Local Consultant to Assist in implementation and delivery of Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) initiatives in Maldives (Only for Maldivian Nationals)

Background

Introduction

The UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) provides support to develop and strengthen the capacity of Member States in the Indian Ocean, Horn of Africa and West Africa to respond to the threats posed by maritime crime. Through GMCP, UNODC works closely with law enforcement agencies to enhance their capabilities in disrupting, investigating and prosecuting maritime offences.

UNODC-GMCP is currently expanding its activities in the Maldives in the areas of maritime law enforcement, island security and support to the judiciary to counter maritime crime. The primary objective is to support the Government of Maldives in the identification and response of threats at sea, including transnational organized crime in the form of drug trafficking, illegal fishing or terrorism.

 

Background

UNODC-GMCP has a growing relationship with Maldives. To date, UNODC-GMCP has supported of maritime law enforcement agencies, predominantly the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the Maldives National Defence Force Coastguard (MNDF(CG)), in addressing vulnerabilities around maritime intrusion and enhancing communication networks. A detailed Threat Assessment was completed on behalf of the Ministry for Home Affairs (MoHA), a regional Expert Group meeting was convened, and additional work was carried out in support of MPS regarding Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and delivering a Tabletop Exercise on Remote Island Security. As part of these developments, UNODC-GMCP recommended the development of Minimum-Security Standards (MSS) in response to the emergence of locally-inhabited islands with a growing and dynamic entrepreneurial (budget) tourism market (commonly referred to as ‘hybrid’ islands) but lacking the levels of security of the ‘high-end’ tourist-only islands (known as ‘resort’ islands). A pilot exercise was conducted during 2019 through the delivery of basic security awareness and incident response workshops for tourism providers in two ‘hybrid’ islands, resulting in a significant support to Maldives maritime and other law enforcement actors and maximizing existing resources through a holistic approach to island security.

UNODC-GMCP has also engaged in discussions related to Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). In 2018, UNODC-GMCP gathered representatives from a wide range of law enforcement agencies, including the MNDF(CG), the Attorney General’s Office, the Maldives Prosecutor-General’s Office, the Maldives Police Marine Operations Unit, and the Maldives Customs Service, to participate in a workshop on evidence collection relating to fisheries crimes. As part of this exercise, UNODC-GMCP exchanged information on current mechanisms to combat illegal fishing as well as and other maritime crimes, including the use of technological tools to expand the law enforcement capacity on MDA. This led to the recommendation of establishing a national maritime intelligence bureau, tightening coordination with national maritime fusion centres in the region and developing information sharing mechanisms with relevant international stakeholders.

Between 2019 and 2020, UNODC-GMCP has strengthened the capacity of Maldivian maritime law enforcement agencies through Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training. VBSS training targets national maritime law enforcement authorities to enhance their capability to disrupt and respond effectively to maritime crime threats. VBSS trainings include theoretical sessions on trends of drug trafficking, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in the Indian Ocean region, which are delivered by expert officers from countries of best practice. In addition to VBSS courses, UNODC-GMCP has enhanced the capacity of the Maldives Customs Service through vessel searching training courses. These courses allow trainees to apply theoretical knowledge through well-prepared simulated scenarios and hands-on exercises with the aim of improving their skills in the identification of restricted goods, illicit narcotics, weapon trafficking and irregular migratory activity. UNODC-GMCP also delivered protective and searching equipment to complement training endeavours.

In 2020, UNODC-GMCP is expanding its activities to support maritime law enforcement agencies in countering maritime crime and other types of transnational organized crime, including but not limited to drug trafficking, illegal fishing and terrorism, through (1) the design and delivery of training on security preparedness and response under the Minimum-Security Standards (MSS) national strategy, (2) the establishment of VBSS training centre, (3) the design and delivery of training on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) as well as the procurement of MDA-related equipment, and (4) the provision of relevant equipment and technology to improve island security. Given this expansion, there is a crucial need to coordinate logistical, operational and strategic support in the Maldives to guarantee the successful implementation and delivery of the various projects UNODC-GMCP plans to be delivered in the country.

 

Overall objective of the assignment:

The overall objective of this assignment is to contribute to the implementation of UNODC-GMCP projects, through the development of a comprehensive and coordinated approach to support the Government of the Maldives in formulating and implementing strategies and action plans concerning capacity building in maritime law enforcement in the region.

