Background

The Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) of UNODC is one of the United Nations key providers of counter-terrorism technical assistance in the legal and related areas. It delivers assistance globally using the field office network of UNODC for implementation at field level.

The objective of the technical assistance activities of the TPB is to strengthen the legal regime against terrorism. It does this by providing legal advice to States to become parties to the universal legal instruments related to terrorism, by assisting States to incorporate their provisions into national legislations, by providing training to criminal justice officials and assistance to strengthen national institutions dealing with terrorism.

As more countries have adopted appropriate legislation, the need for sustained capacity-building assistance for implementation to requesting countries has increased. UNODC/TPB is therefore increasingly focusing on training criminal justice officials to strengthen the capacity of criminal justice systems for implementing the provisions of the international legal instruments against terrorism, in addition to continuing to provide assistance for ratification and legislative incorporation

 UNODC/TPB responds promptly and efficiently to country requests for counter-terrorism legal assistance in accordance with the guidance provided by the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) of the Security Council.

The Terrorism Prevention Branch (TPB) of UNODC and UNODC ROMENA propose a programme on “Strengthening the capacity of Women Professionals Working in the Counter-Terrorism Sector in Iraq (2019-2021)”in response to the limited role that women play so far in specifically leadership and  decision -making roles  in this area and taking into account the overarching mandate under UNSCR 1325 to promote and support women’s participation in peace processes.  The project aims to build the capacity and networking skills of female professionals working in the criminal justice response to terrorism  in Iraq Federal and KRG institutions to: (a) Ensure that action  in post Daesh Iraq includes consistent, cross-sectoral, targeted support to women; (b) Advance criminal justice officials’ individual careers and increase diversity within their respective professions and sectors; (c) To provide gender-responsive perspectives and influence at policy, planning level and in responding to investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences at technical level and (d) To increase gender-responsive  networking within the target group nationally and internationally.  

The expected impact of the project will be a larger, empowered, influential and visible cadre of female professionals, assuming higher level of responsibilities with a developed critical understanding of c issues related to the criminal justice response to terrorism and violent extremism which is able to influence discussions and decisions and to make a positive contribution to the country’s peace and development process.

Duties and Responsibilities

2.         Purpose of the assignment

The purpose of the consultancy is to produce a comprehensive study on the role of women in the criminal justice response to terrorism and extremism in Iraq in the broader context of the ongoing peace process and work on the implementation of the SC1325 resolution. The outcomes will be presented at a stakeholders’ meeting. The study aims at providing a gendered perspective on policy, planning and technical levels in response to investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences as well as presenting the current role and the future roles of women professionals in CT sectors. The study will take place until the end of June 2019 and will benefit from the relevant parts of the Implementation of Iraq National Action Plan for UNSCR 1325 2014-2018 to enhance the specialized expertise and improve the capacity of national criminal justice officials to implement the international legal framework against terrorism as well as the Resolution on the Women, Peace and Security agenda UNSCR 2242 which addresses radicalization, terrorism and women, specifically impact of counter terrorism on women.

3.         Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant

The consultant will carry out the following tasks:

1. Conduct a research study in English, Arabic and Kurdish on the different roles role , in particular leadership and decision-making roles and effectiveness of female professionals working in the CT field in Iraq, while working and collecting information within a wide range of policy, law enforcement, investigation and judicial capacities related to the female cadre in Iraq and KRG.  This will include (i) desk research; (ii) undertaking missions different provinces in Iraq to meet with relevant security and justice sectors for collecting information, (iii) meeting with female civil servants working on CT issues, making interviews, and establishing the facts of the study, and (iv) drafting the research study. The study will inform and substantiate the needs of the target group of the project and the importance of having female instance investigators to collect important information from other sources than when there are only male officials.
2. Present the outcomes of the study within an organized conference for 20 female criminal justice officers working in CT field from Iraq and KRG, including policy makers, parliamentarians, analysts, investigators, prosecutors and judges, if feasible in one of the MENA countries. This conference will provide a platform to discuss and increase knowledge on various issues on women, peace and security as well as on CT related issues, enhancing their technical capacities as well as increase their skills on operational planning and strategizing. The 20 selected women to attend the conference will form the core group of women with whom UNODC will work during the implementation of the project “Strengthening the capacity of Women Professionals Working in the Counter-Terrorism Sector in Iraq (2019-2021).”  One session during the conference will be dedicated to discussing the research study and receive feedback on the research findings from the participants. The consultant may also submit an additional report on the discussions and the debate that took place in the conference, if needed.

