Consultant (WDR Drug Demand and Health Consequences)

Result of ServiceThe consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: - Cary out a comprehensive review of the literature, both scientific (published in peer-reviewed journals) and grey (national reports and other accessible publications), and of available data from international, regional and national institutions or organizations, including from the annual report questionnaire; - Develop an outline of the online segment of the WDR on drug demand and health consequences; - Analyse available data and produce global, regional and national estimates on drug demand and health consequences; Work LocationHome-based Expected duration1.11.25-31.12.25 (with the possibility of extension until the end of May 2026) Duties and ResponsibilitiesUNODC’s flagship report, the World Drug Report (WDR) is an annual publication, which aims to improve the understanding of the world drug problem and to contribute towards fostering greater international cooperation for countering its effect on health, governance and security. The Report is made of a number of booklets and include an online segment. Each year the Report provides an overview of the world drug situation with regard to the illicit cultivation and production of drugs, as well as their trafficking and use; it also includes thematic chapters that highlight an area of interest from a research and policy perspective. The World Drug Report is produced by the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, with the Research and Knowledge Production Section in the lead and involvement of expert staff across the Branch and in other Branches/Divisions across UNODC. The purpose of the assignment is to produce an analysis of global and regional trends in drug demand and health consequences for the World Drug Report and contribute to its integration into the 2026 edition. This consultancy will be home-based. The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Research and Knowledge Production Section, and under the supervision of the Statistician on drugs in the Data, Analytics and Statistics Section, and in close collaboration with other colleagues from the Research and Trend Analysis Branch, Division of Policy Analysis (DPA). The output of the consultancy will aim at presenting the current situation and trends regarding drug use and health consequences both at the global and regional levels as well as contributing to analysis of the latest developments. Qualifications/special skills• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in public health, epidemiology, sociology or a closely related field. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • Minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of public health, epidemiology, sociology or a related field with a track record of scientific publications on the subject, or contribution to published reports is required. • Good record of analytical work based on quantitative methods, preferably in drug use epidemiology, or public health is required. • Experience in managing datasets and in the use of statistical software is required. • Excellent planning and organizational skills are required. • Demonstrated analytical, research, writing and communication skills are required. • Experience of working in the field of drug epidemiology, in particular on drug use is desirable. • Experience in producing analytical publications according to UN standards is desirable. Languages• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.