Antecedentes

The Indian Ocean Region is at the nexus of global trade and commerce. With nearly half of the world's 90,000 commercial vessels and two thirds of global oil trade traveling through its sea lanes offering unprecedented opportunity. However, the region is also confronting a myriad of security challenges, including terrorism, transnational crime, trafficking-in-persons and illicit drugs.

Sri Lanka with a coastline is 1,340km and geographic location adjacent to major Indian Ocean shipping routes makes it a favourable transit point for drug trafficking, which evidentially have increased during the recent years. Although Sri Lanka is not a major producer of contraband drugs, its strategic location along important maritime and aviation shipping routes between Europe and Southeast Asia makes it an attractive gateway for international drug trafficking cartels. Gangs seek to conceal their shipments to Australian and European markets by bringing them into Sir Lanka, before switching the cargo into Sri Lankan containers and sending them onwards. Colombo’s high volumes of traffic and lack of effective security checks on cargo make it an attractive trans-shipment point.

Particularly, a spike in large-scale cocaine seizures (a drug previously uncommon in Sri Lanka) is a clear indication that the country is emerging as a key transit point for drug-smugglers. Counter-narcotics operations had traditionally focused their efforts on heroin and synthetic drugs. In December 2016, 928 kilograms of cocaine — the largest ever cocaine haul in South Asia — was discovered aboard a Colombian ship bound for India, one of several high value cocaine seizures in recent years. In March 2019, Sri Lanka’s police arrested two people and seized nearly 300 kilograms of heroin, estimated to be worth US$17 million — the island’s biggest haul of the narcotic. Therefore, the lack of financial and human resources committed to capacity-building like training for anti-narcotic officers is becoming a major challenge.

The majority of drug seizures not only confirms the much alive southern route which runs from Afghanistan through the Makran Coast, but also the fact that Al Qaeda is majorly profiting from it. Apart from Sri Lanka, small unprotected islands like Maldives and Seychelles are seriously affected by the southern route pattern.

The international conventions on drugs and subsequent documents have clearly mentioned the need for a ‘balanced approach’ that includes- production, supply, demand, including harm reduction and that is based on scientific evidence and human rights. UNODC advocates a human rights approach for addressing issues of drug use prevention and treatment across borders. Access to scientifically based drug treatment services may often not be available for a significant proportion of people who use drugs, especially in light of the new and emerging substances.

The current project aims to strengthen communities through evidence-based and family-focused drug use prevention and treatment programmes for children, adolescents and their families to reduce vulnerabilities associated with drug use disorders, violence and delinquency, as well as their recruitment into violent extremist groups.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES    

The overall objective of this assignment is to support project implementation in Sri Lanka including a comprehensive review of existing drug legislations and policy and development of gender-sensitive drug control action plan/strategy in line with human rights and international standards.

Specific Tasks:

Under the overall supervision from UNODC Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section (PTRS( and Regional Office for South Asir (ROSA), the consultant is expeced to conduct in Sri Lanka ;

• A comprehensive country needs assessment to review and assess relevant national laws, policies and practices in Sri Lanka to gain an evidence base on the current legal and policy framework related to drugs as well as to identify the main gaps and obstacles in responding to the drug problem; and

• Support the Government of Sri Lanka in their effort to develop gender-responsive national drug policy including coordination and communication with focal points of the Government and UNODC HQ and ROSA 

UNODC programme staff based in Vienna and Sri Lanka will assist the consultant in identifying relevant respondents in Sri Lanka.

Scope of work and expected outputs/ deliverables:

As a part of the project activities in Sri Lanka, UNODC would like to commission a consultant for following tasks under new drug demand reduction project to be implemented in Sri Lanka for a comprehensive review of existing drug legislations, policies and developing a gender sensitive drug control action plan/ strategy.

The comprehensive review will be a key document for identifying the situation on the ground, and the applicable laws and policies.  The consultant is expected to carry out a comprehensive review based on the information collected through desk research and contacting stakeholders, and prepare a well-written, comprehensive review document. The consultant is expected to conduct a desk review of the existing international literature and the research studies over the past 5 years that are directly related to the scope of the study and the Sri Lankan context. The desk review will include sourcing data from relevant stakeholders including concerned government departments.

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

The situation and needs assessment report:

• 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, NDDCB, and other experts etc. working on drugs.
• Collect information shared at UNODC stakeholder consultations, at discussions, as presentations, as well as through direct contact with the attendees.

UNODC’s support for evidence-based and gender-responsive drug policy development;

• Collect and analyse current national drug policy, in particular drug demand reduction related documents (drug use prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of people with drug use disorders)  
• Identify focal persons and opportunities for UNODC’s support to further strengthen national drug policy of Sri Lanka towards gender-responsive, evidence- and human-rights-based responses
• Provide UNODC’s inputs to national drug policy development in appropriate timing for its revision and/or new development 

Preparation and submission of final project report with summary of all the relevant activities and achievements, as well as recommendations/suggestions for further UNODC’s interventions according to investigated drug situation and identified needs in drug demand reduction in Sri Lanka.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Specific deliverables and payment terms:

• Submission of project implementation timeline, plan of actions for 9 months of the contract, and methodology of assessment report – 15% of total payment
• Assessment Report: submission of complete draft assessment report, including recommendations, and incorporating feedback from UNODC – 20% total payment
• National Drug Policy Development Support: Identification of focal points/opportunities and provision of UNODC’s inputs to draft national drug policy in an evidence- and human-rights-based, gender-responsive manner   – 20% total payment
• Administrative support for workshops of UNODC’s two family-based programmes (drug use prevention and treatment) and completion of workshops and follow up (face to face or remote way) – 30% of total payment
• Submission of final project report with summary of all the relevant activities and achievements, as well as recommendations/suggestions for further UNODC’s interventions in drug demand reduction in Sri Lanka – 15% of total payment

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;

Reporting and communication:

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Representative/Deputy Representative UNODC ROSA, under direct supervision of the PTRS UNODC and in close coordination and communication with UNODC Sri Lanka Office.

TIMEFRAME

The Contract will be for a period of 40 days from 25 September 2020 to 15 December 2020.

Competencias

• Minimum 5 years of experience in conducting research in drug surveys, assessments, gender responsive policy development and development of action plans,
• Excellent understanding of the emerging issues related to drug laws and policies and including of the online/cyber dimensions.
• Experience of interview with senior government officers, community members including people with drug use, education, health and/or social service providers for assessment purpose is advantage  
• Experience of having worked within the criminal justice or health department is desirable.
• 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.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of law or criminal justice  is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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 project implementation in drug demand reduction and/or 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 Sri Lanka) - 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.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combimation of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org  stating the vacancy number/position  in the subject line.  Failing to provide correct vacancy number & Position would be treated as a disqualification.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL   

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______________________________________)

Or

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR (_____________________________________)

Amount in words: (Rs.________________________________________________)

Please refer the below link for Financial Proposal Template

https://popp.undp.org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/UNDP_POPP_DOCUMENT_LIBRARY/Public/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx&action=default

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.