Result of Service

A. Tailored research and training on countering Captagon/Amphetamines trafficking finalized.
B. Training activity delivered, according to established schedule and curriculum.
C. Activity report and evaluation completed and submitted to PCBT staff.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

3 days

Duties and Responsibilities

This posting is on behalf of the Passenger and Cargo Border Team of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime – UNODC

Background:

About 90% of the world’s cargo is transported in maritime containers, but only less than 2% is physically inspected by customs authorities. This fact provides ample opportunities for illicit activities, such as avoiding customs duties, circumventing quotas, or smuggling nuclear materials, weapons and drugs. Today, it is widely believed that the only viable way to control containerized cargo is through information-based risk analysis followed by detection technologies. In this way, it becomes possible to target high-risk consignments and proceed with physical examinations only when needed.

The Passenger and Cargo Border Team (PCBT) targets illegal containerized shipments by building risk assessment and inspection capacity in specialized Port Control Units (PCUs) and Air Cargo Control Units (ACCUs) made up of officers from customs, national police and other relevant law enforcement agencies. The CCP implements activities in multiple phases, ranging from technical needs assessments to the establishment of PCUs/ACCUs and training of the officials.

In recent years, the trafficking of captagon has gained prominence in the Middle East, particularly in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the Golf Countries, leading to a greater allocation of resources by the affected member states. While seizures of captagon and amphetamine-like substances originating in Lebanon and Syria are frequently carried out in neighboring countries, information on current trends and the magnitude of the trade remain largely unknown. Knowledge of the short-term and medium-term effects of captagon consumption is also insufficient, leading to a lack of understanding by law enforcement officers regarding the need of taking proactive counter-measures to captagon trafficking.

The rise in criminal activities related to captagon trafficking in Lebanon, as well as the sustained donor support, have created opportunities for further training and professionalization of counter-trafficking expertise in this area. Therefore, the recruitment of a national expert researcher with knowledge of the specificities of the topic concerning captagon trade is needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1.1 Attend a virtual planning meeting to finalize the aims, objectives, and expected outcomes of the assignment.
1.2 Develop a training curriculum on captagon and amphetamines trafficking that is tailored to the specific context and challenges of Lebanon.
1.3 Deliver a half-day in-person training to Customs and other national law enforcement officers from Lebanon, with a special focus on regional trends, and magnitude of the issue.
1.4 Liaise with relevant private sector and government representatives, as necessary.
1.5 Prepare and revise the training report and evaluation on the implementation of the activity for PCBT staff.

Qualifications/special skills

A master’s degree or equivalent in the field of public health, statistics, international relations or any other related area is required.
A doctoral degree is desirable. A bachelor’s degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in the areas of academia, research or public health is required.
Proven ability to develop, organize and deliver training, exercises and workshops is required.
Demonstrated experience with undertaking research on illicit trafficking trends, narcotics and Lebanon is required, preferably at the international level is desirable.
Work experience within the UN system or other international organizations is desirable.
Ability to work in a team, good training, and interpersonal and communication skills are desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required.

Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

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.