Programme Officer – Penitentiary Reform (Temporary)

About the role

The Programme Officer will support UNICRI’s initiative to strengthen penitentiary systems and social crime‑prevention policies in Mexico and Guatemala. Working from Rome, the incumbent reports to the Programme Management Officer and the Senior Programme Manager/Deputy Director.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement research, capacity‑building and knowledge‑dissemination activities aimed at improving prison management, rehabilitation and crime‑prevention strategies.
• Plan and facilitate workshops, consultative meetings and field missions with Member States, partners and Italian authorities, producing actionable policy frameworks and technical guidance.
• Analyse penitentiary and criminal‑justice data, produce background papers, analytical notes and contributions to reports and publications.
• Prepare and adapt training materials and operational guidance, ensuring confidentiality and alignment with the legal frameworks of beneficiary countries.
• Support budgeting, financial reporting and progress tracking for the programme.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, criminal justice, political science, international relations, security studies, psychology, sociology or a related field.
• Minimum five years of progressive experience in programme management, project coordination, technical assistance or policy development within criminal‑justice or penitentiary reform contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, analyse quantitative and qualitative data, and produce high‑quality technical documents.