West Africa, and especially the Sahel region, currently faces many interconnected challenges related to poverty, climate change, rapid population growth, as well as severe threats to the national and regional stability posed by human rights violations, terrorism and transnational organized crime. Political instability in the region and the humanitarian crises and human rights situation has made populations more vulnerable and pushed people to migrate in order to protect themselves and meet their basic needs. In parallel, limited opportunities for accessible regular channels for migration and porous borders as well as limited capacities, legal frameworks and resources to combat smuggling of migrants (SOM) have enabled organized criminal groups to develop networks to smuggle migrants through West and North Africa to Europe, often exposing migrants to severe abuses, human rights violations, and risks to their life.  In order to respond to this situation, UNODC and OHCHR developed a joint project “PROMIS - Protection of Migrants: Justice, Human Rights and Migrant Smuggling” to strengthen the capacities of West African states to develop a human rights-based response to smuggling of migrants and to effectively respond to human rights violations related to irregular migration”, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The geographical coverage of the project includes Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, and Senegal.

Output 1.2 of the Project aims at enhancing the capacities to detect, investigate and prosecute smuggling of migrants, while ensuring full and effective protection of the rights of migrants, in line with UNTOC and its additional Protocol on Smuggling of Migrants, as well as international human rights law and standards. UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN) requires the services of a consultant (law enforcement expert) to support the implementation of the law enforcement component of the project with specific actions related to providing technical support for detections, investigations and prosecutions of smuggling of migrants and trafficking in person cases.

The position is based in Dakar, with travel to the project’s beneficiary countries in West Africa. The Law Enforcement Expert will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator (Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants) of the PROMIS project based in Dakar, in close cooperation with other Project staff and the Head of the Law Enforcement Section, as well as under the overall guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative, ROSEN. Between June and August 2019, UNODC has conducted five (5) evidence-based assessment missions in Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, and Senegal on the national criminal justice response to detection, investigation and prosecution related to smuggling of migrants vis-à-vis international conventions and standards. Based on the needs identified, a technical assistance plan was developed for the 5 countries covered by the PROMIS project in order to start the provision of technical assistance support to law enforcement and judicial actors in the region. Based on TAWP, UNODC developed further on specific activities in the support of the operational work of the LEA.

The consultant will continue to work on that basis to build the capacity of the law enforcement forces of the five countries in countering trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants. In addition, the consultant will promote the work of UNODC against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in West and Central Africa within the overall framework of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, both supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, as well as support the implementation of UNODC’s Regional Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in West and Central Africa.

Within the framework of this assignment, the consultant will be required to deliver the following specific outputs:

• Implement the technical assistance work-plan on specialized training, mentoring and capacity building activities to be conducted under the law enforcement component of the PROMIS project at the national and regional level. The component targets law enforcement officials, criminal justice actors, national committees/focal points in selected countries of West Africa to enhance the capacities of the criminal justice chain to respond to smuggling of migrants based on international standards on smuggling of migrants and of human rights.
• Provide substantive inputs to the development and implementation of UNODC projects on smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons, under the purview of the Law Enforcement Section and TIP/SOM Programme Unit.
• Initiate or support the development and implementation of strategic regional initiatives; support the development of synergies in between national, regional and international organizations or institutions.
• Act as a focal point for and lead all PROMIS law enforcement actions in cooperation with the NPO’s or other team members. Participate to various activities when requested or in line with the priorities established.

In coordination with the Programme Manager, support the development and enhancement of cooperation and partnerships with other international partners and perform activities to improve international law enforcement cooperation, such as with EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL.

Deliverable A

• Organize the first remote Regional Operational Meeting with LEA from Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, Spain, Italy, Tunis, Morocco and Algeria to improve the cooperation in the region;
• Explore means of cooperation with other international partners and identify joint activities with EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL: suggest a strategy for the rest of the assignment

Output Working Days   7 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 30 November 2020

Percentage of payment    4%

Deliverable B

• Document and draft an action plan for the implementation of the Concept Note regarding the establishment of a specialized network of heads of investigation units in West and Central Africa;
• Support and deliver training sessions at the Training of Trainers for Law Enforcement Officials from The Gambia (remote)
• In consultation with the program coordinator, draft the 2021 working plan on law enforcement activities together with the NPOs in project countries
• Provide any other technical assistance and support needs to the PROMIS target countries as well as other countries covered by ROSEN, in accordance with the technical assistance workplan, including case mentoring, training and capacity building and supporting of police operations;
• In coordination with the Programme Manager, support the development and enhancement of cooperation on law enforcement issues with other international partners such as FRONTEX and INTERPOL;
• Drafting a Concept Note on new training methods and methodology for online training programs. 

