Counter Terrorism Specialist

The United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandate across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 38 Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and € ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy. The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) is part of UNOCT and promotes the delivery of United Nations capacity building assistance to Member States. 

The position supports the work of the UNCCT in capacity building activities relating to Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE). The Consultant will focus on supporting effective project implementation and evaluation.

The Specialist will provide technical guidance as follows:

• Provide direct assistance to, and in some cases lead, the planning and delivery of capacity building activities, at the global level.
• Provide input and coordinate the scoping, planning and delivery process of capacity building activity for the Project.
• Communicate with national, regional, CSO and industry stakeholders on the implementation of the project under the guidance of the Programme Manager.
• Propose plan and conduct scoping missions to Member States and regional bodies to determine capacity building needs and develop plans for implementation.
• Plan, develop and conduct workshops and other training on PVE through strategic communications, under the supervision of the Programme Manager.
• Plan, develop and conduct technical assistance activities on PVE.
• Coordinate with other UN, regional and CSO entities on the delivery of capacity building workshops.
• Provide assistance to the development and management of a global stakeholder network of PVE practitioners.
• Identify, advise and develop opportunities for programme iteration and the collection of global good practices. 
• Contribute to the lessons learned reviews of PVE capacity building activities.
• Provide technical support for critical meetings, conferences, seminars for UNCCT PVE- focused issues.
• Contribute to the project’s Measurement and Evaluation framework and systems.

The Specialist will provide quarterly reports setting out progress against the following key deliverables:

• Deliver, and provide direct assistance for the delivery of capacity building activities, including regional, national and subnational workshops and technical assistance.
• Assist and deliver scoping missions to support the project outcomes.
• Contribute to the continued development and incorporation of good practice and lessons learned into the project delivery.
• Contribute to the project’s Measurement and Evaluation framework.

• Advanced university degree in strategic communications, political science, international relations, public administration, strategic public relations, or other relevant field.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience with at least three years of experience on prevention or countering of violent extremism, with significant field experience.
• Direct experience in the delivery of PVE projects and programmes is required.
• Experience conducting scoping missions, engaging with government, CSO and industry, and delivering workshops, training and technical assistance would be an asset.

• Fluency in English is required. Fluency is another UN language is an asset.

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: IICA-2/ICSC-10
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
Contract modality: full time monthly contract.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC)

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.