Senior Fellow

Consultant Security

Overview

Assist Programme Officer in implementing programme activities and providing technical advice.

You have:

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in criminology, law, criminal justice, social sciences, public policy, or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree.
• At least 10 years of relevant working experience in the field of prison reform, organized crime prevention, or related areas is required.
• Previous experience working with government authorities in Mexico on prison management, criminal justice reform, or organized crime issues is required.
• Experience with the United Nations or similar large international or regional organizations is desirable.
• Experience in capacity-building and activities within prison systems or law enforcement institutions is desirable.
• Proficiency in Spanish and English is required.
• Knowledge of Italian is an asset.

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

Fellow will assist the Programme Officer in implementing programme activities, providing policy and technical advice, liaising with government and prison authorities, and supporting research, reporting, and training to strengthen Mexico’s penitentiary system and crime prevention policies

Work Location

Home-based - Preferably in loco (Mexico)

Expected duration

March – May 2026

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background of the assignment: The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) is a United Nations entity established in 1968 to support countries worldwide in preventing crime and facilitating criminal justice. UNICRI is mandated to assist intergovernmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations in formulating and implementing improved policies in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice. UNICRI' s goals are: • to advance understanding of crime-related problems; • to foster just and efficient criminal justice systems; • to support the respect of international instruments and other standards; • to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation and judicial assistance. In line with its mandate and goals, UNICRI implements targeted programmes to support countries in strengthening criminal justice institutions and addressing complex crime challenges. Building on its collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Justice and the Government of Mexico, UNICRI’s programme supports the reform of Mexico’s prison system and tackles organized crime infiltration. The initiative combines international best practices, practical training, and institutional reform measures to improve prison management, promote rehabilitation and reintegration, and enhance coordination between federal and subnational authorities. By doing so, the programme contributes to more secure, efficient, and rights-respecting penitentiary institutions, directly reflecting UNICRI’s mission to foster just and effective criminal justice systems and uphold international standards. 2. Purpose of the assignment: With specific reference to the project: “Programme for the Strengthening of the Penitentiary System and Social Crime Prevention Policies in Mexico as a Model for Latin America”, the Senior Fellow will assist the Programme Officer in implementing programme activities, providing policy and technical advice, liaising with government and prison authorities, and supporting research, reporting, and training to strengthen Mexico’s penitentiary system and crime prevention policies. 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the Senior Fellow: With the support from UNICRI and under the overall supervision of the Programme Officer, the Senior Fellow will perform the below listed duties: • Conduct in-depth research and legal/policy analysis on Mexico’s prison system, including extortion networks, corruption, organized crime dynamics, and rehabilitation frameworks such as social reintegration and prison labour. Undertake comparative reviews of international penitentiary frameworks—particularly high-security and intelligence-led regimes—to identify effective practices from international contexts, including Italy, for preventing criminal infiltration, disrupting extortion, and strengthening prison governance. Produce written outputs as necessary to inform concrete project interventions and operational recommendations. • Support the design, implementation, and monitoring of prison reform initiatives, including capacity-building activities and field missions, with a focus on the prevention of extortion, intelligence-led operations, high-risk inmate management, organized crime mitigation and social reintegration within prison. • Draft policy papers, reports, and substantive inputs to support government consultations, programme development, and capacity-building initiatives focused on mitigating organized crime risks within prisons. • Serve as liaison with government agencies, prison authorities, civil society, and international partners, promoting international cooperation and sharing best practices to strengthen prison governance, prevent organized crime, and support rehabilitation initiatives. • Participate in meetings, workshops, and high-level dialogues with national and international stakeholders, preparing briefing notes, talking points, and presentations on prison reform and organized crime prevention. • Contribute to advocacy and awareness initiatives by providing legally grounded and evidence-based content on prison reform, rehabilitation, human rights, and organized crime prevention. • Draft official documents and communications in Spanish.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in criminology, law, criminal justice, social sciences, public policy, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree (either Bachelor’s degree or an associate level) in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree. At least 10 years of relevant working experience in the field of prison reform, organized crime prevention, or related areas is required. Previous experience working with government authorities in Mexico on prison management, criminal justice reform, or organized crime issues is required. Experience with the United Nations or similar large international or regional organizations is desirable, as is experience in capacity-building and activities within prison systems or law enforcement institutions.

Languages

Proficiency (i.e., oral and written fluency) in Spanish and English is required. Knowledge of Italian is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: careers.un.org