Research and Project Management Support for UNOCT Global Sports Programme

Host entity: UNOCT

Application deadline: 18/09/2026

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established on 15 June 2017 through the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 71/291. Mr. Vladimir Voronkov was appointed as its first Under-Secretary-General.
The Office of Counter-Terrorism has five main functions:

- Provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates entrusted to the Secretary-General from across the United Nations system
- Enhance coordination and coherence across the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy
- Strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States
- Improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts
- Ensure that due priority is given to counterterrorism across the United Nations system and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy

Assignment context

This Online Volunteering assignment is part of the Global Programme on Security of Major Sporting Events and Promotion of Sport and its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism (“Global Sports Programme”) within the Special Projects and Innovation Branch of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT). The Global Sports Programme is looking for an Online Volunteer to support the programme´s activities, in particular, conduct research and compile information, draft background papers, and maintain and promote the programme´s database and knowledge products. As part of UNOCT, the Special Projects and Innovation Branch (SPIB) actively supports the UNOCT mandate through the targeted conceptualization, as well as development and implementation of special technical assistance arrangements, which includes the work conducted under the Global Sports Programme. The Global Sports Programme was launched in 2020 as a cross-cutting initiative to: i) assist Member States in protecting vulnerable targets in the context of major sporting events, ii) leverage the power of sports and its values to strengthen social cohesion and build resilience to violent extremism, and iii) safeguard sport practice as a vehicle for empowering vulnerable categories.

Task description

- Assist the continued management of projects and initiatives aimed at making use of sport and its values as a tool to prevent violent extremism, part of the “UNOCT Connect & Learn Platform”.
- Research information and compile up-to-date background documents regarding substantive matters and country or regional issues in relation to Sport and e-sport PVE matters.
- Draft notes, background papers, talking points, speeches, minutes of internal and external meetings and correspondence related to the security of major sporting events and/ or the use of sport as a tool to prevent violent extremism.
- Prepare, maintain and update files and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content, work plans and budgets and other background materials/notes to facilitate review and periodic assessments.
- Attend weekly team meetings each around one hour per week and take minutes regarding pending items.

Skills and experience

Professional experience in security or counter-terrorism is an asset but not a requirement. Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) is required. Excellent oral and written skills; excellent English drafting, formulation, reporting skills. Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.