Consultancy for Improvement of Forensic Explosives / Explosions Investigation In Forensic Center of Montenegro

Background

The aim of the project is to improve the capacities of the Police Directorate in Montenegro in the entire investigative cycle and in particular to advance the custody chain in order to improve investigations of crime committed with explosives.The project will contribute to the following Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024 Goals.The project aims to ensure standardization of procedure and practices in the area of FAE (Firearms, ammunition and explosives) investigations and significantly reduce illicit flows of explosives info, within and beyond Western Balkans.Since the Forensic Centre is responsible to propose and approve procedures related to the activities of crime-technicians, adopts the procedures on the methods of analyses and expertise, reports to the relevant authorities on the results, and makes the data base of statistics on the quantity and type of seized and used explosive related to various criminal offences, its participation in this process is of the utmost importance, hence, its capacities should be improved.The project also aims to raise the expert competences, professionalism, accuracy and preciseness of the Forensic Centre Chemistry and Fires and Explosions laboratories in order to ensure that Forensic Centre can have a more significant influence on the reduction of illicit use and illicit flows of explosives in Montenegro. The expected results will be the improvement in the quality of work on the crime scene, improvement of the technical capacities and knowledge and operation of the Chemistry and Arson and explosives laboratories of the Forensic Centre and safety of people handling explosives, as well as the entire staff of the Forensic Centre.As recognized by the Roadmap, the forensic investigations and results (forensic evidence) represent an important component in overall efforts of suppression of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and their use in committing criminal acts. Valid forensic evidence contributes to fair legal proceedings, improving the overall level of the rule of law. On the other side, relevant forensic intelligence (data), as a result of advanced forensic investigations of explosive devices and explosives, can be useful for cross-border exchange, in order to provide relevant operative information, as well as evidence, being an important contribution in international law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to the efforts to fight transnational and organized crime.According to the project document, plans are developed to support both crime scene and forensic laboratory investigations of explosion accidents, explosive devices, and explosive materials itself. The on-scene forensic investigation of explosive incidents is performed by the scene of crime teams within the 8 Regional Police Units in Montenegro, accompanied, in certain cases, by the explosion investigation team from the Forensic Centre. All exhibits (evidence) secured during the forensic investigation of the scene of explosion are transferred to the Forensic Centre for further analysis in different forensic laboratories.

The project is aimed to improve all components of this chain, from the procedural point of view, by proper equipping, and by appropriate trainings. These improvements will contribute to the enhancing of the level of overall quality of work and of results, which will provide conditions for ISO 17025 accreditation of new laboratory methods related to forensic investigation of explosives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment: The objective of the assignment is to provide expert support to the Forensic Center of Montenegro in the process of improving forensic investigations of crimes committed with explosives.

The purpose of assignment is to:

• revise the existing standard operating procedures (SOP) and to draft new ones in the area of crime scene investigation (CSI) and Arson / Explosives Laboratory;
• support the process of preparation for accreditation within the Arson / Explosives Laboratory;
• support procurement process for specialized equipment for the Forensic Center of Montenegro by checking and revising of drafted technical specifications and by participating at the evaluation process.

Job content:

Under direct supervision of the respective UNDP Programme Manager and in consultation with the beneficiaries from the Forensic Center, the consultant will:

• draft a new overall basic SOP for CSI, packaging and tagging of evidence, and chain of custody applicable to all CSI units in Montenegro;
• review the drafted procedures in the area of CSI, relevant to explosions / explosives, and propose applicable revisions and harmonization with the overall basic SOP:

- SOP for treatment of improvised explosive devices by crime scene officers;- SOP for forensic search of vehicles regarding explosives;- SOP for securing, packaging, and further handling of explosive substances and post blast traces intended for chemical laboratory analysis.

• review the existing and drafted procedures for the Arson / Explosives Laboratory of the Forensic Center of Montenegro, and propose applicable revisions:

- SOP for reception, protection, and dispatch of explosive and post blast traces;- SOP for handling, reviewing, sampling and measuring of explosive and post blast traces;- SOP for reviewing of pyrotechnic devices;- SOP for reviewing of improvised explosive devices;- SOP for reviewing of conventional explosive devices;- SOP for examining the correctness of the fuse regarding spark transfer and burning velocity;- SOP for examining the correctness of the electric detonator;

• review the existing drafted elements of accreditation documentation for the Arson / Explosives Laboratory, propose applicable revisions, and propose / draft new applicable documents and recommendations, necessary for the process of preparation for accreditation within the Arson / Explosives Laboratory
• analyse and revise drafted technical specifications of the specialised equipment for the Forensic Centre: device for detecting of explosive substances, 3D laser scanner with applicable accessories, software packages and computers, special packages for explosives, detonation chamber, device  for measuring the velocity of detonation, stopwatch, universal electric meter, laboratory scales (three types), personal protective equipment (anti-static clothes, footwear, bracelets), storage containers for explosives, LC-MS/MS device;
• participate in the evaluation during the tendering process for purchasing of the equipment listed above.

The expected results / deliverables:It is expected that the assignment will be completed 240 days upon signing the contract, with the following deliverables due:

Time duration and travel: The Consultant will be engaged during the period from 1 July 2021 until 30 June 2022 (45 consultancy days).

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Fluency in English and Montenegrin (BCMS) language is a requirement.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills. 

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in relevant technical studies.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in the law enforcement sector.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the field of arson and explosion investigations.
• Excellent understanding of the forensic police procedures.
• Experience related to ISO 17020 and 17025 accreditation
• Experience in writing reports, presentations, and similar documents.
• Familiarity with UNDP`s mandate and the human development concept.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate complex and sensitive discussions and group work.

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

• Technical criteria weight - 70% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
• Financial criteria weight - 30%.

Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation. For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by June 20, 2021 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain CV or P11 that can be downloaded at https://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/jobs.html. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".