Consultant - Prison and Penal Reform

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Position Title: Consultant - Prison and Penal Reform
Location: Vienna, remote
Country: Austria
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997, UNODC operates in over 150 countries and employs thousands of professionals dedicated to promoting justice, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and human rights. The organization aims to assist member states in their efforts to combat drug trafficking, organized crime, and corruption, while also promoting sustainable development and the rule of law.

Job Overview:
The Consultant for Prison and Penal Reform will play a crucial role in advancing the objectives of UNODC’s Global Programme on People-Centered Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. This position involves a combination of home-based work and travel to various countries, including Haiti, Iraq, and Ukraine, to implement comprehensive penal and prison reform initiatives. The consultant will be responsible for finalizing a handbook on climate change disruption preparedness and eco-friendly solutions in prisons, providing expert guidance for the development of a penal reform program in Haiti, and delivering training workshops in Iraq and Ukraine. The role requires a deep understanding of criminal justice systems, particularly in the context of prison management and offender rehabilitation, as well as the ability to engage with various stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of reform strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Finalizing the Handbook on climate change disruption preparedness and eco-friendly solutions in prisons by incorporating feedback from experts and facilitating consultations during the Expert Group Meeting.
• Providing expert guidance in developing a comprehensive penal and prison reform programmatic document for Haiti, which includes creating strategic plans for corrections staff deployment, establishing standard operating procedures, and developing performance reporting mechanisms.
• Delivering multiple workshops and training sessions in Iraq, focusing on enhancing the skills and knowledge of prison staff.
• Preparing and conducting a 5-day Training of Trainers (ToT) module in Ukraine, aimed at improving crisis preparedness and emergency response among prison staff.
• Conducting assessments and simulations in pilot prisons to evaluate and enhance crisis preparedness and emergency response capabilities.
• Developing a crisis-preparedness checklist document through collaborative workshops with prison officials.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in criminology, law, social sciences, business administration, or a related discipline. Alternatively, a first-level university degree in similar fields combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience in criminal justice, particularly in prison management or offender treatment, is required. Candidates should have direct involvement in developing and delivering training programs, with prior experience in workshops for criminal justice officials being highly desirable. International experience and a comprehensive understanding of crime prevention and criminal justice policies, especially in low- and middle-income countries, are essential. Strong research, drafting, coordination skills, and the ability to synthesize complex information into practical guidance are also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in criminology, law, social sciences, business administration, or a related field is mandatory. A first-level university degree in similar fields may be accepted if combined with relevant experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of criminal justice systems and the nuances of prison management.

Experience:
The position requires at least 10 years of professional experience in the field of criminal justice, with a focus on prison management and offender treatment. Candidates should have a proven track record of involvement in organizational change processes, regulatory frameworks, and the rehabilitation and social reintegration of prisoners. Experience in developing and delivering training programs for criminal justice officials and prison officers is highly desirable, as is international experience in crime prevention and criminal justice policies.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is required, along with excellent drafting and communication skills. Knowledge of French is also necessary, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Familiarity with another official United Nations language is considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based with travel requirements to various countries, including Haiti, Iraq, and Ukraine, during specified periods. The expected duration of the consultancy is from April 1, 2025, to October 31, 202

• It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.