Associate Programme Officer (Cybercrime)

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the UNODC Programme Office in San José, Costa Rica (POCRI) operating under the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean in Panama (ROPAN), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the UNODC Representative of ROPAN, as first reporting officer and the overall guidance of the Programme Coordinator (Head of the Global Programme on Cybercrime) assigned to the Cybercrime and Technology Section (CTS), Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch (OCB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as second reporting officer, and the substantive guidance of the Team Leader, Technical Cooperation, Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section (HTMSS), Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch (OCB), Division for Treaty Affairs (DTA), as additional supervisor. For more information on UNODC visit www.unodc.org. ResponsibilitiesWithin assigned authority the National Programme Officer (Cybercrime Expert) will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Provide support in coordinating project activities in Central America of the digital component of the European Union funded Global Action against the Financial and Digital Dimensions of the Smuggling of Migrants. This includes overall activity coordination, procurement of equipment, contracting service providers and meeting monitoring and reporting obligations related to national stakeholders in Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Colombia. • Contribute to the design and update courses on investigating cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled smuggling of migrants for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judges, first responders and other counterparts incorporating specialized content on digital evidence handling and seizure of devices, specialized and special investigative techniques, and emerging technologies. • Deliver capacity-building workshops and other technical assistance activities on the detection, investigation and prosecution of cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled smuggling of migrants in the clear and darknet, including open-source intelligence (OSINT) and special investigative techniques, such as digital undercover techniques, covert operations, interception of communications, social engineering of networks or data carving • Deliver technical advice and mentorship to national law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and other government officials, including to effectively seize and handle mobile and electronic devices, respecting due process of law. • Draft reports, guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) on cybercrime investigation and digital evidence matters relating to migrant smuggling to support knowledge-sharing and the development of investigative best practices. • Conduct training needs assessments of law enforcement agencies, digital forensic services, prosecution and other criminal justice responses to identify gaps in skills and knowledge related to investigating migrant smuggling, including (in collaboration with other relevant experts) assessing needs in digital evidence collection, the use of specialized software, and open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques and tools. • Research and analyse actual adjudicated cybercrime and migrant smuggling cases and trends, including cyber-dependent incidents of migrant smuggling, to identify lessons learned and emerging trends that inform the project’s strategy and law enforcement training activities. • Coordinate with a wide range of stakeholders, including intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, CSOs, private sector, academic institutions, and other UN agencies, that provide training or support on cybercrime and migrant smuggling, to ensure synergies and avoid duplication. • Assist in ongoing monitoring and evaluation of project activities by collecting data on implementation, drafting progress and evaluation reports, participating in project review meetings, and following up on recommended actions to ensure effectiveness and impact of the project. • In coordination with the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling of Persons Section, liaise with relevant parties to ensure project implementation, including Law Enforcement Agencies, Ministries of Interior, Ministries of Justice, Attorney General Offices, and Supreme Courts in selected countries for the purpose of project implementation and the advancement of the Global Action against the Financial and Digital Dimensions of the Smuggling of Migrants. • Support the visibility of UNODC’s anti-migrant smuggling work in the region in accordance with the communications plan, including by submitting inputs to communication actions and products in a timely manner; ensure project donor(s) visibility in all public activities; • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Document requirements and background information used for data analysis. • Report to the Project Coordinator of the Global Programme on Cybercrime overseeing the cybercrime component of the Global Action against the Financial and Digital-based Dimensions of the Smuggling of Migrants. • Perform other work-related duties as required by the UNODC Representative for Central America and the Caribbean, and the Head of the Global Programme on Cybercrime and other Regional Offices. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Demonstrates in-depth substantive knowledge and specialization in the field of counter-cybercrime law enforcement and/or prosecution. Demonstrates ability to adapt knowledge and skills to the field of migrant smuggling. Has knowledge of policies and practices in international criminal justice and crime prevention and relevant UNODC mandates. Has knowledge of programme/project administration, implementation, evaluation, technical cooperation, programming and budgeting. Has very good research and analytical skills. Has knowledge of and ability to provide training to prosecutors, law enforcement officers, digital forensic experts, or other criminal justice officials in matters relating to the investigation and prosecution of organized crime. Is able to evaluate, identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. Demonstrates ability to apply good judgement in the context of assignments given and to coordinate the work of others. Is able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminal justice, law enforcement, computer science, digital forensics, or a closely related field is required. A first-level university degree in a similar field, in combination with two additional years of relevant professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of two (2) years of relevant, progressively responsible work experience, in crime prevention and criminal justice is required. Work experience in investigating or prosecuting cybercrime, online child sexual abuse and exploitation, or crimes related to virtual assets is desirable. Work experience designing and delivering training on cybercrime or digital investigations is desirable. Work experience related to the smuggling of migrants and related crimes is desirable. Work experience in investigating crimes involving darknet platforms or cryptocurrencies is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations system or in a similar international organization is desirable. Experience with projects related to law enforcement or criminal justice is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is funded from extra budgetary resources. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. 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