Consultant (Civilian Maritime Advisor) at UNDP

Location: Abuja (with periodic travels to Lagos, Nigeria)
Additional Category: Crisis Response
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Sep-2020
Duration of Initial Contract: 90 Days
Expected Duration of Assignment: 90 Days

Background

• The UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) supports the criminal justice systems of states in the Gulf of Guinea region with focus on developing a piracy and armed robbery legal reform to effectively implement the Yaoundé Code of Conduct. Support is directed at reaching fair and efficient trials, proper investigations and humane and secure imprisonment of suspected and convicted pirates, within a sound rule of law framework and in accordance with international human rights standards.
• The lack of prosecution related to piracy and armed robbery at sea continues to undermine efforts to combat such crime. It is important for the region to change this trend and ensure that there is no impunity to attacks at sea. The reason why most countries in West Africa are still not at prosecution stage is due to various factors such as limited national maritime capacities, absence of robust legal frameworks, insufficient domestic justice systems, and other factors inhibiting the legal finish of prosecution related to criminal activities at sea. This is emphasised by the fact that to date, there have been no successful prosecution for maritime piracy in West Africa.
• The UNODC GMCP is currently implementing projects (PSED 1 and 2) of the Danish Gulf of Guinea Maritime Security Programme (GoG MSP) 2019-2021 to strengthening regional capabilities and capacities for maritime domain awareness (MDA) and response as well as a longer-term institutional strengthening of maritime governance. The programme is funded through the Danish Peace and Stabilisation Fund (PSF), which draws from both Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources.
• The overall objective of the support is enhanced regional maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea through more capable maritime and law enforcement institutions at national and regional level. Concretely, the PSED 1 is to strengthen maritime law response to piracy. This is primarily a civil engagement and concerns the development and introduction of relevant maritime crime legislation in Nigeria and Ghana. The PSED 2 is to develop and implement maritime strategies. This is primarily a civil engagement and concerns the development and introduction of relevant strategic documentation and inter-agency cooperation on maritime security in Nigeria and Ghana.

Purpose of the Assignment:

• In line with the above-mentioned 2 projects (PSED 1 and PSED 2) result areas, UNODC GMCP supports Nigeria in developing and implementing national maritime strategy, as well as in strengthening law enforcement operational frameworks to respond to piracy and other maritime crimes.
• The purpose of the assignment is to support project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, counterparts and donor liaison, as well as communication and visibility strategy

Specific tasks to be performed by the Consultant
The assignment will be carried out under the direct supervision of the UNODC GMCP Atlantic Ocean sub-programme Coordinator based in Abuja, and in close coordination with the Associate Programme Officer of the GMCP Atlantic Ocean, based in Accra, Ghana. The incumbent will be based in Abuja, at the UNODC office. More specifically, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:

• Support the implementation of UNODC GMCP projects through interaction with relevant stakeholders in Nigeria, notably NIMASA, NDLEA, NPA, the Nigerian Navy, and the Federal Ministry of Justice. Together with UNODC GMCP staff, the individual contractor will liaise with the Danish Embassy in Abuja and Accra in order to ensure that the Embassy is kept informed on progress and that any obstacles and risks are identified and managed at an early stage:
  • Monitor the implementation of UNODC GMCP projects according to the existing work plans
  • Provide technical input within the scope of the engagements as relevant. It is envisaged that bi-weekly meetings will be held with representatives from Danish Embassy in Abuja and Accra, together with UNODC GMCP staff.
  • Alert the donor where there is a need for political dialogue input with implementing partners and/or national counterparts to help resolve any issues arising. Propose appropriate mitigating action where this is needed.
  • Provide input in the form of comments to the regular reporting of UNDOC GMCP projects. This will be coordinated with the Gulf of Guinea MSP’s M&E Advisor located in Accra. Such input may take the form of comments on the reporting provided by the implementing partners.
  • Maintain regular contact with national (Nigerian) maritime stakeholders.
• Monitor, assess and analyse developments within the maritime security field in Nigeria and in relation to Nigeria’s role within the Gulf of Guinea. Particular attention will be given to civil aspects of maritime security and the advisor will contribute to the maintenance of an overall overview.
• Communicate results and other aspects of public interest relating to UNODC GMCP projects in Nigeria. This will include preparing inputs to UNODC GMCP’s homepage/twitter account as well as reporting on programme activities.
• Ad hoc support to the UNODC GMCP and liaise with Danish Embassy in Abuja in relation to civil aspects of maritime security in Nigeria and more widely in the region.

