Expert Maritime Law Enforcement

Host entity: UNODC

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Administration, Communication, advocacy, public information, Safety and security

Application deadline: 15/10/2026

Mission and objectives

For two decades, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has been helping make the world safer from drugs, organized crime, corruption and terrorism. We are committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats and promoting peace and sustainable well-being as deterrents to them.

Because the scale of these problems is often too great for states to confront alone, UNODC offers practical assistance and encourages transnational approaches to action. We do this in all regions of the world through our global programmes and network of field offices.

The Office is committed to supporting Member States in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its core. The 2030 Agenda clearly recognizes that the rule of law and fair, effective and humane justice systems, as well as health-oriented responses to drug use, are both enablers for and part of sustainable development.

Assignment context

This assignment is located in the UNODC, Border Management Branch (BMB) , Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), Indian Ocean East (IOE) team under the purview of Regional Office for South Asia (ROSA) and is based in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. The overall guidance will be provided by the Regional Representative of ROSA. Under the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator, the incumbent will assist with implementation in line with written guidelines and instructions developed by UNODC on project cycle management and project implementation. The incumbent will work in close team with other colleagues of the project in the Indian Ocean East region as well as at relevant sections of UNODC, to create synergy and achieve full coordination of project activities and effective project partnerships.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Programme Coordinator, Indian Ocean East team, BMB, UNODC, the Expert will undertake the following tasks:

• Liaise with the Navy and Coast Guard to facilitate the implementation and completion of project activities.
• Monitor and coordinate project activities in Trincomalee and Kirinda training centre.
• Design and develop a manual on Visit, Board, Search, Seizure (VBSS) best practices and boarding techniques.
• Contribute to the preparation of various written outputs, monitoring and progress reports, inputs to publications, etc, relating to maritime crime issues in the Indian Ocean East region.
• Assist in Improving communication and information-sharing among national stakeholders, implementing partners and external parties collaborating with GMCP, to implement the assigned projects.
• Provide technical support to the IOE team members in preparing and coordinating relevant meetings on project implementation and for the development of the manual; Support field missions to locations where GMCP carries out programme activities, including provision of substantive support, data collection, data analysis etc.
• Contribute with substantive support for monitoring and evaluation functions of assigned project activities.
• Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the Regional Programme Coordinator.

Skills and experience

• 15 years of experience in project management or implementation is required.
• Experience of liaising with regional/international organizations and counterparts in maritime or border management contexts is required.
• Proven report writing skills are required.
• Maritime/riverine working experience is required.
• Organizing trainings, coordinating with maritime law enforcement counterparts and previous experience working in an international environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including government stakeholders is required.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment is required.
• Experience working with service providers, venues, and suppliers within the UN system is desirable.
• Work experience in Indian Ocean East region in the field of Maritime Security is desirable.
• Experience in volunteerism is desirable.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel is desirable.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines is desirable.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Judgement and decision-making
• Leadership
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Working in Teams

Living conditions

Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the south coast of India. It’s home to an estimated population of over 21 million people. It is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi- religious country. It is a tropical country with moderate temperate and high humidity all throughout the year. The climate is fairly temperate all throughout the year but humidity is usually high. From March to April the temperature averages around 32 degrees Celsius (88 degrees Fahrenheit). The only major change in the Colombo weather occurs during the monsoon seasons from May to August and October to January when heavy rainfalls occur. Colombo is situated in the Western Province of Sri Lanka and is the commercial capital of the country. The city is located on the west coast of the island, adjacent to the administrative capital, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte. Bandaranaike International Airport is located 35km from Colombo and is served by the main international airlines. Sri Lanka currently has stable and safe living environment. Cost of living is relatively high with increased food and accommodation costs. The UN Volunteer will be based in Colombo, Sri Lanka (during the construction period, the UN Volunteer will be relocated to the field location). Colombo is the administrative centre and offers a range of accommodation, transportation, medical, banking and other services. Sri Lanka is classified as a Family Duty Station. The security level in Colombo is United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) Level 1 (Low).

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.