Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s): The expected tangible outputs are to strengthen the ability of Southeast Asia officials to respond to human trafficking and migrant smuggling through the development of new approaches and techniques,; upskilling law enforcement, criminal justice officials and other key counterparts; providing technical support to strengthen existing legal and policy frameworks; and undertaking and preparing report writing, briefings, presentations, and other materials, It is expected that the individual consultant would be engaged in the aforementioned projects, which are of interrelated and of considerable depth, to ensure high quality execution and delivery.

Home based with travel to Southeast Asia and Pacific countries.

16 March - 29 May 2026 (with possibility of extension)

Background of the assignment: Transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking continue expanding in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, threatening the health, livelihoods, and security of communities. Inequalities within the region continue to increase with crucial implications for crime and security trends. Against, this backdrop, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (ROSEAP) is tasked with assisting the region through its Regional Programme (RP) 2022 – 2026. The RP translates UNODC’s expertise in key thematic areas, particularly the response to transnational organized crime, to the region to make it safer and more resilient. Trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants are two forms of transnational crime affecting the Southeast Asia and Pacific region. As the guardian of the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea, and Air and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, which supplement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, UNODC promotes global adherence to these instruments and assists States in their efforts to effectively implement them and combat the conduct that they criminalize. UNODC focuses, in particular, on assisting states in developing an effective criminal justice response to these crime challenges. To this end, UNODC is implementing a number of capacity building projects that aim to better equip authorities to prevent human trafficking and migrant smuggling, identify and protect the rights of trafficked victims and smuggled migrants, and dismantle the criminal networks profiting from these crimes, especially through regional cooperation. These projects include: • Ensuring Decent Work and Reducing Vulnerabilities for Women and Children in the Context of Labour Migration in Southeast Asia (PROTECT) • Supporting Criminal Justice Institutions and Law Enforcement in Lao PDR to better address the threats posed by transnational organized crime (LAO-TOC) Both projects require the involvement of a senior consultant with extensive experience, specialized technical knowledge, and legal expertise to effectively implement and deliver several different capacity building activities. Purpose of the assignment: The purpose of the assignment to work closely with the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling team at ROSEAP to lead on the implementation of particular deliverables under the aforementioned projects by providing specialist technical support and training delivery related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant: Under supervision of Regional Coordinator for Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling, the individual consultant will undertake the following substantive duties: • Provide technical support to strengthen and align their existing legal and policy frameworks on addressing human trafficking and migrant smuggling with international laws; • Design and deliver training curricula and workshops for law enforcement, members of the judiciary, diplomatic / consular staff, and non-governmental stakeholders in relation to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, including new forms of trafficking, changing modus operandi and trends; • Provide support to identify and address points along the criminal justice chain where corruption occurs in relation to trafficking in human beings and smuggling to enhance oversight mechanisms for law enforcement and criminal justice officials; • Draft and review reports for key counterparts on project outputs and deliverables; and • Prepare briefings, presentations, and other materials on topics related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling; and • Other tasks as assigned by the Regional Coordinator The consultant will be required to liaise closely with the UNODC ROSEAP Regional Coordinator for Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling and relevant national counterparts in Southeast Asia in carrying out the tasks. The assignment requires a mixed delivery model. The consultant is required to have specialist, technical knowledge and skills to deliver high quality project wider outputs, including through the development of new approaches and techniques as well as expert advice, mentoring, training, and guidance in relation to several capacity building activities.

Academic qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, social science, political science, international relations, criminology or a related field 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. Work Experience: - A minimum of 10 years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in the field of law and human rights, including experience in anti-human trafficking and migrant smuggling policies and operations at the national, regional and international levels, is required. - Experience in the field of providing technical assistance and support to develop regional and national countering human trafficking and migrant smuggling capacities, including the development and delivery workshops, trainings, research, and policy documents, is required. - Expertise in analyzing policy and legal frameworks related to human trafficking and / or migrant smuggling is required. - Experience working in Southeast Asia and the Pacific with national and regional human trafficking and / or migrant smuggling counterparts is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language, is an advantage.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.