Output Working Days   15 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 31 December 2020

Percentage of payment     9%

Deliverable C

• Draft a Concept Note on the benefits of using joint investigation teams in the project countries and present it / distribute it to national authorities. Promote and support the initiation of JIT in the project countries on the basis of this concept note.

• Liaise with local authorities in the project countries, EU MS and Interpol, to identify suitable cases on SOM to be investigated in JIT.
• Plan meetings with the specialized unit for countering SOM in Senegal and plan specific activities in line with TAWP.
• Provide any other technical assistance and support needs to the PROMIS target countries and other countries covered by ROSEN, in accordance with the technical assistance workplan, including case mentoring, training and capacity building and supporting of police operations;

Output Working Days 20 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 31 January 2021

Percentage of payment        12%            

Deliverable D

• Organize an operational meeting between the authorities from Senegal and Spain to improve the information exchange and formal cooperation on SOM cases. Provide technical assistance and mentoring.
• Organize an operational meeting between the authorities from African and European countries (based on operational needs identified in cooperation with Interpol) to improve the information exchange and formal and informatl cooperation on SOM cases. Provide technical assistance and mentoring.
• Support the elaboration of criminal information and vulnerability sheets on TIP & SOM with the G5 Sahel Security agencies
• Provide any other technical assistance, and support needs to the PROMIS target countries covered by ROSEN, in accordance with the technical assistance workplan, including case mentoring, training and capacity building and supporting of police operations;
• Continue to develop cooperation with other international partners and perform activities as the TIPSOM Focal Point with EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL;

Output Working Days 20 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 28 February 2021

Percentage of payment     12%           

Deliverable E

• Organize meetings with authorities (police and prosecutors) from Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal in preparation of the Regional Operational Meeting and Regional Meeting of Heads of Investigative Units. 
• Planning and organizing a high-level regional meeting of Heads of Investigative units from West and Central Africa (to be held in July). Prepare, draft and present supporting documents for the benefits of a regional network of practitioners. Prepare and conduct meetings with the authorities from the beneficiary countries (field missions when required)
• Organize specialized training on investigation techniques and managing of intelligence to specialized units in Cote d’Ivoire. Deliver presentations and draft practical exercises.
• Provide any other technical assistance, and support needs to the PROMIS target countries covered by ROSEN, in accordance with the technical assistance workplan, including case mentoring, training and capacity building and supporting of police operations;
• Continue to develop cooperation with other international partners and perform activities as the TIPSOM Focal Point with EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL;                        

Output Working Days 23 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 31 March 2021

Percentage of payment    13%                

Deliverable F

• Lead the organisation of the Regional Operational Meeting with LEA from Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, Spain, Italy, Tunis, Morocco and Algeria to improve the cooperation in the region.
• Organize a specialized training session for the investigators in Mali on surveillance, technical (forensic) investigations and special investigation techniques; Prepare and deliver specific presentations and practical exercises;
• Meetings with authorities (police and prosecutors) from Mali in preparation of the Regional Operational Meeting
• Supporting the preparation of the OSCE simulation-based training in Vicenza, Italy
• Provide any other technical assistance, and support needs to the PROMIS target countries covered by ROSEN, in accordance with the technical assistance workplan, including case mentoring, training and capacity building and supporting of police operations;
• Continue to develop cooperation with other international partners and perform activities as the TIPSOM Focal Point with EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL;           

Output Working Days 22 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 30 April 2021

Percentage of payment  13%                  

Deliverable G

• Participate and support the OSCE simulation-based training in Vicenza, Italy
• Plan and participate in a meeting with NATO Stability Policy Centre of Excellence, preparatory working sessions for potential activities between NATO SPCOE and GAR-SI
• Plan, support, and participate in a meeting with INTERPOL SOM Coordinator. Improving cooperation and planning a Regional Operation in West Africa on SOM (REGSOM)
• Plan, prepare and participate in missions in Europe to meet with relevant stakeholders to discuss police cooperation on countering the smuggling of migrants from West Africa
• Provide any other technical assistance, and support needs to the PROMIS target countries covered by ROSEN, in accordance with the technical assistance workplan, including case mentoring, training and capacity building and supporting of police operations;
• Continue to develop cooperation with other international partners and perform activities as the TIPSOM Focal Point with EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL;

Output Working Days 21 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 31 May 2021

