International Consultant for Forensic Centre

Background

The aim of the project is to improve the capacities of the Police Directorate in Montenegro in the entire investigative cycle and in particular to advance the custody chain in order to improve investigations of crime committed with explosives.

The project will contribute to the following Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024 Goals.
The project aims to ensure standardization of procedure and practices in the area of FAE (Firearms, ammunition and explosives) investigations and significantly reduce illicit flows of explosives info, within and beyond Western Balkans.

Since the Forensic Centre is responsible to propose and approve procedures related to the activities of crime-technicians, adopts the procedures on the methods of analyses and expertise, reports to the relevant authorities on the results, and makes the data base of statistics on the quantity and type of seized and used explosive related to various criminal offences, its importance in this process is of the utmost importance, hence, its capacities should be improved.

The project also aims to raise the expert competences, professionalism, accuracy and preciseness of the Forensic Centre Chemistry and Fires and Explosions laboratories in order to ensure that Forensic Centre can have a more significant influence on the reduction of illicit use and illicit flows of explosives in Montenegro. The expected results will be the improvement in the quality of work on the crime scene, improvement of the technical capacities and knowledge and operation of the Chemistry and Arson and explosives laboratories of the Forensic Centre and safety of people handling explosives, as well as the entire staff of the Forensic Centre.

As recognized by the Roadmap, the forensic investigations and results (forensic evidence) represent an important component in overall efforts of suppression of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and their use in committing criminal acts. Valid forensic evidence contributes to fair legal proceedings, improving the overall level of the rule of law. On the other side, relevant forensic intelligence (data), as a result of advanced forensic investigations of explosive devices and explosives, can be useful for cross-border exchange, in order to provide relevant operative information, as well as evidence, being an important contribution in international law-enforcement and judicial cooperation, to the efforts to fight transnational and organized crime.

According to the project document, plans are developed to support both crime scene and forensic laboratory investigations of explosion accidents, explosive devices, and explosive materials itself. The on-scene forensic investigation of explosive incidents is performed by the scene of crime teams within the 8 Regional Police Units in Montenegro, accompanied, in certain cases, by the explosion investigation team from the Forensic Centre. All exhibits (evidence) secured during the forensic investigation of the scene of explosion are transferred to the Forensic Centre for further analysis in different forensic laboratories.

The project is aimed to improve all components of this chain, from the procedural point of view, by proper equipping, and by appropriate trainings. These improvements will contribute to the enhancing of the level of overall quality of work and of results, which will provide conditions for ISO 17025 accreditation of new laboratory methods related to forensic investigation of explosives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the assignment: 

The objective of the assignment is to produce the analysis and the needs assessment of the procedures and capacities in Forensic centre in handling evidence related to crime committed with explosives.

The purpose of assignment is the investigation of the current state of play in the field of explosions/explosives and forensic lab investigation, and identification of gaps and shortfalls.

Job content:

Under direct supervision of the respective UNDP Programme Manager and in the consultation with the beneficiaries the Ministry, the consultant will:

  • analyse current standard operating procedures used by the Forensic Centre and propose suggestions for their revisions or drafting new one in the field where they don’t exist
  • analyse and inspect the equipment available in the Forensic Centre, inspect their state and propose suggestions for its upgrade, where needed

The expected results: It is expected from the consultant to coordinate and deliver above mentioned tasks, in order to identify gaps and shortfalls in the current process of forensic investigating of explosion incidents and other explosive-related crimes in Montenegro, regarding procedures, field and laboratory methodologies, staff training, and equipment. The consultant shall provide recommendations for filling the gaps and overcoming the shortfalls, in terms of further in-depth development of the activities planned within the project. The assignment should be carried out in form of a desk research and gap analysis. In order to investigate in detail the state of play within the relevant field, the consultant should come to Montenegro and carry out a two-day fact-finding working visit to the Forensic Centre in Danilovgrad. During this visit he shall meet the management of the Forensic Center, as well as the forensic relevant experts for the crime scene investigation, for field investigation of explosive incidents, and for laboratory investigation of explosive devices and materials. Based on information received during this visit, he shall conduct further desk-analysis and come up with a detailed report with conclusions and recommendations, as described above.

Timing and reporting:

1. Two-days working visit to the Forensic Center in Danilovgrad during the week 10
(between 20th and 25th of March 2021).

2. Baseline desk research and gap analysis in the area of crime scene and forensic laboratory investigations of explosion incidents and explosives within the Police Directorate/Forensic Center of Montenegro (by 10th of April 2021).

3. Final consolidated report (by 10th of April 2021.)

Time duration and travel: The Consultant will be engaged during the period from 20 March 2021 until 15 April 2021 (10 consultancy days). All travel costs should be included in the lump sum.

Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
  • Fluency in English and Montenegrin (BCMS) language is a requirement.
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills.
  • Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • University degree in relevant technical studies.

Experience:

  • Minimum 10 years of experience in the law enforcement sector.
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in the field of arson and explosion investigations.
  • Excellent understanding of the forensic police procedures.
  • Experience related to ISO 17025 accreditation.
  • Experience in writing reports, presentations, and similar documents.
  • Familiarity with UNDP`s mandate and the human development concept.
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate complex and sensitive discussions and group work.

Criteria for selection:

Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

  • Technical criteria weight – 70% (Background and education 10%; Relevant previous experience 20%; Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%; Required language 10%);
  • Financial criteria weight – 30%.

Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation. For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by March 4, 2021 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain CV or P11 that can be downloaded at https://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/jobs.html. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work envisaged in the section “Description of Responsibilities”.

To help us with our recruitment effort, please indicate in your cover/motivation letter where (ngotenders.net) you saw this job posting.

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