Result of Service

Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverables(s): Deliverable 1: Research plan (2-3 pages) – The research plan will include research methodology, a detailed work plan, data collection instruments (including possible OSINT and dark web scraping tools and interview questionnaires), an initial list of online platforms and, eventually, dark net forums to analyse. Deliverable 2: 1st draft report – Draft that highlights and presents material, information and primary and secondary data collected through open-source research activity and interviews. The analysis should also include practical recommendations and measures for identifying, investigating, preventing and disrupting cyber-enabled threats. Deliverable 3: 2nd draft report – Once the comments and feedback from UNICRI and the group of experts are gathered, the consultant will incorporate them in the second draft and share them with the UNICRI project team. Deliverable 4: Final report – Submit the final draft, incorporating the final comments and feedback from the UNICRI project team and the group of experts.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

March – November 2024, 50 working days

Duties and Responsibilities

United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is a United Nations entity established in 1968 to support countries worldwide in preventing crime and facilitating criminal justice. UNICRI is mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. UNICRI’s goals are: – to advance understanding of crime-related problems; – to foster just and efficient criminal justice systems; – to support the respect of international instruments and other standards; – to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance. For more information, please visit UNICRI’s website www.unicri.it. Through the UN Security Council Resolution 2617 (2021) and the Delhi Declaration, Member States agreed that further efforts must be addressed to counter terrorist and violent extremist exploitation of ICT and emerging technologies by ensuring such technologies remain a force for good. In this context, cyber-enabled threats are increased exponentially through terrorist-operated websites available globally, the shift to alternative or fringe social media platforms, the use of the decentralized web, and the abuse of live-sharing technologies to propagate terrorist and violent extremist attacks. Among the diverse range of malicious actors behind these threats, limited knowledge exists about the online activity of extreme right-wing and left-wing movements. UNICRI is researching the online presence, activities, and trends of extreme right-wing and left-wing movements and the consequent cyber-enabled threats to global security governance. Among the diverse trends analysed, the research aims to assess if these groups interact with other malicious actors in cyberspace, and if so, how and to what extent. UNICRI’s research focuses on the threats posed by the abuse of technologies, such as live-streaming, extremist-operated websites and ideologically motivated cyberattacks, and on how these threats manifest in areas beyond Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite the difficulty of investigating such online activities, attributing cyberattacks and assessing their motivations, the abuse of technologies and malicious cyber operations pose serious threats that require a comprehensive understanding to prevent and tackle them. This assignment aims to assist UNICRI in producing a high-quality report that analyses and assesses the cyber-enabled threats posed by extreme right-wing and left-wing groups. The overall research aims to explore and identify the following key areas: – The online activities, trends and cyber-enabled threats posed by extreme right-wing and left-wing movements, such as abuse of technologies and ideologically motivated cyberattacks, through a few case studies; – The most used platforms and how these movements tend to abuse digital technologies, particularly in regions outside Europe, North America and Australia/New Zealand; – The potential collaboration and influence with other malicious actors in cyberspace, with a focus on the potential radicalization process of such actors; – Recommendations and measures on identifying, investigating, preventing and disrupting such trends and cyber-enabled threats. Under the supervision of the Associate Expert, the candidate will perform the following tasks: Prepare a brief research plan: – Meet with the project team to discuss research scope, methodology, case studies (ideally country-specific), list of online platforms (social media and encrypted communication platforms) and eventually dark net forums, and timeline; – Prepare research plan outlining the key aspects of the research, including the topics discussed and agreed with the project team (2-3 pages). Research, analytical assessment, and interviews: – Carry out comprehensive open-source research, literature review and analytical assessment on the key areas; – Identify relevant stakeholders, including law enforcement, government officials, private sector members and representatives from academia and civil society organizations, to join the research’s group of experts in coordination with UNICRI’s project team; – Conduct interviews with members of the group of experts in coordination with UNICRI’s project team. Prepare and present draft report: – Based on the consultation with the group of experts, elaborate an analysis of the findings of the key areas of the research; – Coordinate with the research team and contribute to the preparation of a comprehensive and evidence-based report; – Improve the report based on feedback from the group of experts in coordination with UNICRI’s project team. Finalize the report and validate the second phase: – Present the final report document to the UNICRI team and address any comments they may have on the document; – Perform other job-related duties upon request.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master’s degree in criminology, counter-terrorism, cybercrime and political sciences, or a related field is required. A PhD in the same fields is desirable. Five (5) years of working experience in the study and research of crime prevention is required. Experience in researching the nexus between terrorism/violent extremism and cybercrime is highly desirable. Experience with research and analysis through encrypted communication platforms (public channels) and the dark web is desirable. Publications on terrorism/violent extremism related topics, cybercrime, and the nexus between terrorism/violent extremism and cybercrime is desirable. Previous experience with the United Nations or similar international organizations is also desirable.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language can be an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

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.