Consultant (SOP/BSU Revision)

Result of ServiceUnder direct supervision of the Program Coordinator of and THB-SOM in SA Project, the consultant will perform the following specific tasks: • Provide guidance to National Consultant, Department of Immigration and Emigration and UNODC for the revision of SOP of BSU; • Analyse and review the revised draft of SOP of BSU prepared by National Consultant; • Propose draft sections to update the SOP; • Provide technical input for the draft of the SOP of BSU prepared by National Consultant based on the outcomes of the first and second workshops, • Ahead of the workshops, compile draft sections of the SOP and share with National Consultant, UNODC and the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka; • Assist National Consultant for the revision of SOP and drafting of new sections in line with international standards of practices; and • Deliver two-day training workshop to the Department of Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka on revised SOP. Work LocationHome Based Expected duration15 September 2025 - 25 October 2025 Duties and ResponsibilitiesVictims are trafficked around the world for sexual exploitation, forced labour, begging, petty crimes, removal of organs and for other exploitative purposes. Trafficking in persons is a truly global phenomenon. A great majority of the victims detected are females, although men and boys are also trafficked in significant numbers. Women and girls are not only trafficked for sexual exploitation, but also for forced labour and for other purposes. The percentage of children among victims is increasing and children comprise nearly one third of all detected trafficking victims in the world. The United Nations Trafficking in Persons Protocol entered forced in 2003. Since then, most countries in the world adopted legislations, created institutions and adopted policies to combat trafficking in persons. As more governments answer the call to take action against trafficking in persons, there has been a rising momentum to improve policy and legal responses to combat human trafficking Sri Lanka faces both a significant labor migration outflow and concerns about human trafficking, with some migrant workers becoming victims of exploitation. While the government reports efforts to combat trafficking, vulnerable populations, including undocumented migrants, remain at risk. Available data and information suggest that trafficking is not limited to within a country but can transcend national borders. Borders are the first line of defence of a country and carry various political and social functions, the most important of which are sovereignty, protection and the formation of legal, economic, and social identities. In a globalized economy, borders can appear to lose some of their functions, but the security implications of migration, including trans-border crime such as people smuggling, human trafficking and international terrorism, are yet to be fully addressed. The Border Surveillance Unit (BSU) was established attached to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) of Sri Lanka in July 2019 as a successful outcome of the proposal made in 2017 on the emerging importance of an immigration and emigration surveillance system at border controlling ports of Sri Lanka. The mission of the unit is to maintain surveillance of passengers, extending the framework of immigration and emigration officers to screen irregular movements with fraudulent/counterfeit travel documents and boarding passes, impersonations as well as to identify potential, presumed victims of human trafficking thereby creating an understanding of various modus of operandi used in activities of organized criminal groups while ensuring the safe, orderly and regular migration of persons using the BIA. Collection of data related to aforesaid criminal activities and sharing of intelligence with relevant stakeholders are the key formalities of BSU to ensure national security of the country. The project “Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants in South Asia” (THB- SOM in SA) is a joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the framework of the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT). As part of its efforts to support the Government of Sri Lanka strengthen its border protection to ensure guidance on detection, identification and referral of potential trafficking and smuggling cases at border points, UNODC is seeking a Consultant to provide technical support to review and revise the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of BSU of Sri Lanka. The purpose of the assignment is to support the THB-SOM in SA Project team in the implementation of its country workplan in Sri Lanka, in supporting the Government of Sri Lanka to review and revise the SOP of BSU of Sri Lanka. The Consultant will provide technical input and assistance to national consultant and review and revise the SOP of BSU and provide training to staff of BSU in Sri Lanka in coordination with the Programme Office in Sri Lanka (POLKA). Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in criminal justice, criminology, law, political science, social sciences or other related fields is required. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in law, criminology, human rights or other criminal justice fields at both national and international levels is required Professional experience of national, regional or international response to trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants, and organized crime is required; Strong knowledge of local, regional and global issues and developments on human trafficking and smuggling of migrants, with a robust understanding of the constraints of working in lower resource environments, is required; Experience working for the United Nations or other international organizations on the implementation of technical cooperation is desired. Prior work experience with the South Asia region is desirable; LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, (i.e., oral and written proficiency and excellent drafting skills) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations 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.