Expected Tangible and Measurable Output(s):

• Maintain and update the narrative and costed workplan for UNODC GMCP projects (PSED 1 and PSED 2) ;
• Support the development, preparation and implementation of project activities ;
• Provide M&E and reporting support for UNDOC GMCP projects (PSED 1 and PSED 2) ;
• Provide communication and visibility support for UNODC GMCP project activities;
• Ensure regular liaison to national counterparts and donor ;
• Submit monthly report.

Dates and Details of Deliverables/Ppayments:

• The individual contract will receive a monthly remuneration upon satisfactory performance and progress

Indicators to Evaluate the Mentor’s Performance
All the outputs should be submitted in English and meet the satisfaction of UNODC according to the following indicators:

• Quality of the documents produced;
• Effective use and advocacy of reference material such as relevant international and regional instruments;
• Technical competence;
• Timeliness of the delivery

The evaluation of incumbent’s performance will be determined by UNODC GMCP Atlantic Ocean sub-programme Coordinator based in Abuja, or in his delegation of duty, by Associate Programme Officer of the GMCP Atlantic Ocean, based in Accra. If the incumbent does not meet the requirements, he/she will be provided with an opportunity to redraft in terms of the guidance provided by the assessors. If after redrafting the requirements are not met, the UNODC reserve the right to non-payment and/or suspension of the consultancy contract.

Requirements, Skills and Experience

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Political Science or Maritime Security / Governance or related field is required
• Minimum ten years of progressively responsible experience working in the area of maritime administration and governance in West Africa is required. At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience within the area of maritime security is required. It will be an advantage if this includes practical experience of maritime security administration and/or law enforcement.
• Languages Required: English.

Competencies:

• Demonstrable experience managing and reporting on regional projects and/or programmes in Africa involving also international donors is required. This should include familiarity with results based management (RBM) principles, including output and outcome based reporting, monitoring and assessment of changes in assumptions and risks, theory of change etc. Participation in the development of project monitoring systems and related documentation and procedures is an advantage.
• Demonstrable project management and monitoring skills and techniques especially, experience in managing regional peace and security projects is required.
• Demonstrable experience working in the area of peace and security in West Africa is desirable.
• Experience in organizing and participating in international meetings related to maritime administration and governance broadly and particularly, within maritime security is desirable.
• Working experience of international conventions is an asset.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the various frameworks for maritime security in Africa and the West African region, such as UN Security Council Resolutions concerning maritime security in the GoG, 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy, Lomé’ Maritime Charter, ECOWAS and ECAAS Maritime Strategies and the Yaoundé Code of Conduct is an advantage.
• Good knowledge of the maritime sector including national maritime administration, governance and law sector practitioner community in Africa is an asset. It will be a significant advantage if applicants can demonstrate practical experience from the above areas of work in Nigeria.
• Good working knowledge of standard MS Office applications is desirable.
• Ability to work as part of a team in an international cross cultural context is desirable.
• Meticulous attention to detail, whilst maintaining an awareness of general policy directions and priorities of Denmark’s interventions in the Gulf of Guinea is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to multitask and to work under pressure to tight deadlines, whilst maintaining accurate high quality work is an advantage.
• Proven organizational skills in coordinating activities and resources is desirable.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain effective relationships. Confidentiality and a high degree of tact, at all levels is required.
• Excellent ability to present complex issues orally in a clear manner is an advantage.
• Excellent English language drafting skills and oral proficiency is required, including the ability to draft reports with objectivity and independent judgment. Working knowledge of French and Portuguese will be an asset.