Result of Service

• Existing gaps in existing policies and current practices related to the (international) transfer of terrorist or violent extremist prisoners that are applied in Iraq identified and recommendations for improvement developed. • Comprehensive background paper on the transfer of terrorist and violent extremist prisoners developed to serve as a resource and guidance document for policymakers and practitioners in Iraq. • SOPs and related supporting templates on the (international) transfer of terrorist and violent extremist prisoners in Iraq developed; • Report on the implementation of a 2-days expert consultative meeting with Iraqi counterparts on international standards, promising practices and policies governing the (international) transfer of terrorist and violent extremist prisoners prepared, summarizing the meeting outcomes, participants feedback and proposed recommendations. • Final assignment report on all deliverables submitted.

Work Location

Home based – Travel to Iraq.

Expected duration

18 Oct to 30 NOV 2024

Duties and Responsibilities

1. UNODC’s Global Programme on People-Centered Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, which is implemented by the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section (CPCJS), aims to help reduce crime, to ensure the operation of fair, effective, transparent and accountable criminal justice institutions and to promote equal access to justice for all. Outcome 5 of the Global Programme focuses on advancing comprehensive and gender-responsive penal and prison reform with a view to address global prison challenges. 2. UNODC’s strategic approach to prison and penal reform (PPR) focusses on three inter-linked and mutually reinforcing objectives, namely, to (i) reduce prison population and enhance the use of non-custodial measures; (ii) to strengthen prison management and improve prison conditions; and to (iii) enhance the social reintegration prospects of offenders. The Office’s portfolio of advisory services and technical assistance programmes spans more than 50 Member States across all continents, and is firmly grounded on the United Nations standards and norms related to prison management and the treatment of prisoners. 3. In Iraq, UNODC is member of the Security and Accountability for Adults Task Force (SAATF). As indicated in the Terms of Reference of the Task Force, UNODC supports prison-based rehabilitation for Iraqi adult returnees from Syria under its programme on “Addressing Urgent Needs in Iraq: Screening, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration of Adults, Management of High-Risk Prisoners, and Protection Needs of Children Returned from Syria”. 4. More specifically, the Office assists national counterparts to manage the threats that may be posed by Iraqi detainees that have been repatriated to Iraq from prisons and detention centres controlled by the Syrian defence forces by strengthening core prison management practices, supporting the maintenance of safety and security in prisons and providing guidance on how to mitigate the risk of radicalization to violence in prisons. 5. The secure and safe transfer of terrorist and violent extremist prisoners from Syria to Iraq remains a challenging and complex exercise. This being said, ensuring their secure transfer and subsequent allocation is vital to prevent potential security breaches, escape attempts, and the risk of radicalization to violence during transit. Properly managed transfers help maintain the safety of both the prisoners and the public, thereby reducing the likelihood of violent incidents. Additionally, secure transfers are essential for upholding human rights standards and ensuring that prisoners are treated with dignity and respect throughout the process, in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules). 6. The practical application of enhanced tailored policies or guidelines as the basis for decisions of the safe and secure transfer of terrorist and violent extremist prisoners, can mitigate this risk and assist in the broader management of prisoners.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in criminology, law, social sciences, business administration, or related discipline 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. • At least 10 years of professional work experience in criminal justice, preferably prison administrations, including exposure to the management of treatment of prisoners assessed to be of high risk; direct involvement in the development, implementation and/or research on penal and prison reform is required. • International experience and in-depth understanding of crime prevention and criminal justice policies in general, and prison and offender management in particular, is required, including in low- and middle-income countries. • Strong research, drafting and coordination skills, analytical capacities and ability to synthesize complex inputs into coherent and practice-oriented content and guidance, is required • Prior experience in developing practice-oriented and user-friendly tools in the field of prison and offender management is desirable, as is prior experience in delivering workshops/training courses for criminal justice officials, including prison officials. • Understanding of United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, in particular the Nelson Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules, preferably complemented by exposure to delivering technical assistance on prison management – related issues at international level is desirable, including in low- and middle-income countries

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency and excellent writing skills in English.

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.