Percentage of payment      12%              

Deliverable H

• Lead and support the organisation of the Regional Operational Meeting with LEA from Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, Spain, Italy, Tunis, Morocco and Algeria to improve the cooperation in the region, in partnership with ROMENA. Deliver specific presentations during the meeting;
• Support the organization of operational meetings among LEA from West and Central Africa and EU MS to improve the information exchange and formal cooperation on SOM cases
• Provide any other technical assistance and support needs to the PROMIS target countries covered by ROSEN, in accordance with the technical assistance workplan, including case mentoring, training and capacity building and supporting of police operations;
• Continue to develop cooperation with other international partners and perform activities as the TIPSOM Focal Point with EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL;

Output Working Days 22 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 30 June 2021

Percentage of payment  13%

Deliverable  I                  

• In coordination with the Head of Law Enforcement Section and programme manager, implement a high-level regional meeting of Heads of Investigative units from West and Central Africa. Prepare, draft and present supporting documents for the benefits of a regional network of practitioners. Prepare and conduct meetings with the authorities from the beneficiary countries (field missions when required)
• Coordinate an operational meetings among LEA from West and Central Africa and EU MS to improve the information exchange and formal cooperation on SOM cases
• Plan and organize a Regional Operation on countering SOM in West and Central Africa (including drafting the Concept note, Regional Action Plan, Reporting Template etc.)
• Provide any other technical assistance, and support needs to the PROMIS target countries covered by ROSEN, in accordance with the technical assistance workplan, including case mentoring, training and capacity building and supporting of police operations;
• Continue to develop cooperation with other international partners and perform activities as the TIPSOM Focal Point with EUROPOL, FRONTEX and INTERPOL;                        

Output Working Days 22 WD

To be accomplished by (date) 31 July 2021

Percentage of payment  12%

Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and/or submission of outputs/deliverables.

All the outputs should meet the satisfaction of the PROMIS Project Coordinator, as well as the UNODC ROSEN Regional Representative, according to the following criteria:

• Quality of the outputs submitted
• Technical competence

Timeliness of the delivery 

Payments will be made upon satisfactory completion and/or submission of outputs/deliverables

Corporate Competencies:

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

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism: Substantive expertise in UNODC’s mandate areas, especially law enforcement experience in investigating smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons and other organized crime. Has knowledge of substantive and functional areas with very good research and analytical skills. Is able to identify and contribute to the solution of problems/issues. 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.

Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance.

Communication: Ability to write in a clear and concise manner and communicate effectively orally.

Academic requirements

• An advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of criminology, law or education from a recognized national police, customs or other law enforcement institute.

Experience

• At least 15 years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in law enforcement and investigation of organized crime, intelligence, etc., as well as practical experience in working in law enforcement crime units at the national and/or international level is required.
• Work experience on countering trafficking in persons and/or smuggling of migrants is required;
• Work experience in conducting and coordinating cross-border investigations, including collecting of evidence and intelligence, surveillance, search and seizure operations is required; Proven experience in international law enforcement cooperation, particularly at the operational level;
• Expert knowledge of the tools and methods used in trans-national investigations, including joint investigation teams and operational support;
• Work experience in mentoring, training and supporting national agencies in charge of countering organized crime is a strong asset;
• Work experience in capacity building and structural reform of law enforcement agencies in charge of countering organised crime, delivering technical assistance and significant experience in drafting policies and standard operating procedures is desirable.
• Previous experience in international projects is an advantage;
• Work experience in Africa in the field of law enforcement, preferably in West, Central and/or North Africa, is an advantage.
• Demonstrated drafting skills.
• Excellent communication skills.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in French and English is mandatory, with proven drafting and communication skills

Criteria for selection 

An advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of criminology, law or education from a recognized national police, customs or other law enforcement institute. 20%

At least 15 years of relevant and progressively responsible work experience in law enforcement and investigation of organized crime, intelligence, etc., as well as practical experience in working in law enforcement crime units at the national and/or international level.  30%            

Work experience on countering trafficking in persons and/or smuggling of migrants;   25 %

Working experience in mentoring, training and supporting national agencies in charge of countering organized crime is a strong asset; Working experience in Africa in the field of law enforcement, preferably in West, Central and/or North Africa, is an advantage. Demonstrated drafting skills.   15%

Excellent communication skills  Fluency in French and English with proven drafting and communication skills   10%

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROPRIETARY INTERESTS

The Individual Consultant shall not either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any proprietary or confidential information related to the consultancy service without prior written consent. Proprietary interests on all materials and documents prepared by the consultants under the assignment shall become and remain properties of UNDP.

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

Applicants are invited to apply online at the following address http://jobs.undp.org, no later than December 02, 2020. NB: The system does not allow to join several files at the same time, the technical offer and the financial offer must be sent to the following address: senegal.procurement@undp.org