International Consultant to assess the national legal framework on international cooperation and mutual legal assistance and develop a legislative action plan

Result of Service Lebanon faced many challenges posed by a dire economic situation, a fragmented political landscape, social unrest and rampant corruption that are further compounded by drug trafficking and trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM). The severe economic and political crisis that Lebanon is currently facing further impairs the capacities of the Lebanese authorities to effectively fight against transnational organized crime. Given the transnational nature of drug trafficking and TIP and SOM, enhancing international cooperation in criminal matters, especially mutual legal assistance (MLA), would strengthen law enforcement and judicial officers’ capability to prevent and combat organized crime in Lebanon.

To tackle this issue, the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and the Public Prosecution Office and with the technical assistance of UNODC is implementing a project entitled « Strengthening Criminal Justice Responses to Transnational Organized Crime in Lebanon » funded by the US/INL.

To meet the project’s objectives, UNODC is proposing to engage an international consultant to assess the national legal framework as it relates to international cooperation and mutual legal assistance, facilitate workshops and develop a legislative action plan and recommendations

Work Location Home based

Expected duration 30 May to 31 August 2022

Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will work under the overall guidance of the UNODC Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa and the direct supervision of UNODC National Programme Officer in Lebanon in liaison with relevant technical section in UNODC Vienna, Morocco and ROMENA. The consultant will perform the following tasks:

Part 1: Assessment 1. Prepare a methodology plan for the legal and practice review process as it relates to international cooperation and mutual legal assistance in Lebanon including data collection tools and analysis plan. 2. Conduct a desk review including the review of the adequacy and efficacy of the legal framework for international cooperation on criminal matters and for mutual legal assistance. This review should include all laws relating to organized crime with a focus on drug control and supply, TIP/SOM, money laundering etc. The review should ensure that this legislation is aligned with the relevant international conventions (the 3 Drug Control Conventions and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime); to which Lebanon is is a Party, and international/regional best practice. 3. Highlight best practices on mutual legal assistance in Morocco to launch on lesson learnt in other countries around the region (e.g., Lebanon) 4. Based on the finalized instruments, facilitate 3 focus groups discussions with relevant counterparts and partners. This will include information on training needs. 5. Submit a draft comprehensive report including details of the assessment and recommendations for review which will include three parts: Part I on Central Authority, Part II on Practice of Judicial Cooperation, and Part III Conclusions (gaps and needs to be met to improve the international cooperation in criminal matters in Lebanon. This will include a section on the training needs of identified partners. 6. Facilitate a two-day workshop with government counterparts to present the assessment report and recommendations for review and buy-in from counterparts

Part II: Development of Legislative Action Plan 7. Design and conduct two workshops with relevant government counterparts to develop a clear action plan on proposed legislative measures to improve the national legal framework applicable to international cooperation in criminal matters as recommended in the white paper.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: An advanced university (Master's degree or equivalent) in the fields of law, criminology, public administration, political science, international relations and/or relevant professional experience in the field is required. A first level university degree in combination with additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience: At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in the area of criminal justice and in international cooperation in criminal matters, as researcher, university professor, judge, prosecutor, investigator, or similar profession, is required. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, oral and written fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of other official UN languages is an advantage. Knowledge of French is desirable.

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.