Background

A.       Project Title

Measuring and Assessing Organised Crime in the Western Balkans

B.       Project Description 

The presence of organized crime (OC) represents a specific threat to the establishment and furthering of the rule of law in countries around the world, including the region of the Western Balkans. Evidence-based findings on the situation of OC in the Western Balkans indicate that OC activities are particularly significant in a number of areas. Available analyses on OC in the Western Balkans constantly point to sustained criminal activities in certain illegal areas, such as drug trafficking or smuggling of weapons, as well as to the existence of some enabling factors, such corruption and poor economic performance. However, due to the lack of advanced statistical and analytical tools to monitor levels, trends and patterns of OC, it is not possible to understand whether actual progress is made in the fight against OC or, on the contrary, organized criminal groups maintain or even increase the volume of their illegal activities, for example by activating new criminal areas or by increasing efficiency of their modus operandi.

The overall objective of the Measuring and Assessing Organized Crime in the Western Balkans Project is to contribute to the strengthening of the rule of law through the fight against organized crime in the beneficiary countries and territories. This Action will help address the aforementioned challenges with respect to enhancing the understanding of the nature and evolution of organized crime.

The specific objective of the Action is to develop and implement a statistical framework for quantifying and analyzing organized crime in the Western Balkans, to establish mechanisms to monitor it and to produce an evidence-based analytical report on OC in the Western Balkans. The statistical framework on OC will include various components, such as criminal activities and criminal offences perpetrated by OC groups, the response by the criminal justice system and on ways of operating of organized crime.

The Consultant will act as an expert advisor to and local manager of the project in Albania which intends to develop a statistical and conceptual framework for measuring and monitoring organised crime in the participating countries and territories of the Western Balkans region. The Consultant will advise and support the project activities in seeking to develop a consolidated methodology to produce regular analytical reports, in line with the UNODC Regional Programme to build more synergies between initiatives. 

Duties and Responsibilities

C.       Scope of Work

The consultant will act as a liaison point for collaboration with UNODC project management team; research partner; national focal points, national technical groups and other pertinent experts and officials in the region and assist in the implementation and monitoring of specific project tasks and activities within Albania, including, but not limited to:

• Identifying and establishing contacts in the region, facilitating introduction to key stakeholders
• Supporting sustainable data collection and identification,
• Assisting with project outputs including analytical reports on organised crime as well as in workshops and the management of the national technical groups and
• other duties as determined by the project management.

D.       Expected Outputs and Deliverables

E.        Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of  Project Manager, Crime Research Section/Research and Trend Analysis Branch, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs at UNODC HQ Vienna) in the framework of the project "Measuring and Assessing Organised Crime in the Western Balkans".

Progress reporting will be on a biweekly basis in the form of conference calls.

The consultant is expected to interact and liaise with all government stakeholders engaged in the project, especially the National Focal Point and the National Technical Group. 

F.       Duration of the Work

The contract will be issued for a duration of 8 months, on a 50% part-time basis, from May – December 2017. 

G.       Duty Station

The contractor will be based in UNODC’s Project Office in Tirana, Albania, with travel to Vienna for meetings of the Advisory Committee of the project. 

Competencies

H.         Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

I.        Core Competencies:

• Communication - Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
• Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
• Organizational Awareness - Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Teamwork - Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards.

J.      Functional Competencies

• Strong understanding of Albanian political, economic, and social issues.
• Conversant in governance matters, especially those relevant to a developing country like Albania.
• Very good knowledge on the structure and systems of Government of Albania.
• Experience in resource mobilization and donor relations.
• People and interpersonal skills.
• Prior working experience with UNDP/the UN system is an advantage.

Required Skills and Experience

K.       Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in international relations, law, criminal justice, criminology, humanitarian affairs, or related areas, is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields (i.e. international relations, criminology and computer science) in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. 
• At least 5 years of post Master relevant experience, including at national level and/or with an international organization in design, management, monitoring and evaluation of Programmes;
• Fluency in oral and written English and Albanian is mandatory.

L.       Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The consultant will be paid a daily fee of between USD82 – USD100. This daily fee will be “all-inclusive[1]”; and an IC Time Sheet must be submitted by the Contractor, duly approved by the Individual Contractor’s supervisor, which shall serve as the basis for the payment of fees.

M.       Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Selection of the best offer for this consultancy will be assessed as follows: qualifications and methodology weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

[1] The term “All inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consummables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal

N.       Recommended Presentation of Offer

In order to apply for this position, please prepare and send:

1. Letter Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form...attached form...
2. 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. Download here.
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.   
4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided http://www.un.org.al/editor-files/file/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc.  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.  

*Kindly note that Letter  Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should be both part of your application.

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs);
• Merge your UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SCs) and Individual Contracts (ICs), Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.