Background

Kindly note that subject assignment has been published via Quantum, and advertised on the following link:

UND  Procurement Notices :  http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_negotiation.cfm?nego_id=3153

This specific advertisement is managed via the new supplier portal system of UNDP which replaces the online eTendering system. If you are interested in submitting a bid for this post, you must subscribe following the instructions in the user guide. If you have not registered a profile with this system, you can do so by following the link for Supplier Registration.

If you already have a supplier profile, please login to the Supplier Portal, then search for the negotiation using the reference number UNDP-R47-00016, following the instructions in the user guide.

Submission should be only made via Quantum System, any submission received on the UNDP Jobs site will not be considered in the evaluation process.

Interested candidates shall submit all required documents in not later than 04 April 2023 at 1:00 PM ( Amman Local Time).

Trafficking in persons (TiP) has become a source of increasing concern worldwide. It constitutes a serious crime and often involves organized criminal groups. UNODC is mandated to support Member States in implementing the key international instrument addressing trafficking in persons i.e., the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (hereinafter referred to as “UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol”) supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (hereinafter referred to as “UNTOC”). The UNTOC and the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol proscribe the crime of TiP and call upon States Parties to adopt such measures as may be necessary to implement their provisions and effectively combat TiP.

As the custodian of the UNTOC and the UN TiP Protocol, UNODC has a comparative advantage in providing technical assistance to Member States to prevent and combat TiP while protecting the rights of the victims. This assistance covers a number of issues, including ratification and development/revision of legislation; development of national policies and strategies; capacity-building/strengthening of criminal justice officials in investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating TiP cases; international cooperation in criminal matters; support and assistance to TiP victims; awareness-raising. Technical assistance activities are tailor-made to the specific needs of each country and/or region and are implemented at national, regional and global levels.

The UNODC Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Region (OGCCR) in Abu Dhabi was established in order to support the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the other GCC countries in their efforts to fulfil their international obligations in combating drugs and crime. The establishment of OGCCR has strengthened the engagement and cooperation with the six Member States and the Secretariat General of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). It has also improved coordination and integration of UNODC's operational activities in the region, with the aim of enhancing and reinforcing the effectiveness of the GCC countries in their efforts to prevent and combat threats associated with illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, corruption and terrorism, while achieving health and justice for all.

Within the framework of its Strategic Partnership with the GCC Countries and related programme portfolio, UNODC OGCCR has been closely supporting stakeholders in the GCC region, particularly via the national committees for combating trafficking in persons, for the implementation of victim-centred approaches to preventing and combating TiP, in accordance with the UNTOC, the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol and international best practices. One of the ongoing initiatives in the GCC region is a joint project with the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) of Saudi Arabia to support and strengthen national capacities to effectively prevent, suppress and punish TiP in accordance with international standards and best practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purposes of this assignment are the following: (1) provide expert advice on data analysis and reporting to inform and support the implementation of victim-centred approaches to preventing and combating TiP; and (2) build specialized, multi-sector capacities – in Saudi Arabia and the other GCC countries – to effectively prevent, suppress and punish TiP in accordance with the UNTOC, the UN Trafficking in Persons Protocol and international best practices.

The consultant will deliver the expected deliverables/outputs under the overall guidance of the UNODC Representative for the GCC Region and the direct supervision of the OGCCR Programme Management Officer in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

In light of the above, the consultant will carry out the following specific tasks:

• Prepare and deliver refresher/follow-up training for the TiP data management team on the use of the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for generating and reporting real-time data.
• Review the quarterly automated reports generated through the e-NRM and identify areas for improvement.
• Identify TiP data gaps and training needs of key stakeholders for the reporting of accurate and timely data through the e-NRM.
• Prepare and deliver training for key stakeholders on TiP-related data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Support the development of training modules on the use of the e-NRM.
• Support the preparation and delivery of training for multi-sector stakeholders on TiP victim identification and protection, as well as the investigation of TiP cases.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

At the end of the consultancy, as determined by specific assignments, the consultant will have:

• Developed tailored training materials in Arabic, and/or English as appropriate (e.g., presentations, case studies, exercises etc.) on: (1) the analysis and reporting of data related to TiP for the effective use of the e-NRM; (2) victim identification and protection; and (3) investigation of TiP cases.
• Delivered training courses to build/enhance capacity on TiP-data analysis and reporting, and training sessions on topics related to TiP victim identification and protection as well as the investigation of TiP cases.
• Provided expert advice and recommendations for updating/improving automated data reports generated through the e-NRM platform and for developing quality statistical information.
• Provided expert inputs to the development of training modules on the use of the e-NRM.
• Prepared and submitted to UNODC a written report for each output completed.

Competencies

Corporate

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNODC’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNODC;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional

• Time management and organizational skills, with the ability to undertake multiple tasks and deliver under pressure;
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills;
• Ability to work independently and achieve high-quality results with limited supervision and within tight schedules;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills;
• Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner;
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and work under pressure;
• Excellent computer skills especially Word, Excel and Power Point.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Ability to strongly promote and build knowledge products;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of UNODC;
• Demonstrates a strong capacity for innovation and creativity in providing strategic policy advice and direction.

Required Skills and Experience

QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SUCCESSFUL INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR

Academic qualifications:

• A PhD degree in law, criminology or a related field is required. 

Professional experience:

• A minimum  10 years of professional experience in the fields of crime prevention, law enforcement, prosecution, criminal justice, international relations, international criminal law and/or related areas.
• Experience in conducting research and/or legal assessments in the field of trafficking in persons, as well as in delivering capacity-building activities (training, mentoring etc.).
• Knowledge in the area of trafficking in persons, particularly the UNTOC and UN TiP Protocol, Islamic law, in addition to familiarity with the regional anti-human trafficking instruments.
• Experience working in the GCC and the Middle East and North African regions.
• Previous working experience with the United Nations (UN).

