International consultant (Prison and Penal Reform_

The following outputs are expected to be produced by the consultant: • Submission of one inception and mission preparation note, setting out the proposed assessment method, key research questions for the consultations and institutional visits in Fiji, conference facilitation approach and implementation arrangements; • Substantive contribution to the regional workshop in Fiji, as well as to the workshop outcome document, to include a summary of the key issues discussed, promising practices, common regional challenges and proposed follow-up actions; • Submission of one assessment report on the Fiji Correctional Service, outlining and analyzing key observations, stakeholder feedback, the Service’s current priorities, challenges and reform direction and proposed next steps; • Submission of one project document/concept note on prison and penal reform in Fiji based on the findings of the assessment and responding to identified priority needs; • Submission of one inception report setting out the proposed methodology, assessment framework and approach for stakeholder consultations in Nigeria; • Completion of stakeholder consultations and a technical field assessment of selected custodial centres in Nigeria; • Submission of a draft assessment report, including the suitability of the 3,000 capacity custodial centres in Nigeria to support effective prisoner classification and intelligence-led prison management; analysis of infrastructure operational and policy gaps; and practical recommendations aligned with international standards and good practices; • Presentation of the draft findings to UNODC and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) through a validation meeting, including facilitation of technical discussions and incorporation of feedback, followed by the submission of final feasibility and viability assessment report, incorporating comments and feedback received from UNODC and the NCoS, together with a final presentation summarising key findings and recommendations. All outputs are to be delivered in English, in editable formats, and meeting professional analytical and drafting standards.

Home based with travel

01.09.25-31.10.26

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. 2. In close collaboration with UNODC’s Field Office network, its Global Programme on People-Centered Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, supports Member States to reduce crime, ensure the operation of fair, effective, transparent and accountable criminal justice institutions and to promote equal access to justice for all. Outcome 5 of this Global Programme focuses on advancing penal and prison reform with a view to addressing global prison challenges. 3. UNODC’s strategic approach to prison and penal reform focusses on three inter-linked and mutually reinforcing objectives, namely, to: (i) reduce prison population and enhance the use of non-custodial measures; (ii) strengthen prison management and improve prison conditions; and (iii) enhance the social reintegration prospects of offenders. 4. Over-incarceration, severe prison overcrowding, high recidivism rates, poor prison conditions and the systemic neglect of prison/corrections services in many countries often render prison systems the weakest link in criminal justice systems. These systemic deficiencies risk undermining the ultimate purpose of imprisonment, namely, to protect society from crime and preventing recidivism, and render prison/corrections systems vulnerable to emerging threats. 5. Prison and corrections systems occupy an important, while often underappreciated, position within the transnational organized crime (TOC) response architecture. Prisons are not only sites where individuals convicted of organized crime-related offences serve their sentences, but also spaces where criminal networks can continue to operate, recruit and expand if left unmanaged. 6. The capacity of national corrections services to manage high-risk offenders securely, gather and act on intelligence, and deliver effective rehabilitation programming has a direct bearing on regional efforts to counter organized crime, including drug trafficking networks and emerging cyber-enabled crime. 7. The classification of prisoners based on individual risk and needs assessment as a basis for allocation and programming is a key management practice in this regard. Despite progress in developing respective policies and methodologies, challenges remain to give practical meaning to classification findings, including due to constraints in prison infrastructure and design. Purpose of the assignment The consultant will be tasked with multiple deliverables related to advisory services, assessments and capacity-building for prison/correction services in Fiji and Nigeria. All activities will be conducted in close collaboration with the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section (CPCJS) and relevant UNODC Field Offices.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminal justice, criminology or a related field. 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 work experience in criminal justice and management responsibilities in the field of prison management or the treatment of offenders, including at international level, is required, with a proven exposure to organizational change processes, regulatory frameworks, prison safety and security as well as the classification and the rehabilitation/social reintegration of prisoners. • Direct involvement in the development, delivery and/or evaluation of training programme or servicing of regional or international multi-stakeholder conferences is required; prior experience in delivering workshops/training courses for criminal justice officials and prison officers, in particular, is highly desirable. • International experience and in-depth understanding of crime prevention and criminal justice policies in general, and prison and offender management in particular, is required, including in low- and middle-income countries • Strong drafting and coordination skills, analytical capacities and ability to synthesize complex inputs into coherent and practice-oriented content and guidance, is required; prior experience in developing practice-oriented and user-friendly guidance and tools in the field of prison and offender management is highly desirable. • Understanding of the UN standards and norms related to prison management and the treatment of offenders, in particular the Nelson Mandela Rules, the Bangkok Rules, the Tokyo Rules and the Kyoto Model Strategies, preferably complemented by prior exposure to delivering technical assistance on prison management-related issues in low- and middle-income countries, is highly desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and excellent writing skills English are required. Knowledge of another 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.