International Consultant for Laboratory Information Management System and Drafting an Open Case File for Ballistics Examination

Albania, an EU candidate country, is undertaking comprehensive reforms in many sectors, building relevant institutions and strengthening the rule of law. Such reforms respond to country priorities, regional initiatives and the compliance with EU directives and requirements as Albania aspires to adhere to the EU in the near future.

As part of such active engagement, Albania is also part of the Western Balkan initiative to abide by and implement a joint Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition.

The Roadmap was developed by the SALW commissions of the Western Balkans in the framework of the Franco-German donor coordination initiative on illicit firearms trafficking in the Western Balkans and with the technical assistance of UNDP SEESAC.  The Roadmap was finalized at the Regional meeting of SALW Commissions on 29 May 2018 in Tirana and adopted on 10 July 2018 at the 5th Western Balkans Summit in London.

The purpose of the Roadmap is to serve as a guiding and consensual document developed and owned by the countries in achieving a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW/firearms, and its ammunition, in the Western Balkans. The Roadmap envisages a comprehensive approach to SALW control from updating and harmonization of the legal frameworks, improved regional cooperation and information exchange, enhanced interoperability of intelligence-led investigations, due public awareness on the dangers of weapons, gender mainstreaming in SALW control to strengthened physical security and safety of weapons storages.

On 6 February 2019, Albania approved its new National Strategy on Small Arms, Light Weapons and Explosives Control 2019-2024 and the related Action Plan 2019-2021. The Strategy is fully referenced to the Roadmap and mirrors its performance indicators within the national context.

In the framework of and in line with the above national strategic framework, UNDP Albania, in collaboration with the Government of Albania and with support from regional funding channelled through UNDP SEESAC regional office, has developed the ASCEMIC project. The project addresses some of the immediate needs expressed by the Albanian counterparts related to enhancing the capacities of the Albanian State Police about criminal investigations. The Project will focus on some elements of criminal investigation, including strengthening crime scene investigation practice and procedures, consolidating a new custody chain of evidence and upgrading essential equipment and systems in use by the Albanian Institute of Scientific Police with a focus on CSI and ballistic sectors.

Strengthening such capacities would, in turn, increase the rate of success in identifying perpetrators and improve the performance of the entire chain of law enforcement agencies. While the proposed solutions satisfy some immediate needs, their impact is deemed critical and essential for further mid to long-term improvements.

By the end of the Project, updated Standard Operating Procedures will be adopted for the primary evidence management processes, CSI units will be equipped with basic working kits, benefit from training and being better prepared for their accreditation under ISO 17020, and the Ballistic Sector will be equipped with contemporary equipment for laboratory tests, thus substantially improving practices of firearms analysis.

The fact that these interventions are undertaken in the framework of the regional Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse, and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition, represent another obligation for Albania to make progress, sustain achievements and engage in regular reporting of the results. 

As part of this project, UNDP Albania is seeking to engage a qualified international expert, a person familiar and knowledgeable with the area of work relating to forensic evidence.

Under the general supervision of the UNDP (Programme Officer for Good Governance and Rule of Law and Project Manager for the Project in title), and in collaboration with the management and technical staff of the AISP, the Consultant will assist in:

1. Review the developed LIMS specifications.
2. Developing technical specifications for an Open Case File for Ballistic Examination
3. Assisting in the evaluation of procurement process for LIMS and Open Case File for Ballistic examination
4. Collaborating with the vendor of LIMS and Open Case File for Ballistic Examination during the software development.

A work plan should be drafted for the period of engagement, including the key tasks to be carried out and the expected completion date for each task and deliverables, and submitted to UNDP. The work plan should be a result of consultation with AISP staff; therefore, it would have bene ideal if the Consultant could come on mission to Tirana for finalizing this task. The work plan should be delivered within 10 days from the start of the assignment.

Nevertheless, given the recent global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, travel and other precautionary restrictions might make this approach difficult to take. In this situation, the Consultant is free and welcome to propose ways of overcoming this obstacle and addressing the issue of training.

Open file for Ballistic Examination

The proposed open file for Ballistic Examination , solution should come with key features that include workflow and data tracking support and data exchange interfaces. The LIMS is expected to also provide informatized resource planning by managing multiple aspects of Ballistic Examination activities related to evidence management. The solution will have to also be integrated as a module within the Laboratory Information Management System.

3 – Expected Deliverables /Outputs

1. LIMS specification review
2. Workplan for the period of engagement with the key tasks to be carried out, the timeline and key stakeholders to be consulted
3. Full technical specifications for an Open Case File for Ballistic Examination, ready for tendering the item.
4. Assisting in the evaluation of procurement process for LIMS and Open Case File for Ballistic examination.
5. Collaborating with the vendor of LIMS and Open Case File for Ballistic Examination during the software development, to ensure that all cross functional requirements are met and accounted for.

Core Values:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• Display cultural, gender, nationality, religion and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as a member of a team as well as under pressure;
• Able to identify priorities and plan/organize efficiently in line with agreed approach/framework
• Readiness to self-development, sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as ability to analyse, write, edit and conduct presentations
• Result oriented and ability to define problem areas, brainstorm solutions, and take decisions based on evidence, consultations and sound analysis

Academic Qualifications/Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in electronic engineering or forensic sciences, law, criminology or related field with a specific focus in forensics, is required.
• A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with five additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in forensic science, crime scene management, forensic chain of evidence custody.
• Previous experience in designing or adopting LIMS to similar entities such as the Albanian Forensic Lab.
• Experience in the implementation as well as capacity-building and mentoring in projects in the areas of forensic science is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in reviewing/developing Standard Operation Procedures is highly desirable
• Familiarity with the areas of criminal investigation, crime prevention, criminal justice reform as well as the political, economic and social context of country would be an asset.
• Work experience or interaction with international organizations environment would be an asset

Language skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

Evaluation of Applicants

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that considers both the technical qualifications of individuals whose offer:

• Is deemed technically responsive/compliant/acceptable (only technically responsive applications / candidates will be considered)
• And has obtained the highest combined technical and financial score

Technical Criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Criteria A: Compliant educational background – 20% or 15 points

Criteria B: Relevant work experience – 30% or 20 points

Criteria C: Experience in designing and/or adopting LIMS – 50% or 35 points

Financial Criteria – 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria will be considered for further financial evaluation.

Application procedure:

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the “Resume and Motivation” section of the electronic application.
• Latest personal Curriculum Vitae (CV) including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees, including past experience from similar projects or completed and signed UN Personal History Form (P11) for Service Contracts (SC) and Individual Contracts (IC) – Blank form Download here.
• Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability-please fill in the attached form…  www.un.org.al/sites/default/files/IC_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx
• Financial Proposal in USD – specifying a total lump sum in USD
  http://www.un.org.al/doc/Financial%20Offer%20template.doc (The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable -qualitative and quantitative- deliverables . Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount-including travel, per diems , and number of anticipated working days).
• Copy of Diplomas and copy of Passport. 

* Kindly note that Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal are two separate documents and should both be part of your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

How to Submit the Application:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

• Merge your CV or P11, Financial Proposal Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and cover letter into a single file. The system does not allow for more than one attachment to be uploaded;
• Click on the Job Title (job vacancy announcement);
• Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and then click “Submit Application;”
• Upload your application/single file as indicated above with the merged documents (underlined above);
• You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Due to a large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.