VBSS Instructor – Maritime Law Enforcement (International Consultant)

Result of Service-Workplans and course curriculum for Basic/Advanced VBSS, Instructor Course, Boarding Officers course, Coxswain and boat maintenance and agenda in consultation with UNODC designed. -Instructors Course and VBSS training to law enforcement officers (Civilian VBSS & Military Advanced VBSS training) in order to increase their capacity and capability on maritime interdiction, boarding, evidence collection and handover procedures in their respective countries, supported and delivered. -Report provided. Work LocationHome-based with travels to West and Central Africa Expected duration5 January – 30 December 2026 Duties and ResponsibilitiesPiracy, armed robbery, drug trafficking and other illegal acts committed at sea plague the Gulf of Guinea with dire economic consequences for its riparian countries. Due to the reduced oil-prices and the weakened oil market, attacks are no longer only targeting oil theft as previously seen, but also involving kidnappings for ransom, similar to what was experienced in East Africa. During a mapping exercise conducted for maritime law enforcement and judiciary in the Gulf of Guinea in 2013, GMCP identified some of the challenges in responding to maritime crime in the region as lack in maritime law enforcement capacity and national coordination among key entities involved in fighting maritime crime. GMCP’s support to member states includes training of officers from maritime law enforcement agencies, the provision and maintenance of equipment, and communication and coordination initiatives between agencies and regional states to improve the exchange of good practices and strengthen the overall criminal justice chain to disrupt maritime crime. GMCP has developed a strong training component through delivering Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training courses for maritime law enforcement (MLE) agencies that enhance the technical and practical knowledge and law enforcement to combat maritime crime in line with a sound rule of law framework. Under the overall supervision of the UNODC GMCP Regional Programme Coordinator for West and Central Africa, and in close coordination with national maritime authorities, the consultant will: -Develop and update VBSS training curricula and lesson plans tailored to the operational contexts of Gulf of Guinea states. -Prepare and deliver theoretical and practical modules on VBSS procedures, including approach, boarding, search techniques, arrest procedures, and evidence handling. -Conduct simulated boarding exercises using available facilities (e.g. Ship-in-a-Box simulator) and ensure compliance with international safety standards. -Mentor and coach national instructors through train-the-trainer sessions to ensure local ownership and sustainability. -Assess participants’ skills and knowledge through practical and written evaluations, providing feedback and recommendations for follow-up training. -Produce detailed post-training reports, including analysis of participant performance, lessons learned, and recommendations for improvement. -Support coordination with national maritime agencies, navies, coast guards, and project partners for planning and logistics of training delivery. Qualifications/special skillsAn 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. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in 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.