Individual Contractor for updating the 2018 UN Compendium of Good Practices on Critical Infrastructure Protection against Terrorist Attacks

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration Expected Duration: 80 days over a period of four months with a possibility of extension subject to operational requirements and availability of funds.

Duties and Responsibilities BACKGROUND

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017 (A/RES/71/291). The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and (e) ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

The Global Programme on Countering Terrorist Threats against Vulnerable Targets (thereafter “Vulnerable Targets Programme”) responds to a call by Member States, including through the General Assembly (GCTS and 7th review resolution A/RES/75/291) and the Security Council (resolutions 2341 (2017) and 2396 (2017); and the Security Council Madrid Guiding Principles on Foreign Terrorist Fighters and their 2018 Addendum), to enhance UN support to Member States to address gaps and challenges in protecting vulnerable targets, which include critical infrastructure and ‘soft’ targets. For example, the 2018 Addendum to the Madrid Guiding Principles (S/2018/1177) contains two specific recommendations (No. 50 and 51) to providing guidance to protect critical infrastructures and soft/vulnerable targets and underlines the need to deliver effective and targeted capacity development, training and other necessary resources, and technical assistance.

The Vulnerable Targets Programme, which was launched in January 2021 aims at (i) identifying and sharing policies and good practices to understand, prevent and counter terrorist threats against vulnerable targets; (ii) strengthening Member States’ capacity to develop comprehensive and collaborative strategies including through public-private partnerships; and (iii) providing, upon request, tailored capacity-building to prevent, protect, mitigate, investigate, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks against vulnerable targets, including urban centres and major touristic venues, religious sites, and the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The Programme is being implemented by UNOCT in partnership with CTED, UNAOC and UNICRI, and in consultation with INTERPOL.

In 2021 the Vulnerable Targets Programme published four specialized thematic modules as an introductory source of guidance on the protection of tourist venues, religious sites and urban centres as well as on the exposure of vulnerable targets to UAS-related threats. The thematic modules complemented the above-mentioned 2018 Compendium of Good Practices for the Protection of Critical Infrastructure against Terrorist Attacks and were published as an Addendum to the 2018 Compendium to address “soft targets” as a distinctive type of sites worth of a dedicated and accrued security approach.

RATIONALE

The Individual Contractor will be assigned to the UNOCT / SPIB / Special Projects Section – Vulnerable Targets unit.

The purpose of this assignment is to provide specialized expertise to support the UNOCT Global Programme to counter terrorist threats against vulnerable targets to update the UN Compendium of Good Practices on Critical Infrastructure Protection. The Compendium was developed in 2018 as a joint effort between UNOCT, CTED and INTERPOL in the framework of the Working Group on the Protection of Critical Infrastructure including Internet, Vulnerable Targets and Tourism Security under the UN Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force (CTITF). In 2019, the CTITF was folded into the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact which established a Compact’s Working Group on Emerging Threats and Critical Infrastructure Protection (ETCIP). UNOCT, CTED and INTERPOL will undertake the 2022 review of the Compendium in close consultation with the ETCIP Working Group.

WORK ASSIGNMENT

The Individual Contractor will work under the direct supervision of the SPS / Vulnerable Targets Programme Management Officer, and under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Special Projects Section.

The Individual Contractor will be responsible for the following deliverables (please see payment schedule/deliverables annexed): - Conduct an in-depth review of the 2018 UN Compendium of Good Practices on Critical Infrastructure Protection;

• Conduct a comprehensive research (desk review) and identify additional good practices on the protection of critical infrastructure that Member States across the world (geographical diversity) are implementing, especially since 2018 when the original compendium of good practices was published;

• Develop a methodology for the drafting of the 2022 Updated UN Compendium of Good Practices on Critical Infrastructure Protection, factoring in the in-depth review and comprehensive research conducted, as well as the guidance received from the lead partners of the project (UNOCT, CTED, INTERPOL) and — through them — the Global Compact ETCIP Working Group;

• Support outreach efforts led by UNOCT to identify good practices, tools, case studies, etc. that could be included in the 2022 Updated UN Compendium of Good Practices on Critical Infrastructure Protection;

• Participate in coordination and outreach meetings as required, and follow-up on their outcomes as relevant to the drafting of the 2022 Updated UN Compendium of Good Practices on Critical Infrastructure Protection;

• Based on all of the above, produce drafts of the 2022 Updated UN Compendium of Good Practices on Critical Infrastructure Protection, integrating comments/inputs received in the different rounds of review that will be undertaken, until the final version of the 2022 Updated Compendium is approved;

• Based on the in-depth research conducted and the drafting process, produce a list of identified good practices, tools, case studies, etc. on critical infrastructure protection that will become part of UNOCT’s Vulnerable Targets Protection digital repository/library of good practices;

• Contribute to written outputs pertaining to programme activities, monitoring/donor reports highlighting programme developments, outputs/outcome/impact of implemented activities, forecasted risks, and new opportunities, as needed/requested.

  Qualifications/special skills Competency: - Professionalism: Demonstrated professional competence and expertise in the fields of counter-terrorism, public security or related issues. Good understanding of the United Nations’ role in the field of counter-terrorism and knowledge of relevant counter-terrorism conventions, instruments and documents, in particular the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and relevant UN Security Council resolutions and documents. Has proven advanced drafting and analytical report writing skills. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to assist with data collection using various methods and conduct independent research and analysis. Is able to prepare external-facing communication products, including presentations and other materials. Ability to identify key issues, analyze, and participate in the resolution of key issues/problems. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in social science such as international relations, security studies, political science, law, business administration, international relations or other related fields is required. Specialization or additional qualifications in security (e.g. counter-terrorism, national security, public security) will be an advantage. In the absence of an advanced university degree, the expert must have a Bachelor’s degree and an additional 2 years of demonstrated professional experience. Experience: Experience: A minimum of seven years of experience in counter-terrorism, law enforcement or public security; knowledge of the protection of critical infrastructure and ‘soft targets’; and proven experience in preparing academic/research papers, analysis, structured reports, handbooks and guides are required. Experience working with the United Nations and/or other international or regional organizations; demonstrated ability to work with public authorities and private sector operators; knowledge of good intercultural communication practices; and experience engaging with networks of experts will be considered an asset. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Proficiency in French will be considered an advantage.

  Additional Information Please apply to Job Opening by the deadline.

  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.