United Nations – Research Officer (Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants)

This position is located in the Research Innovation and Partnership Section (IPS), Research and Trend Analysis Branch (RAB), Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs (DPA) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Research Coordinator on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. For more information on UNODC, please visit www.unodc.org

Within assigned authority, the Research Officer (Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants) will perform the following specific tasks: • Provide substantive support to the development of country-specific survey plans and strategies to estimate the prevalence of trafficking in persons at country level, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, Latin America and Asia. Participate in the organisation of social surveys at field level, adopt special sampling methods for hard-to-reach/hidden population. • Carry out field research to monitor trends and characteristics of migrant smuggling at regional levels, including the analysis of the smuggling of migrants flows in and from Africa and the Middle East, Latin America and Asia. Keep abreast of social research methodology, knowledge of available data sources for geographical areas of special research interest for smuggling of migrants. • Conduct social research and quantitative data collection on trafficking in persons patterns and flows at global, regional and country levels. • Contribute to the production of the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. • Conduct qualitative field research, including semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, ensuring the highest attainable quality, and storing collected data in appropriate formats, as well as analyzing the information collected. Prepare research and ethical guidelines, methodologies and data collection instruments. • Participate in cross-sectional research teams on other organized crime related topics, in line with the agile team approach being implemented at Research and Trends Analysis Branch. • Analyze qualitative and quantitative data and compile analytical outputs, written products, national studies, country briefs and papers. Draft texts, edit, review and provide feedback on the work prepared by colleagues, as well as researchers, consultants and contractors at field levels. • Contribute to the organization, planning and implementation of quantitative surveys activities in field locations. Assist and follow up on all administrative processes in relation to the engagement of external partners and other partnership agreements, as well as procurement processes. • Develop sustainable relations and partnerships with donors, external stakeholders and experts within the field of smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons. • Identify strategically relevant funding opportunities within the field of smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons that demand further research and translate these into concept notes and project proposals. • Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other work-related assignments as may be required.

Professionalism: Has knowledge of and specialization in substantive and functional areas with very good analytical and drafting skills; has knowledge and understanding of theories and concepts related to crime issues, specifically on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants; is able to use sound judgment; has strong analytical skills and the ability to identify and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; is able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management; is able to carry out administrative tasks for project implementation, including external partner engagement, procurements and recruitments; is able evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources, draw conclusions and assess impact on developments and policy issues; 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. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in criminology, sociology, economics, political science and related social science or statistics is required. 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.

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in social science research and data collection on crime related topics is required. Work experience in the preparation of analytical research reports on crime related topics is required. Work experience in data analytics and surveys on crime related topics is required. Work experience in conducting qualitative field research on topics related to trafficking in persons or smuggling of migrants is desirable. Work experience with counterparts in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America or Asia is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

This position is funded from project funds. 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 will be subject to the availability of funding. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.  At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.  All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs.  The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff.  Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

THE 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.