International Consultant (Prison Recruitment Campaign Strategy)

• Timely submission of all deliverables, including the extent to which these are well-researched, operationally practical and tailored to the institutional, social and communications context of Sint Maarten; • Transparency and inclusiveness of the consultation process with UNODC, the Ministry of Justice, prison management, corrections staff and other relevant stakeholders, including the effective design and facilitation of focus groups and stakeholder engagements to ensure that diverse perspectives are effectively captured and reflected in the analysis; • Quality, relevance and clarity of the strategic communications outputs, including the strength of the narrative framework, messaging, audience segmentation and practical applicability to support public perception shifts and recruitment objectives; • Effectiveness of stakeholder engagement during the mission, as reflected in the level of participation, clarity of discussions and usefulness of insights generated; • Quality and usability of all written and presentation outputs, including structure, coherence, clarity of language and suitability for decision-making by UNODC, the Ministry of Justice and prison. • All final documents formatted, well-organized and written in clear, professional English.

Home based with travel

1.05-30.06.2026

1. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), established in 1997 and headquartered in Vienna, is the lead United Nations entity supporting Member States in combating illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, corruption and terrorism, while strengthening justice and rule-of-law institutions. Through a global network of 54 regional and country offices, including the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN) based in Panama City, UNODC has been active in the Caribbean region for more than 15 years, providing technical assistance on crime prevention, criminal justice reform, prison management and social reintegration. 2. UNODC’s work on prison and penal reform is grounded in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), the Bangkok Rules and the Tokyo Rules. Its approach focuses on three interrelated objectives: reducing the unnecessary use of imprisonment, improving prison management and conditions of detention, and strengthening rehabilitation and reintegration systems. This aligns with the UN System Common Position on Incarceration (2021), which calls for addressing over-incarceration, promoting non-custodial measures, and ensuring that prisons uphold human dignity, safety and rehabilitation as core principles. 3. In Sint Maarten, the penitentiary system has faced longstanding challenges, including deteriorated and unsafe infrastructure, chronic understaffing, overcrowding, and limited access to education, vocational training, work opportunities and social programmes. These challenges have been repeatedly highlighted by international and national oversight bodies. 4. The Government of Sint Maarten has publicly acknowledged these challenges and has committed to making comprehensive criminal justice reform a national priority. This commitment is embodied in the multi-year Detention Sector Reform Programme (DSRP), led by the Ministry of Justice with financial support from the Government of the Netherlands. The DSRP aims to modernize the detention system from pretrial to post-detention through various initiatives, strengthen governance and accountability, and ensure compliance with international standards. The programme consists of two complementary pillars: an infrastructure component, led by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which is constructing a modern correctional facility based on contemporary safety, security and reintegration principles; and a human and institutional component, led by UNODC, which strengthens prison management systems, professionalizes the correctional workforce, expands reintegration programmes and develops the transition plan to safely and effectively move from the current facility to the newly built one. The consultant will be tasked with developing an evidence-based strategic communications foundation to advance key priorities of the Detention Sector Reform Programme (DSRP), with a focus on strengthening the public image and professional identity of correctional work to support the recruitment of qualified staff; promoting a positive and informed community perception of prison reform to enable engagement with civil society, education institutions and the private sector; and enhancing public understanding of reintegration and post-release pathways as essential components of public safety and sustainable criminal justice reform, in line with the Nelson Mandela Rules and related United Nations standards.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, public relations, social sciences, public policy, behavioural sciences or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in a similar discipline, combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. • At least 10 years of professional experience in strategic communications, public information campaigns or perception change initiatives, including work on public sector reform, institutional change or social impact communications is required. • Proven experience in developing narrative frameworks, messaging strategies and communication campaigns aimed at influencing public perceptions and engaging diverse audiences, including hard-to-reach or non-traditional target groups is required. • Strong analytical, drafting and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, practical and audience-appropriate messaging, is required. • Demonstrated experience in conducting qualitative research, stakeholder consultations and focus groups, and translating findings into actionable communications strategies and messaging is desirable. • Experience in developing visual identity concepts, campaign directions and storytelling approaches, ensuring alignment between messaging, visual logic and audience engagement strategie is desirable. • Knowledge and understanding of criminal justice, prison reform or related public policy areas, including familiarity with UN standards and norms such as the Nelson Mandela Rules and the UN System Common Position on Incarceration, is desirable.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English with excellent drafting and communication skills is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations 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.