Consultant for chapter I of the INCB's annual report for 2024

Result of ServiceThe submission and approval by the Board of a final draft chapter intended for inclusion in the INCB annual report for 2024 as chapter I, entitled \"Scenarios and possible responses to the rapid expansion of synthetic drug manufacture, trafficking, marketing and consumption\". Work LocationHome-based + travel to Vienna Expected duration15.04. to 30.11.2024 Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe object of the contract is the preparation of a thematic chapter of an approximate length of 7,500 to 8,500 words, including titles, headers and footnotes (the length of the chapters in the past have ranged between 6,000 and 10,000 words) for publication in the INCB annual report for 2024 on the topic and according to the timeline and other modalities described herein. It is understood by the parties that final editorial control and ownership of the draft rests with INCB and that the consultant agrees to produce a final draft which reflects the positions of the Board and incorporates any changes and comments requested by it following review of drafts submitted by the consultant. The consultant will not be publicly acknowledged as the author of the chapter and, through acceptance of the contract, waives any copyright and other proprietary rights and interests which shall belong solely to INCB. In view of the highly sensitive and controversial nature of the topic selected for chapter I of the Board’s annual report for 2024, all discussions with the Board and drafts of the topic must remain confidential. Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant: • Examine the international drug control conventions (1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 1972 Protocol, 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances and 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) and other international instruments and declarations, and identify where specific threats to the provisions of those conventions are posed by the increasing manufacture, trafficking, marketing and consumption of synthetic drugs • Review legislation, and implementation by governments related to the selected topic, including policy options with regard to measures that can be taken by governments to prevent the use of the internet by criminals to promote drug trafficking and use as well as the impact of these actions on national, regional and international drug control activities. Review related available evidence, including on any definition of the concept(s) and reflect upon their evolution, as appropriate; articulate the importance and relevance of action to address the problem to be placed within the context of the role and mandate of INCB; and put forward potentially successful approaches that have not yet been reported, including in formal subject matter literature or publications; • Identify the most pressing challenges that Governments and the international community/international drug control system face concerning the increasing manufacture, trafficking, marketing and consumption of synthetic drugs; • Formulate for consideration by the Board proposed recommendations on the matter; • Work in close cooperation with INCB members and the INCB secretariat; • Prepare, based on own research and analysis, and guidance from the Board and its secretariat, an original and fully-referenced first draft by 29 April 2024, for the consideration by INCB in advance of its May 2024 session for further discussion at that session; • Prepare by 14 June 2024 a second draft of the chapter for review by Board members, based on comments and guidance received from the Board during its May 2024 session, as well as based on guidance from the secretariat. • Prepare a third and final draft, taking into account comments made by the Board and secretariat on the second draft, to be submitted to the secretariat by 9 August 2024, at the latest, for further processing prior to the November 2024 session of the Board; • Finalise the draft of the chapter during the November 2024 session of the Board, incorporating views and comments of the Board as expressed during that session; • Respond to ad-hoc requests for clarification or supporting references during the final editing and publication phase (November-December 2024), and prepare, by 30 November 2024, a 2-page factsheet summary of the chapter for media briefing purposes; • Be present in Vienna for up to three days each during the 140th (20-31 May 2024) and the 141st (29 October-15 November 2024) sessions of the Board. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international relations, security studies or related field 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 5 years of experience in research and analysis of policy advice at the national or international level is required. Highly specialized knowledge and extensive expertise and experience relating to synthetic drugs and their effect on security, public health and geopolitics is required. Experience in leading research, developing and implementing programmes or projects in the sphere of illicit drug markets, criminal networks embedded in illicit economy, and synthetic drug threats in general is required. Excellent drafting skills to present complex and sensitive issues in such a way that they obtain the attention of national and international policy makers, as well as the scientific and academic community and civil society is required. Having published articles on the threat of illicit synthetic drugs, their trafficking and consumption in recognized journals is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations Secretariat language is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.