Posted by The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is recruiting a Programme Officer at the P-3 level for a temporary position based in Rome, Italy. The role focuses on supporting programmes aimed at strengthening penitentiary systems and social crime prevention policies in Mexico and Guatemala.
The position is available for six months and is funded through extra-budgetary resources. The successful candidate will contribute to research, policy analysis, technical assistance, capacity-building activities, stakeholder engagement, field missions, and project coordination related to criminal justice, prison reform, rehabilitation, and crime prevention.
This Programme Officer opportunity is intended for professionals with an advanced university degree and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in relevant criminal justice, security, penitentiary reform, programme management, or policy development fields.
Job Overview
- Job Title: Programme Officer (Temporary), P3
- Employer: United Nations
- Organization: United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI)
- Location: Rome, Italy
- Employment Type: Temporary
- Position Level: P-3
- Assignment Duration: Six months
- Work Area: Criminal justice, penitentiary reform and social crime prevention
- Minimum Education: Advanced university degree or equivalent
- Minimum Experience: Five years of progressively responsible professional experience
- Required Languages: English and Spanish
- Assessment: Assessment exercise and competency-based interview may be used
- Funding: Extra-budgetary resources
- Duty Station Classification: Rome is classified as an H category family duty station
About UNICRI
The position is based at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute in Rome.
The Programme Officer will work under the day-to-day supervision of the Programme Management Officer responsible for coordinating the Institute’s activities under the Programme for the Strengthening of the Penitentiary System and Social Crime Prevention Policies in Mexico. Overall supervision will be provided by the Senior Programme Manager/Deputy Director.
The role supports UNICRI initiatives concerning penitentiary reform, prison management, rehabilitation, reintegration, and social crime prevention in Mexico and Guatemala.
Programme Officer Job Description
The Programme Officer will provide substantive and technical support for the implementation and expansion of UNICRI initiatives designed to strengthen penitentiary systems and social crime prevention policies.
The work combines programme management, research, policy analysis, technical assistance, capacity building, data analysis, stakeholder coordination, and preparation of technical materials.
The successful candidate will work with government institutions, criminal justice actors, international partners, and other stakeholders while supporting activities in Mexico and Guatemala.
Key Responsibilities
The Programme Officer will be responsible for duties including:
- Support the development and implementation of activities related to penitentiary systems and social crime prevention policies.
- Conduct research concerning prison management, rehabilitation models, penitentiary systems, and crime prevention policies.
- Analyze comparative and regional practices and identify relevant approaches.
- Plan and facilitate workshops, interactive sessions, and stakeholder consultations.
- Support the creation of policy and operational frameworks related to prison reform, rehabilitation, and social crime prevention.
- Establish and maintain technical relationships with Italian central authorities and relevant penitentiary, prosecutorial, law enforcement, and judicial institutions.
- Identify good practices and lessons that can support technical assistance and capacity-building activities.
- Prepare and adapt training materials, operational guidance, and knowledge products.
- Contribute to policy analysis concerning prison overcrowding, rehabilitation, reintegration, and social crime prevention.
- Research emerging and innovative approaches to penitentiary reform and crime prevention.
- Prepare background papers, analytical notes, reports, studies, and other written outputs.
- Support conferences, consultative meetings, workshops, and other programme events.
- Help identify participants, develop agendas, and prepare presentations and supporting documentation.
- Coordinate training workshops and scenario-based exercises for government authorities and relevant stakeholders.
- Participate in or lead field missions.
- Provide technical guidance to consultants, government officials, and other stakeholders during field activities.
- Prepare mission reports and practical recommendations.
- Support programme and project submissions, funding activities, progress tracking, and financial reporting.
- Collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
- Use data visualization methods, including graphs, charts, tables, and reports, to support planning and decision-making.
- Perform other duties related to the position as required.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education
An advanced university degree, such as a Master’s degree or equivalent, is required in one of the following areas:
- Law
- Criminal justice
- Political science
- International relations
- Security studies
- Psychology or behavioral sciences
- Sociology
- A related discipline
A first-level university degree in a similar field may be accepted instead when combined with two additional years of qualifying professional experience.
