Result of Service

A. Drafted research plan, conducted desk reviews, identified potential stakeholders, and attended meetings for discussions.
B. Submission and presentation of the preliminary report addressed and evidenced all the specific tasks identified in paragraph 3 and 4 of the Terms of Reference Above.
C. Submission and presentation of the updated report addressed and evidenced all the specific tasks identified in paragraph 3 and 4 of the Terms of Reference Above.
D. Submission and presentation of the final report and had received feedback post Deliverable C above.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

27 November 2023 – 23 February 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Global Programme on Cybercrime (GLOX76) supports countries in strengthening capacities to prevent and combat cybercrime and has a particular focus on capacities in the areas of cybercrime and abuse prevention, cybercrime investigations and electronic evidence, and international cooperation in criminal matters involving electronic evidence.

The objective of the assignment is to increase the understanding of cybercrime threats among Southeast Asian countries by means of developing research on current criminology trends useful for policy makers and criminal justice authorities. The final report will explore the use of cryptocurrencies for criminal purposes in the Southeast Asia region, identifying major trends with regards to particular types of crime perpetrated by criminal organizations, in which cryptocurrencies are used either as a means of committing the offence or as means to move or gain access to the benefits resulting from it. The findings and recommendations of this report will further contribute to support the implementation of policy and capacity building actions of UNODC’s Global Programme on Cybercrime, in particular, contributing to the support provided in developing knowledge and tools to trace cryptocurrencies used for criminal purposes and the policy discussions developed by means of the roundtables that UNODC convenes to analyze and discuss current and emerging cybercrime modalities in the region of Southeast Asia.

Under supervision of the UNODC Regional Counter-Cybercrime Coordinator and Cybercrime Programme Officer based in Fiji and working in close consultation with UNODC staff, in particular cybercrime, law enforcement and prosecutorial experts, the consultant will coordinate and deliver against the selected activities below, in line with the above-mentioned background of assignment.
¿ Review, analyze and use research publications and reports, as well as data provided by UNODC and counterparts, relevant to the subject matter.
¿ Conduct, in accordance with the above, a desktop review of the following areas;
¿ Recent use of cryptocurrencies for illicit purposes within the region and how this has changed over time,
¿ Major trends with regards to the particular types of crime perpetrated by criminal organizations, including but not limited to, trafficking of drugs, money laundering, procurement of illicit items, ransomware, human trafficking, financing of terrorism, online gambling.
¿ The use of cryptocurrencies in the region either as a means of committing offences or as to move or gain access to the benefits resulting from it.
¿ Attend virtual or physical (as required) meetings, workshops and expert group discussions on cryptocurrency related topics with appropriate stakeholders for the purposes of conducting the required research. where possible, including;
¿ Law Enforcement agencies from Southeast Asian countries
¿ Industry
¿ Draft and finalize the research report with the objective of supporting government authorities and law enforcement agencies through concise findings and recommendations that will be used to influence policy and procedures.
¿ Draft thematic chapters (in English) built around the principal issues of consideration, which, among others, should include but not be limited to the following (subject to discussion between the Consultant and Supervisor):
¿ Executive Summary
¿ Overview of current trends in Southeast Asia by crime type
¿ Thematic chapters which include maps, tables, charts, footnotes, etc. The thematic chapters will be agreed with UNODC in the beginning of the consultancy.
¿ Key findings, Recommendations and Conclusion
¿ Bibliography
¿ Annexes

Note 1: the consultant must clearly highly any information with the originator has not allowed to be placed in the public domain.

Note 2: The report must be approximately 20-30 pages long and adhere to appropriate footnote and reference APA guidelines.

Note 3: The consultant shall be responsible for planning feasible deadlines, agreed previously by the regional cybercrime programme coordinator. All the materials and notes should be handed over to UNODC along with mission reports.

Qualifications/special skills

– An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, international relations, social science, law, political science, international relations or criminology, criminal intelligence, intelligence, information technology or similar subject 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.
– A minimum of 7 years of professional in law enforcement, intelligence, prosecution, and/or financial investigation with demonstrable expertise in countering cybercrime (cyber-dependent, cyber-enabled), and online fraud/electronic fraud is required.
– Experience in designing, organizing, planning, and delivering research as directed, using excellent analytical skills and career experience to draft and finalize in line with desired report objectives is required.
– Previous experience gained from consultancy work for similar projects, particularly regarding research to cryptocurrencies and/or crime trends is required.
– Practical broad professional experience in countering online fraud and electronic payment fraud, with a national law enforcement or intelligence agency or prosecution authority, particularly in the areas of cybercrime; delivery of training is desirable.
– Experience in the implementation of project activities and preparing the draft communication and visibility plan is desirable.
– Experience gained from working with United Nations and/or other international law enforcement organizations is desirable.
– Professional working experience in the implementation of counter-cyber technical assistance activities is desirable.

Skills:

– Excellent organizational skills;
– Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
– Attention to detail;
– Ability to plan, manage and deliver under specific deadlines

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language, is an advantage.

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.