Language requirements:

• Fluency in the Arabic language (written and spoken); English is an asset.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

•     The individual consultant is required to exhibit his/her commitment to this assignment with UNODC OGCCR, via the quality, appropriateness and timeliness of the expertise, advice and input s/he will provide.

•     The individual consultant shall perform tasks under the general guidance of the UNODC Representative for the GCC Region and the direct supervision of the OGCCR Programme Management Officer. The supervision will include approval/acceptance of the outputs as identified in the previous section.

•     The individual consultant is expected to liaise and collaborate in the course of performing the work with other consultants, stakeholders and UN colleagues.

•     The individual consultant is required to maintain close communication with UNODC OGCCR team on regular and needed basis throughout the assignment in order to monitor progress. In the event of any delay, s/he will inform UNODC promptly so that decisions and remedial action may be taken accordingly. Delays that would affect the flow of the collaborative work and the delivery of outputs on schedule will lead to termination of the contract.

•     Should UNODC deem it necessary, it reserves the right to commission additional inputs, reviews or revisions, as needed to ensure the quality and relevance of the work.

DURATION OF THE WORK

The duration of the work is expected to be 81 working days over the period starting from the date of signature of the contract until 31 December 2023.

DUTY STATION

The assignment is home-based for preparation, with travel on official missions as required to implement the activities.

If any unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s home-based city is requested by UNODC and not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be covered by UNODC in line with applicable rules and regulations and upon prior written agreement.

SCOPE OF FINANCIAL PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

All proposals must indicate a daily fee for the delivery of requested services. Daily fee must be “all-inclusive”. Please note that the term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables if any, etc.) that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final amount submitted in the proposal. Also, please note that the contract amount will be based on deliverables/outputs.

The contractor will be paid all-inclusive deliverable/output-based lump sum amounts over the assignment period, subject to the submission of Certifications of Payment (CoP) duly certified and confirmation of satisfactory performance of achieved work (deliverables/outputs). Payments should be done in line with the schedule of payments hereunder, noting that the maximum number of working days for this assignment should not exceed 81 working days.

RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER

Interested individual consultants must submit documents as per requested in Quantum system to demonstrate their qualifications. Candidates that fail to submit these documents, the application will not be considered.

1. Personal CV or P11: indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
2. Brief description of why you consider yourself as the most suitable candidate for this assignment.
3. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
4. Financial Proposal requested it should indicate the all-inclusive Deliverables/Outputs based total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. The terms “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

Interested candidates can find Procurement Notice, Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and P11 templates on the following link: 

Kindly note that subject assignment has been published via Quantum, and advertised on the following link:

UND  Procurement Notices :  http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_negotiation.cfm?nego_id=3153

This specific advertisement is managed via the new supplier portal system of UNDP which replaces the online eTendering system. If you are interested in submitting a bid for this post, you must subscribe following the instructions in the user guide. If you have not registered a profile with this system, you can do so by following the link for Supplier Registration.

If you already have a supplier profile, please login to the Supplier Portal, then search for the negotiation using the reference number UNDP-R47-00016, following the instructions in the user guide.

Submission should be only made via Quantum System, any submission receieved on the UNDP Jobs site will not be considerd in the evaluation process.

Interested candidates shall submit all required documents in not later than 04 April 2023 at 1:00 PM ( Amman Local Time).

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFERS

This selection criteria will follow the Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70% and will be combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%, using the following evaluation criteria.

Step I: Screening and desk review

Applications will be first screened and only candidates meeting the following minimum requirements will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

• Criterion A: PhD degree in law, criminology or a related field.
• Criterion B: A minimum 10 years of professional experience in the fields of crime prevention, prosecution, criminal justice, international relations, international criminal law and/or related areas.
• Criterion C: Fluency in Arabic language (written and spoken).

Step 2: Technical review

Shortlisted candidates will undergo a technical evaluation, and a submission of a proposal to tackle the assignment.

Technical evaluation: max. 100 points – weighted 70% of total evaluation:

Shortlisted candidates will be assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria:

• Criterion A: PhD degree in law, criminology or a related field. (20 points)
• Criterion B: A minimum 10 years of professional experience in the fields of crime prevention, prosecution, criminal justice, international relations, international criminal law and/or related areas. (20 points)
• Criterion C: Experience in conducting research and/or legal assessments in the field of trafficking in persons, as well as in delivering capacity-building activities (training, mentoring etc.). (20 points)
• Criterion D: Knowledge in the area of trafficking in persons, particularly the UNTOC and UN TiP Protocol, Islamic law, in addition to familiarity with regional anti-human trafficking instruments. (15 points)
• Criterion E: Experience in the GCC and Middle East and North African regions. (5 points)
• Criterion F: Previous working experience with the United Nations (UN). (10 points)
• Criterion G: Fluency in Arabic language (written and spoken); English is an asset. (10 points)

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the Technical Evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial evaluation: max. 30 points – weighted 30% of total evaluation:

For those offers considered in the financial evaluation, the lowest price offer will receive 30 points. The other offers will receive points in relation to the lowest offer, based on the following formula: (PI / Pn) * 30 where Pn is the financial offer being evaluated and Pl is the lowest financial offer received.

Step III: Final evaluation

The final evaluation will combine the scores of both the Technical and Financial evaluations, with the following weights assigned to each:

• Technical evaluation weight: 70%
• Financial evaluation weight: 30%

Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.