Professional Experience
Candidates must have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme management, project coordination, technical assistance, or policy development in areas such as:
- Criminal justice
- Security governance
- Penitentiary reform
- Correctional management
- Social crime prevention
Experience in research, policy analysis, and preparation of technical reports, guidance materials, or knowledge products relating to criminal justice, penitentiary systems, rehabilitation, or crime prevention is also required.
Candidates should also have experience organizing and delivering capacity-building activities, including workshops, training programmes, technical assistance, or consultations involving government institutions or criminal justice stakeholders.
Desirable Experience
The following experience is considered desirable:
- Prison reform or prison management.
- Rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
- Correctional system strengthening.
- Work in high-crime or complex security environments.
- Collaboration with law enforcement, prosecutorial, judicial, correctional, or other criminal justice institutions.
- Experience involving organized crime or prison security.
- Data analytics or related work.
- Experience within the United Nations system or comparable international or multilateral organizations.
Languages
English and Spanish are required for this position.
Candidates must have at least UN Level III proficiency in both languages across:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
Core Competencies
Candidates will be assessed on professional competencies including:
- Professionalism
- Planning and organizing
- Communication
Professionalism includes knowledge of penitentiary reform, prison management, rehabilitation, and social crime prevention, together with the ability to conduct independent research, analyze information, work with quantitative and qualitative data, and support decision-making.
The role also requires effective planning, prioritization, resource allocation, risk awareness, and the ability to adjust plans when circumstances change.
Strong communication skills are required, including the ability to communicate clearly, listen effectively, adapt communication to different audiences, and maintain effective two-way communication.
Salary and Benefits
The supplied job listing does not provide a salary figure or a detailed benefits package for this temporary Programme Officer position.
The assignment is funded through extra-budgetary resources and is limited to six months, subject to the availability of funding.
The listing also states that the position is based in Rome, which is classified as an H category family duty station.
Important Information About the Position
The position is temporary and does not create an entitlement to continued employment after the assignment ends.
The actual filling of the position and the duration of the assignment depend on available funding.
The United Nations states that recruitment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs, with consideration given to efficiency, competence, integrity, geographic diversity, and an inclusive working environment.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities to support participation in the recruitment process when requested.
The United Nations also states that it does not charge applicants any fee at any stage of recruitment, including applications, interviews, processing, or training.
Who Should Apply?
This Programme Officer opportunity is suited to professionals with substantial experience in criminal justice, penitentiary reform, correctional management, security governance, social crime prevention, programme management, or related policy areas.
Candidates should have strong research and analytical abilities, experience with technical assistance and capacity building, and the ability to work with government institutions and criminal justice stakeholders.
Professionals with experience in prison reform, rehabilitation, reintegration, complex security environments, data analytics, or international and multilateral organizations may also meet the desirable experience criteria listed for the role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Programme Officer position located?
The position is based at the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute in Rome, Italy.
What is the level of the Programme Officer position?
The position is classified at the P-3 level.
How long is the temporary assignment?
The position is available for six months, subject to funding availability.
What education is required?
An advanced university degree or equivalent is required in law, criminal justice, political science, international relations, security studies, psychology, behavioral sciences, sociology, or a related discipline. A first-level university degree may be accepted with two additional years of qualifying experience.
How much professional experience is required?
At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in programme management, project coordination, technical assistance, or policy development in relevant criminal justice, security, penitentiary, or crime prevention fields is required.
Which languages are required?
English and Spanish are required at UN Level III proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Is prison reform experience required?
Experience in prison reform, prison management, rehabilitation, reintegration, or correctional system strengthening is listed as desirable rather than part of the minimum experience requirement.
Will candidates be assessed through an interview?
Yes. The United Nations states that qualified candidates may be evaluated through an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience criteria should submit their application.
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