International Consultant (Human Trafficking, Drug and Precursor Control)

Result of ServiceExpected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s): Based on the Terms of Reference, the consultant will produce the following outputs: Drugs & Precursor Control: • Prepare and seek approval from the national counterparts Year Two Work Plan, including the organization of national stakeholder meetings on precursors and public-private partnerships; coordination meeting between the authorities of Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam to assess the visits to the seaports of Haiphong, Viet Nam and Laem Chabang, Thailand to improve customs procedure related to shipments destined for Lao PDR; • Facilitation of the capacity needs assessment for northern and southern forensic laboratories; • Prepare the roll-out of e-Learning modules for law enforcement; • Prepare the acquisition of equipment and related equipment to high-risk drugs and chemical trafficking areas; • Identify and prepare training for law enforcement officers in legal and procedural requirements during searches, seizures and investigations for chemical diversion and trafficking cases; and • Support quarterly donor reporting. Human Trafficking & Migrant Smuggling: • Prepare and seek approval from the national counterparts for the Year Two Work Plan, including the organization of national meetings related to human trafficking and migrant smuggling as required; • Prepare and support workshops to strengthen cooperation between law enforcement and the Lao Women Union (LWU) and non-government organisations (NGOs) on identification, assistance, and support of victims of different forms of exploitation; • Support implementation of VFI activities; • Prepare and support trainings on identification, screening, and referral of victims for Anti-Human Trafficking Department (ATD); • Prepare and support trainings on evidential issues common to trafficking cases for judges and prosecutors; • Prepare and support trainings on proactive investigative techniques for ATD; • Support with bilateral exchanges between TIP police units; and • Support quarterly donor reporting. Work LocationHome-based with travel to Southeast Asia countries Expected duration9 February 2026 - 31 August2026 Duties and Responsibilities1. Background of the assignment: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) provides technical assistance related to combating transnational organized crime, including on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, and drugs and precursors trafficking, to requesting Member States. This assistance also aims to strengthen criminal justice systems of States and encourages ratification and successful implementation of international conventions and protocol related to transnational organized crime, in compliance with the rule of law and human rights. The Regional Programme for Southeast Asia and the Pacific 2022 – 2026 is designed to address both present and emerging needs within these regions, with the ultimate objective, namely to secure and reinforce the rule of law in Southeast Asia and the Pacific and ensure vulnerable groups and communities in the region are protected from crime. As part of the Regional Programme, UNODC’s Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific (ROSEAP) is implementing a project entitled “Supporting Criminal Justice Institutions and Law Enforcement in Lao PDR to better address the threats posed by transnational organized crime (LAO-TOC)”. The project aims to support the Government of Lao PDR in strengthening and maintaining security for the people through holistic law enforcement and criminal justice strategies that target criminal activities related to TOC groups, as well as delivering human rights-based and gender-sensitive services to safeguard, protect, and compensate victims of crime. The activities under this project fall under two main outcomes: • Improved law enforcement, regulatory, and forensics capacity for drug and precursor control. • Law enforcement and criminal justice agencies’ capacity is strengthened to more effectively investigate and prosecute trafficking in persons cases, while protecting victims, and prevent the exploitation of persons. The consultant is going to undertake various activities under these two main outcomes, including capacity needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, trainings, and workshops related to drugs and precursor control as well as trafficking in persons, and is seeking a consultant to support their implementation. 2. Purpose of the assignment: The purpose of this assignment is to support the implementation of activities under the LAO-TOC project related to the aforementioned outcomes on strengthening capacities for drug and precursor control as well as trafficking in persons. 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the Consultant: Under the supervision of the UNODC Regional Coordinator – Human Trafficking & Migrant Smuggling and Team Lead - Drugs and Precursor Control based in Bangkok, the consultant will carry out the following tasks: • Contribute to the planning, oversight, implementation, management and delivery of technical assistance activities under the LAO-TOC project, including through the organization and delivery of workshops, forums, and trainings as well as the preparation of substantive inputs for capacity development initiatives under the portfolio of both outcomes, including support to: o Capacity needs assessment for northern and southern forensics laboratories o Chemical site visits in Lao PDR o Stakeholder meetings for precursor control o Workshops to strengthen cooperation between law enforcement and the Lao Women Union (LWU) and non-government organisations (NGOs) on identification, assistance, and support of victims of different forms of exploitation o Trainings on identification, screening and referral of trafficked victims o Trainings on investigation and prosecution of trafficking in persons cases o Train the trainers programme for judges on trafficking in persons • Establish and maintain strong relationships with key government counterparts, particularly the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lao Women’s Union, Supreme People’s Procuracy, and Supreme People’s Court of the Lao PDR, to ensure continuous project implementation and strengthened collaboration between UNODC and the Lao Government. • Maintain close relationships with other key stakeholders, including other implementing partners, such as Village Focus International (VFI). Qualifications/special skillsAcademic qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, social sciences, research, or other related fields 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. Working experience: A minimum of five (5) years of professional relevant experience in project management, coordinating and organizing workshops and trainings, particularly in the areas of human trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and / or transnational organized crime is required. Knowledge and understanding of migrant smuggling, human trafficking or drug trafficking in Lao PDR, including legislative frameworks and policies, is required. Experience of liaising with mid- to high-level government officials in Lao PDR is required. Experience working with law enforcement and/or criminal justice practitioners in Lao PDR is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations or other international organizations is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English and Lao PDR, i.e. oral and written proficiency, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.