Mission and objectives

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism, with widely recognized expertise and specialization on issues pertaining to international cooperation in criminal matters. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices. The UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (ROSEAP) has a team of over 300 staff providing advice and technical assistance related to the rule of law, non-traditional security threats, law enforcement, criminal justice and drug-related supply and health issues. The Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok is home to a multi-disciplinary team of close to 100 regional programme managers, advisors and administrators working with, and supporting, Member States and regional organizations, and aligned programme offices. To implement its work the closest to where it is needed, ROSEAP has satellite presence in 10 countries, including in Fiji.

Context

The Gender, Social Inclusion and Anti-Corruption expert will be based in Suva, Fiji, at the UNODC Pacific Office, supporting Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) mainstreaming across UNODC’s thematic areas in the Pacific region. The role will strengthen the inclusivity and responsiveness of UNODC’s work to ensure that interventions are equitable, culturally sensitive, and address the needs of women, youth, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. This position will provide cross-cutting technical and coordination support to UNODC Pacific’s anti-corruption programme while building partnerships with governments, civil society, and regional organizations to advance GEDSI commitments.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the UNODC Pacific Head of Office, the Gender, Social Inclusion and Anti-Corruption Expert will: • Provide technical advice and guidance on integrating GEDSI considerations into UNODC’s anti-corruption and governance initiatives. • Lead the design and delivery of inclusive policies, tools, and capacity-building activities for governments, civil society, and regional organizations. • Support the adaptation of global UNODC anti-corruption frameworks and tools to Pacific contexts with a strong GEDSI focus. • Facilitate partnerships and consultations with women’s organizations, youth networks, and disability groups to strengthen participation in anti-corruption reforms. • Conduct research and analysis on the intersection of corruption and exclusion, documenting risks such as sextortion, barriers to reporting, and access challenges. • Develop knowledge products, case studies, and advocacy materials showcasing inclusive approaches to corruption prevention in the Pacific. • Contribute to monitoring and evaluation, including tracking GEDSI indicators in anti-corruption and governance projects. • Support donor engagement by contributing to proposals, progress reports, and briefings on GEDSI integration in anti-corruption work. • Provide mentoring and capacity support to junior colleagues and partners on main-streaming GEDSI in programming. • Perform other related duties as required to strengthen inclusive anti-corruption approaches.

Competencies and values

Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment and Motivation Communication Integrity Professionalism Respect for Diversity Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

Fiji, one of the largest countries of the South Pacific region, has a relatively high level of human development and is one of the most developed economies in the region. After nearly a century under British colonial rule, Fiji gained independence in 1970. Its multi-ethnic population, which numbers approximately 900,000, is growing slowly due to a moderately low level of fertility and a high level of emigration. The economy rests primarily on sugar production and tourism, but is becoming more diverse, with manufacturing now an important sector of employment. The unit of currency is Fiji Dollar. Fiji covers about 1.3 million square kilometres of the South Pacific Ocean and comprises of over 300 islands, approximately a third of which being inhabited. The two major islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The capital city is Suva, which is located on the southeastern side of the main island of Viti Levu. While Fiji nominally belongs to the Melanesian subregion of Oceania, its population is made up of a mix of native Melanesian and Polynesian islanders and a blend of Indian, European, Chinese, Rotuman and Rabi islanders, making it a rich and vibrant mix of cultures, sights, sounds and flavours. English is spoken widely and is the common language of communication, although the indigenous Fijian language, iTaukei, is spoken by many, as is the Hindi language. Fiji enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year due to the large expanses of open water that surround its islands. The wet season extends from November to April, but rain falls throughout the year. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous. Fiji enjoys year-round tropical temperatures of between 25-29 degrees with generally high humidity. Suva, the capital of Fiji, has a population of approximately 141,000, and is a multiracial and multicultural city. Suva is the largest city in the entire region, boasting reasonably modern facilities including two large hospitals, sporting facilities, restaurants and supermarkets. While modest accommodation is readily available in Suva, the availability of small apartments is limited and rents are high. Public transportation is relatively good and local busses run every day of the week, but taxis are affordable and remain the most reliable method of transport. Fiji, along with many other Pacific islands, is known for being one of the friendliest nations in the world. However, security precautions should be taken at all times. Suva is a generally safe city, where common sense takes a long way in avoiding risks such as petty theft, pickpockets and house burglaries.