Background

Over the years, human trafficking flows have modified to ever increasing levels of complexity. Geographical factors such as long and porous borders, as well as adverse human security conditions, climatic disasters and emergencies, and socio-economic factors such as gender imbalance, social stigmatisation of female victims of violence, poverty and lack of local sustainable livelihoods, coupled with misinformation, lack of adequate awareness, have also led to forced or unsafe migration, and fed into the increasingly complex push and pull factors of trafficking. Technological advances including mobile connectivity, internet availability and usage, on the one hand have led to increased advancements, while on the other hand have also, created opportunities for predatory traffickers, as well as modified the type of abuse of those trafficked.

While Member States have done significant efforts to prevent and address TIP, a number of key challenges persist. These include:

• Low levels of awareness and reporting of TIP cases;
• Limited capacity to identify, investigate, prosecute and adjudicate trafficking in persons on the part of criminal justice practitioners and judicial officers;
• Lack of cooperation between States in all aspects – from rescue to investigation and prosecution;
• Links with other crimes (i.e. corruption, drug trafficking, money laundering, cyber-crime);
• Lack of adequate protection and assistance to victims.

Preventing and countering human trafficking requires a comprehensive response founded on assistance and protection of victims, sound legislation and policies, and rigorous enforcement by the criminal justice system, as well as a sound migration policy and regulation of the labour markets. In order for the needed response to be effective, it must be holistic, taking into consideration a range of issues including the identification, protection, support and access to justice of victims of trafficking and the protection of witnesses to the prosecution of traffickers. However, for adequate responses to be devised and implemented, there needs to be a comprehensive understanding of the patterns and trends situation on the ground. This is a prerequisite to implement robust evidence-based responses.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific Objectives:

• To assess the new and emerging patterns and trends of trafficking in persons in the identified key states
• To identify existing mechanisms and responses in place to tackle such pattern and challenges
• To provide recommendations to concerned stakeholders on priority areas of focus through evidence-based analysis vis-à-vis new patters and trends

Scope of work and expected outputs/ deliverables:

As a part of the project activities in India, UNODC would like to commission a consultant for preparing the situation assessment document. This situation assessment will be a key document for identifying the situation on the ground, and the priority needs of the criminal justice system to adequately address the trafficking in persons situation in the country.

The consultant is expected to carry out a comprehensive assessment based on the information collected through desk research and contacting stakeholders, and prepare a well-written, situation assessment document.

The geographical focus/scope of the study is anticipated to be the following states/union territories (UTs) in India:

• North: Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh
• East: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim and West Bengal
• South: Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana
• West: Delhi, Chandigarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Rajasthan
• Central: Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra

The overarching scope of work and expected outputs/deliverables will be:

• Carry out detailed secondary/desk research through material available online and in printed form, such as relevant websites, journals, reports, media articles, etc.
• Collect information through phone/ email/ Skype and where possible, direct contact with key stakeholders, such as government functionaries, UN agencies, NGOs, AHTUs, nodal officers of TIP, judicial academies, prosecutors and other experts etc. working on AHT.
• Collect information shared at UNODC stakeholder consultations, at discussions, as presentations, as well as through direct contact with the attendees.

Competencies

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.? Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Demonstrates strong analytical skills and has proven experience of research work.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience and Qualifications required:

• At least 12 years of experience in the field of preventing and countering human trafficking, or on human rights, social/inclusive development, child rights.
• Excellent understanding of the emerging issues related to human trafficking, including of the online/cyber dimensions.
• Experience of having worked within the criminal justice department.
• Knowledge of and practical experience in conducting assessments and gap analysis.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power-point etc.).
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English.

Award of the contract:

The contract shall be awarded to the individual whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive to the criterion outlined in the TOR.
• Having received the highest score of a predetermined set of technical and financial criterion specific to the solicitation and based on cumulative criterion.

Technical Criteria weight - 70 marks

• Educational Qualification - 10 points
• Experience in the rule of law and criminal justice field -?20 points
• Experience in research/assessments -?20 points
• Experience of South Asian development context and working with the government and development partners in the region (in particular within India) -?20 points.

Financial Criteria weight - 30 marks

Technical and Financial Proposals to be submitted separately.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Specific deliverables and payment terms: 

Note:

• If the consultant anticipates some absolutely necessary field travel, it should be budgeted in the proposal;
• Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone etc. would not be reimbursed;
• Please note proposals without the financial proposal will not be considered;

If any query/clarification, please write to: chandan.barman@un.org, deepika.naruka@un.org