Result of Service

Practical training curricula on maritime criminal investigations, including evidence handling, chain of custody, and inter-agency coordination updated and developed. Investigation-focused training sessions for maritime law enforcement agencies, navies, coast guards, and prosecutors in the Gulf of Guinea designed and delivered. Operational manuals and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for maritime investigations and case referrals developed and implemented. Technical advice to national investigators on ongoing or simulated maritime cases, provided. Workshops bringing together investigators, prosecutors, and maritime law enforcement agencies to enhance collaboration and communication during the investigation-to-prosecution process, supported and facilitated. Assessments to identify capacity gaps and propose practical recommendations to strengthen national investigative and evidentiary processes, conducted. Analytical reports summarizing training outcomes, recommendations, and lessons learned for follow-up programming, prepared.

Work Location

Home-based with travel to the Gulf of Guinea region

Expected duration

5 January – 30 December 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) Regional Programme Coordinator for the Atlantic Ocean Section, and in close coordination with the Programme Officer in Libreville and national counterparts. The consultant will provide technical expertise in maritime law enforcement investigation to strengthen the operational and procedural capacity of maritime law enforcement agencies in the Gulf of Guinea. The consultancy aims to enhance the ability of officers to conduct effective and legally sound investigations into maritime crimes, including piracy, armed robbery at sea, drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and other transnational organized crimes. By supporting the development and delivery of specialized investigation training modules and standard operating procedures, the consultant will contribute to improving evidence collection, case documentation, inter-agency cooperation, and the overall effectiveness of the legal finish process under the Yaoundé Architecture.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master”s degree or equivalent) in law, criminology, police administration or a similar field, focused on international maritime affairs, international security policy, criminal justice and / or the application of the law is required. A first level university degree in similar fields with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience working in West and Central Africa or comparable environments is desirable. Prior work experience with the United Nations or other international organizations is also desirable Strong analytical, instructional, and reporting skills are required

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations Secretariat language 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.