1. Assist in the implementation of other tasks related to other projects for Iraq.

4.         Expected tangible and measurable output(s) (Deliverables)

• Deliver a research study that is compiled from the collected information of field visits to different provinces in Iraq and meetings with the relevant counter terrorism institutions and female civil servants working on CT issues to make interviews and establish the facts of the study.

The study research should present an analysis of the following:

1. Current scope of women in criminal justice systems and their areas of responsibility:

The role of women remains marginal. It is important to underline that a country’s commitment to address and cope with the challenges it faces goes hand in hand with the active involvement of both its male and female actors. The study research is expected to examine the current scope of women who currently have access to criminal justice systems (20 female criminal justice officers, 15 law enforcement officers, 15 analysts including financial analysts, 15 civil servants and officials from Ministries and state institutions and 15 judges and trainers from Higher Judicial Institute including Kurdish Institute trained in Baghdad) and explore their current areas of responsibilities and the gaps that need to be addressed. The study as well will cast light on women civil society organizations since they uniquely acquire a thorough understanding of events on the ground and therefore also good source of information for the study.

The study research aims to explain the approaches where women should be empowered to play a crucial role in national counter terrorism efforts. Also, the study research is expected to shed great light on the women that have suffered at the hands of ISIL fighters and suffering from extremely passive role that disqualifies them as potential candidates for countering and preventing terrorism on the one hand, and measures for supporting them in developing their knowledge and capacities and increase their responsiveness to the specific realities facing the Iraqi Government on the other hand.

1. Identification of factors that promote / impede access of female professionals to criminal justice system:

The research study is expected to explore and document the factors/circumstances that facilitate the engagement of female professionals in criminal justice system on the one hand and the circumstances/factors/obstacles/gaps that culminate into impeding and slowing the integration of female professionals in criminal justice systems and instance investigation and thus lead to the marginalization of women’s roles in national CT efforts.

1. Proposed actions to increase participation of female professionals in criminal justice:

Proposed actions could comprise providing female professionals with expertise in gendered institutional behavior change; mainstreaming gender into all reforming support, and technical expertise; technical support on forensic investigation and judicial oversight through the bespoke courses offered by the UK to Iraqi investigators and judges. In addition, the research should address the role and effectiveness and Training Needs Analysis of female professionals working in the CT filed, as it entails working within a wide range of policy, law enforcement, investigation and judicial capacity within Iraq and KRG. This will be done through the organisation of numerous activities targeting female officials: Parliamentarians, Judges, FIU officials, analysts, investigators, representatives from the relevant Ministries etc. in an effort to encourage and promote female inclusion in counter terrorism work.

1. Proposed actions to empower women in the peace-building process of Iraq/KRG: Proposed actions could entail activities conducted to build the advocacy capacity of women providing technical expertise in the counter terrorism sector such as financial analysts, judiciary, investigators and Ministry staff.

• Deliver an additional report on the discussions and the debates that took place in the conference, if needed.
• Deliver supplementary documents relevant to the sub- regional conference to support in Arabic language 20 female criminal justice officers working in CT field from Iraq and KRG (including policy makers/parliamentarians/ analysts/ investigators, prosecutors and judges, if feasible) in an event or conference located in sub-region to learn in an international setting. 

Competencies

The individual consultant has demonstrated a capacity for the analyzed competence.

Required Skills and Experience

1. Academic

• Master’s degree in international law, political science or a related field;

       2. Experience 

• Good knowledge of the universal instruments against terrorism and the mechanisms of international cooperation in criminal matters;
• A minimum of 5-years professional experience, preferably in gender and women empowerment studies, with knowledge of the operating criminal justice system in Iraq, including legal research and analysis, preferably dealing with terrorism or other relevant areas. Work experience within the United Nations system and UNODC is highly desirable;
• Sound planning and organizing skills;

       3. Language

• Fluency in Arabic and English with excellent drafting skills is required. Knowledge of Kurdish is essential.

Important Note (Instructions):

Interested candidate can access the procurement notice ref: IRQ10-IC034/19 – Consultancy on Gender equality and women; including the application documents, at the following link:

http://procurement-notices-admin.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=57915&view=admin

Download the submission documents only.

Please do not apply/submit your application through this website. It will not be considered

Complete the application documents and submit your application to ic1.undp.iq@undp.org

Only applications with complete documents and received through ic1.undp.iq@undp.org on/before the closing date/time will be considered.

Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.