Result of Service

A) Capacity and needs assessment methodology and instruments developed and cleared. B) Report on capacity development and training needs assessment for each beneficiary lab developed in close consultation with the beneficiary labs and UNODC. The report should include general information on the labs, their mandate, status and services, staff situation, laboratory facility, equipment, materials, analytical procedures and methods used, capacity development and staff training and expert advisory needs, and other strategic and operational recommendations.

Work Location

Home-based with travel to Tashkent, Uzbekistan 15-17 March (TBC)

Expected duration

15 Mar-15 June 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

The constantly changing pattern in both conventional and organized crime, including all forms of trafficking, has led in recent years to increased interest on the part of Governments and the international community in establishing or strengthening quality forensic science services at the national level. Over the past few years Uzbekistan has made significant progress towards ensuring rule of law and reforming its judicial and legal system to protect human rights and freedoms. The government has also taken measure to improve forensic services and implement international standards and good practices in this area. Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. UP-6256 dated July 5, 2021 approved the Concept for the development of forensic services in the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2021-2025 and adopted a roadmap for its implementation. In accordance with this concept, the main objectives for the development of the forensic science in the short and long term perspectives are defined as meeting the needs of courts and law enforcement agencies in qualified forensic analysis taking into account the requirements of international norms and standards, improving forensic services on a systematic basis, forming a stable and science-based forensic services system, strengthening the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of individuals and entities in trials, as well as ensuring the impartiality and independence of forensic experts. Since 2017, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with financial support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), has been working closely with forensic science institutions of the Ministries of Justice, Interior, Health and the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan to strengthen their capacity to provide reliable and objective analysis in a number of forensic fields in accordance with international standards. This cooperation resulted in obtaining international accreditation of 3 forensic centres, namely Republican Centre of Forensic Expertise under the Ministry of Justice, Main Expert and Criminalistics Centre of the Ministry of Interior and Central Customs Laboratory of the State Customs Committee in line with ISO/IEC 17025. At the same time, the growing popularity of the use of modern technologies and methods worldwide in the commission of crimes requires further improvement of the processes of proving in court, using scientifically and technically sound reliable evidence, a person’s guilt for a socially dangerous act. There is a need to bring to a new level the practice of applying the advanced achievements of contemporary science and technology, in particular forensic scientific methods and means, in the course of operational-search measures to combat crime, and the collection of evidence in the course of investigative and judicial actions. The Government of Uzbekistan looks to further expand cooperation with UNODC in strengthening the capacities and capabilities of forensic science institutions to provide high quality and state-of-the-art forensic services in the field of identification of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, including synthetic drugs and NPS, applying DNA profiling and analysis in identification of crime suspects, forensic examination of firearms and toolmarks, and digital and multimedia evidence disciplines. In August 2023, UNODC launched the project “Improve Forensic Capacities in Uzbekistan – Phase III” within the framework of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia 2022-2025. Building on the results of cooperation within the framework of the projects “Strengthening forensic laboratories of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice” (2017-2020) and “Strengthening Forensic Services in Uzbekistan – Phase II” (2020-2022), the current project aims to contribute to an impartial, independent and fair criminal justice by improving the quality and effectiveness of forensic services in Uzbekistan. This will be achieved by strengthening the capacity and capabilities of the selected national forensics laboratories to deliver reliable and objective forensic examinations in a number of forensic disciplines such as illicit drugs and precursors, biological materials (DNA), firearms and toolkits, digital forensics and crime scene investigation in line with the international standards and best practices. In order to achieve the objectives, the consultant shall: • Develop and submit to UNODC the methodology and instruments for the laboratories’ capacity and needs assessment. • Hold online consultations with the beneficiary lab management and staff to discuss and document the capacity building and training needs of the lab personnel prior to the field mission to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. • Undertake field visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan to meet with the laboratory management and key personnel, observe the process and provide expert advisory support on management, standard operating procedures, methods and essential equipment for the forensic examination of firearm and its components. • Develop recommendations for the further improvement of laboratory practices, and technical assistance, capacity building and training action plan for each participating labs in close consultation with the national counterparts and UNODC.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Chemistry, Physics, Forensics, Criminal Investigation, Police Studies, Law or any other relevant field is required. A first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Formal qualifications or certifications from a recognized national or international customs authority, police academy, or military-training institution, supplemented by specialization in criminal justice, crime prevention, or law enforcement, in combination with four (4) additional years of qualifying work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the first level university degree. At least 10 years of continuous professional experience in forensic firearms and ballistics examination are required. Proven knowledge and experience with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 are required. Experience of working in an international setting or with international partners is desirable. Professional experience in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia region on similar assignment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this assignment, fluency in oral and written English is required. Proficiency in Russian is an advantage.

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.