 

Specific objectives:

The consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Interact, coordinate and liaise with government officials and other relevant stakeholders to ensure smooth programme implementation, particularly, but not limited to, that related to Minimum Security Standards (MSS) for island security;
• Provide logistical support for the implementation of GMCP’s projects in the Maldives and assist with organizing workshops, meetings, donor roundtables and other events, particularly, but not limited to, that related to Minimum Security Standards (MSS) for island security;
• Coordinate the logistics of GMCP Staff and expert consultants to the Maldives for project implementation and/or stakeholder’s meetings;
• Work proactively with the GMCP team to identify opportunities for capturing and sharing knowledge, and disseminating information about major progress and results of the Programme;
• Support and develop reports, brochures, fact sheets, e-newsletters and other communication materials highlighting the work of GMCP, to increase the visibility and create awareness among relevant stakeholders;
• Maintain a photo database that contains images capturing the issues, actions and results of GMCP’s work in the country;
• Perform other work-related duties as required/assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under this consultancy, UNODC seeks to, upon approval of Maldivian authorities: (1) support and oversee the delivery and implementation of GMCP projects, in cooperation with Maldivian stakeholders and (2) ensure project objectives and impact are achieved and disseminated to key stakeholders. Additionally, (3) the consultant will contribute to the dissemination of strategic communications to highlight the work of UNODC in the country.

Deliverable A and B:

Monthly progress report with summary of activities carried out based on specific tasks mentioned above and enclosing relevant attachments, including, but not limited to, post-meeting/working group meeting summaries/minutes; documents demonstrating engagement with vendors/suppliers for the logistical and administrative aspects of GMCP’s in-country project implementation when applicable (i.e. Terms of Reference, items list for procurements, etc.); reports, brochures and other communication material developed; photographs of events, workshops, training; other work performed as required/assigned.

Deliverable C:

End of assignment report, with findings, challenges and recommendations in the interaction with government counterparts.

 

Dates and details of deliverables/payments:

Deliverable	Output	Working Days	To be accomplished by (date)	Percentage payment
A	Monthly progress report (see Section 6).	12 days	5 August 2020	30%
B	Monthly progress report (see Section 6).	12 days	2 September 2020	30%
C	End of assignment report, with findings, challenges and recommendations in the interaction with government counterparts.	12 days	30 September 2020	40%

 

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

The indicators to evaluate the consultant’s performance:

• Timeliness and quality of reports, plans, and drafts;
• Quality of engagement with the Maldivian authorities and stakeholders;
• Capacity to liaise stakeholders of the consultative process.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively using online platforms.

Reporting and communication

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of Masatomo Yamaguchi, Programme Coordinator, Indian Ocean East, with the guidance of Joshua Arteta, Project Support Officer, Indian Ocean East, and with the remote support of UNODC-GMCP’s International Security Preparedness and Response Expert.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the United Nations’ values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Strategic vision and strong technical and analytical capabilities;
• Excellent organizational and management skills;
• High level of self-management capacity and proactive self-drive under very low supervision;
• Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships;
• Strong written, interpersonal and oral communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• University degree in international relations, law, social sciences, political science, management, administration, or related fields is required;

Experience 

• At least 10 years work experience in the Maldives in the areas of law and/or law enforcement is required;
• Excellent research, analytical and drafting skills is required;
• Experience analysing and organizing data/information is required;
• Proficiency in the use of computers and programs, especially online communication software and platforms, is required;
• Understanding of UNODC and GMCP mandate is required;  
• A broad understanding of the maritime situation in South Asia is an asset.

Language requirement

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Dhivehi is required

 

Application process

Interested individuals must submit the following as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications:

• A letter indicating why the candidate considers himself/herself suitable for the required consultancy
• Submission of an updated detailed Personal CV or P11 form which can be downloaded from  http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc. The CV must capture all past experience from similar projects.
• Previous similar works undertaken by the consultant
• At least two references from recent previous jobs and three references contact details including phone number and email
• Financial proposal indicating Daily consultancy fee in Maldivian Rufiyaa.

Technical criteria weight - 70 marks

• Educational qualification - 20 points
• Experience in the area of law enforcement and border management - 20 points
• Experience on South Asian development context and working with the government and development partners in the Maldives - 30 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.

Contact information for queries:

For any clarification, please contact: 

joshua.gonzalez@un.org.

Note: Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into one single file.