary follow-up action, to ensure UNODC effectively contributes to the Joint UN Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS).
• Advocate for evidence-based practices in reducing the harms associated with drug use and their application in Lao PDR.
• Identify capacity building and staff development needs and opportunities of relevant stakeholders to ensure compatibility with evidence-based international harm reduction practices.
• Assessment of the CFP's progress, preparation of annual work plans, monitoring of expenditure, and reporting to the HQs, Regional Office, Government ( National Task Force ) and donors; in addition to identifying gaps and opportunities that the CFP could address.
• Liaise with national and international harm reduction agencies and NGOs working at the field level, to integrate programme activities by seeking the needs of the community and inputs of other projects.

Skills and Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in public health, sociology or other related areas;
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience at the national level in managing HIV/AIDS prevention and care programmes among injecting drug users, in prison settings and as it relates to the trafficking in human beings;
• Knowledge of and/or practical experience in the area of organisation and delivery of training programmes in the field of HIV/AIDS and drug dependence would be an asset.
• Proven ability to work independently and as a member of a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team.
• Well-developed communication skills to liaise, negotiate and advocate with key stakeholders including with other implementing agencies.
• Ability to write reports and reviews and conduct presentations by clearly formulating positions on issues and defending recommendations.

• Must have strong computer skills (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Lao

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Applicants should submit a motivation letter and CV by 30th November 2009, to:

UNODC

Administrative Office

Kaysone Phomvihane Avenue, P.O. Box 345, Vientiane, Lao PDR

Tel:  +856 21 413204/416427/ Fax: + 856 21 413203

or by email to: FOLao@unodc.org

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview. Grade according to qualifications and experience.