Director of Research and Documentation job at United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI)

Organizational Setting and Reporting:

The post is at the United Nations African Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFRI) in Kampala, Uganda.

Responsibilities

The Director of Research and Documentation, under the direction and the authority of the Acting Director-General, shall:

• Research current best practices, academic developments and international trends of criminology and criminal law field to generate a body of wider knowledge.
• Network and consult with experts in the field to keep up to date with current developments relating to policy areas.
• Lead the development of policy based on research and reflection.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the impact of UNAFRI’s corporate advocacy strategy.
• Develop and implement innovative approaches to research and advocacy in crime prevention and control.
• Advise and communicate corporate advocacy positions across UNAFRI’s core mandate.
• Ensure policy messages are consistent with UNAFRI’s mandate.
• Support the design and production of high-quality research and published UNAFRI’s research reports in policy areas.
• Produce policy and advocacy sections of relevant reports, e.g., Annual Policy Reports, advocacy annual review.
• Work with colleagues on shared analysis and dissemination of reports.
• Organize scientific events in the form of conferences or national, regional or international colloquia to present research outcomes.
• Develop, monitor and publish the collection of UNAFRI courses, the UNAFRI Review, the UNAFRI newsletter and other Institute publications.
• Develop the research and documentation digital Centre.
• Welcome, guide and monitor researchers and trainees in close collaboration with the Director of Training and Programs.
• Perform all other responsibilities as entrusted by the Acting Director-General.

Qualifications

Advanced University degree, preferably PhD in criminal law, criminology, or other relevant law field from a recognized educational institution.

Experience:

Extensive experience, not less than seven (7) years in crime prevention policies and practices, the operation and administration of criminal justice systems in African countries, with academic and practical training in legal research methodology and demonstrated operational research expertise in criminological research.

Languages:

The candidate must be fluent in English and French. Working knowledge of Arabic/Portuguese will be highly advantageous.

Other Details:

• Level: Senior-level, Full-time staff position
• Salary Scale: P4/I - UNAFRI Salary Scale
• Duration: Initially, four (4) years, after which the UNAFRI Governing Board, on the recommendation of a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), may extend it for a similar duration or less.
• Age: Candidates shall not be more than 50 years old on 31st December 2026.
• Nationality: Candidates shall be nationals of UNAFRI member States.

• Research current best practices, academic developments and international trends of criminology and criminal law field to generate a body of wider knowledge.
• Network and consult with experts in the field to keep up to date with current developments relating to policy areas.
• Lead the development of policy based on research and reflection.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the impact of UNAFRI’s corporate advocacy strategy.
• Develop and implement innovative approaches to research and advocacy in crime prevention and control.
• Advise and communicate corporate advocacy positions across UNAFRI’s core mandate.
• Ensure policy messages are consistent with UNAFRI’s mandate.
• Support the design and production of high-quality research and published UNAFRI’s research reports in policy areas.
• Produce policy and advocacy sections of relevant reports, e.g., Annual Policy Reports, advocacy annual review.
• Work with colleagues on shared analysis and dissemination of reports.
• Organize scientific events in the form of conferences or national, regional or international colloquia to present research outcomes.
• Develop, monitor and publish the collection of UNAFRI courses, the UNAFRI Review, the UNAFRI newsletter and other Institute publications.
• Develop the research and documentation digital Centre.
• Welcome, guide and monitor researchers and trainees in close collaboration with the Director of Training and Programs.
• Perform all other responsibilities as entrusted by the Acting Director-General.

• Legal research methodology
• Criminological research
• Policy development
• Advocacy
• Communication
• Project management
• Event organization
• Digital content development

• Advanced University degree, preferably PhD in criminal law, criminology, or other relevant law field from a recognized educational institution.
• Extensive experience, not less than seven (7) years in crime prevention policies and practices, the operation and administration of criminal justice systems in African countries.
• Academic and practical training in legal research methodology.
• Demonstrated operational research expertise in criminological research.
• Fluent in English and French.
• Working knowledge of Arabic/Portuguese will be highly advantageous.