International Consultant, Search and Rescue Expert

1. SAR-JRCC coordination support plan, based on an assessment of coordination arrangements and consultations with national maritime authorities (navy, coast guard, and other relevant authorities). 2. A capacity-building programme delivered for maritime law enforcement authorities, comprising the trainings, workshops, and/or exercises conducted, their associated training materials, and a report for each. 3. Deliverable C: Technical report compiling technical notes, briefs, and recommendations on the assignment's SAR and maritime security activities, including inputs for donor reporting.

Beirut, Lebanon

1 October 2026 – 28 February 2027

In 2009, UNODC established a Counter Piracy Programme (CPP) to respond to the then new threat of piracy off the coast of Somalia. Since then, the CPP expanded into the Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) including regional teams, namely the Atlantic Ocean Team, the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea Team, the Indian Ocean West Team, the Indian Ocean East Team, the Latin America & Caribbean Team, the Mediterranean Team, and the Pacific Ocean Team. GMCP supports United Nations member states to combat maritime crime including piracy, smuggling, trafficking in persons, and trafficking of illegal substances. GMCP’s support to member states includes training of officers from maritime law enforcement agencies, the provision and maintenance of equipment, and communication and coordination initiatives between agencies and regional states to improve the exchange of good practices and strengthen the overall criminal justice chain to disrupt maritime crime. GMCP has developed a strong training component through delivering Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) training courses for maritime law enforcement (MLE) agencies that enhance technical and practical knowledge and law enforcement to combat maritime crime in line with a sound rule of law framework. In Lebanon, UNODC/GMCP is implementing a project supporting the governance, safety, and security of the country’s maritime sphere. The project works with national counterparts to strengthen search and rescue (SAR) coordination, support the operationalisation of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), and build maritime law enforcement capacity. The SAR Expert will be based in Beirut and will support the substantive implementation of the project’s maritime security activities, working closely with the project team and national counterparts. Under the direct supervision and regular liaison with the Programme Coordinator (Mediterranean Region), and in consultation with national counterparts including the navy, coast guard, and other relevant maritime authorities, the SAR Expert will deliver the following: a. Assess current SAR coordination arrangements and JRCC operational needs and produce a SAR-JRCC coordination support plan setting out concrete measures to strengthen coordination between the JRCC and national maritime authorities. b. Design and deliver a capacity-building programme of trainings, workshops, and/or exercises for maritime law enforcement authorities, including the associated training materials and a report for each training, workshop, or exercise delivered. c. Prepare a final technical report compiling technical notes, briefs, and recommendations produced over the course of the assignment, including a summary of activities and inputs for donor reporting.

An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminology, maritime studies or a related field is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum seven years of experience in maritime operations, coast guard, navy, or search and rescue coordination is required. Experience working with government counterparts, international organizations, or donor-funded projects is required. Excellent report writing skills are required. Ability to work independently and as part of a small team in a fast-paced environment is desirable. Experience in delivering training and mentoring is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the Unites Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Arabic and/or French is an is an advantage.

Not available.