Duration: Open-ended, subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance
Application period: 19-Jul-2019 to 02-Aug-2019
Pursuant to the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and Security Council resolutions 1963 (2010), 2129 (2013) and 2395 (2018), the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism/UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNOCT/UNCCT) and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) engage in dialogue with Member States and regional organizations with a view to advising them, as appropriate, on the development of comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategies. In doing so, UNOCT/UNCCT and CTED continue to cooperate closely within framework of the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Working Groups, notably as co-Chairs of its Working Group on National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies.
Based on assessment visits conducted by CTED on behalf of the Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Security Council, most national counter-terrorism strategies developed by Member States tend to focus narrowly on law enforcement measures. Although such strategies can be effective to a degree, they do not include the many other preventive measures necessary to address conditions conducive to terrorism. Terrorists are able to bypass law enforcement and employ other methods such as recruitment via the Internet and social media, which pose significant challenges to law enforcement and increases the overall threat. Therefore, national strategies should be comprehensive and integrated and seek to strengthen the resilience of the population through a balanced and multidisciplinary approach that integrates law enforcement measures and measures to address the socioeconomic, political, educational, developmental, human rights and rule of law dimensions.
Some Member States have indeed taken steps to develop these comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies and while they are in close contact with CTED and the UNOCT/UNCCT for advice, it is always preferable for the government to take the lead in managing the process. Other Member States are willing to develop comprehensive and integrated strategies but have not taken steps yet to introduce them and may therefore benefit from temporary on-site presence of a United Nations official/expert to advise them on the steps to be taken to develop a comprehensive and integrated strategy.
In order to facilitate for Member States the development of these national integrated and comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies, Member States are provided with a set of principles (the “Bogota Principles”) for their consideration. The principles are non-binding but aim at, inter alia, providing substantive and procedural guidance for Member States. The principles are available at the following website: https://www.un.org/counterterrorism/ctitf/sites/www.un.org.counterterrorism.ctitf/files/Bogota_Jan-Feb2013.pdf
These principles were developed during an International Conference on National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies on 31January and 1 February 2013, which was hosted by the Colombian Government in Bogota. The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) sponsored the organization of the conference and the organization thereof was carried out by the Working Group on National and Regional Counter-Terrorism Strategies, which is co-led by current Office on Counter-Terrorism and The Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).
Functional Responsibilities
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
As part of the project team and within the framework of Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact Working Group on National and Regional Strategies, the incumbent responsibilities will primarily include:
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Drafting a roadmap for Iraq to follow to draft a comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategy that addresses all four pillars of the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, in addition to other relevant components under Security Council resolutions 1963 (2010), 2129 (2013) and 2395 (2017). While doing so, the incumbent will have to identify what previously drafted or concluded strategies (e.g., law enforcement) were prepared by the Government, and the extent to which they could relate to the comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategies.
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Identifying a national authority and/or structure with a relatively high rank status within the Governmental which would be in charge of coordinating the process of developing the comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategy.
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Identifying, and in close consultations with CTED and UNOCT, the relevant focal point(s) within such structure.
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Developing a time table with procedures to follow and consult national, regional and international stakeholders to in the process of developing the comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy in select countries and regions.
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Engaging at the behest of the Government of Iraq with the relevant experts from non-governmental bodies, such as civil society academia, think tanks and the private sector in developing the comprehensive strategy.
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If applicable, and in close coordination with CTED and UNOCT/UNCCT, engaging with the relevant international and or sub-regional organisations.
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Preparing a draft action plan of the implementing mechanisms which takes into account the structures and mechanisms identified by CTED during its assessment of the relevant Member State.
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Seeking agreement by the relevant authorities on a follow-up mechanism following the conclusions of the initial onsite advice mission.
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Ensure that the above activities are conducted and the above outcomes are delivered in a manner consistent with the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and its subsequent review resolutions, as well as with the relevant Security Council resolutions.
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Further activities to be determined in the course of taking stock of progress made in the undertaking the above responsibilities.
Monitoring and Progress Controls
Phase I -Consultations in New York, Washington, Vienna and Brussels
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Meeting with UNOCT/UNCCT and CTED to discuss the findings and assessment of the Counter Terrorism committee (CTC) visit that led to the identification of the need to develop a comprehensive and integrated strategy.
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Getting acquainted with the terms of reference agreed upon between the UNOCT and CTC/CTED and the Member States, including the relevant United Nations Office in the field, where applicable, for advising the Member States on the development of a comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategy.
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CTED linking the UN consultant with the national counterpart in the capital within the relevant designated national authority or structure which was identified during the CTC assessment visit to be the main interlocutor with whom the UN consultant will be initially working on development a comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategy.
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Designing a roadmap for the Member State to follow to draft a comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategy that addresses all relevant components of terrorism in accordance with the United Nations Global Strategy and Security Council resolutions 1963 (2010), 2129 (2013) and 2395 (2007).
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Liaise directly with CTED and UNOCT on its assessment and findings, and identify areas in which UNOCT and CTED can politically support.
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Take stock of progress made under phase I and report to CTED and UNOCT accordingly.
Phase II – Consultations with the Government of Iraq (in Baghdad, as needed)
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Working onsite with the designated national authority or structure to assist in finalizing the design of the roadmap for developing a comprehensive and integrated strategy in light of the “Bogota Principles.”
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Agreeing with the authorities on a time table with procedures to follow and national, regional and international stakeholders to consult in the process of developing the comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy.
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Convene regular meetings with the designated national authority and/or structure in light of the aforementioned timetable for consultation so as to ensure monitoring progress made and identify challenges, if any, with a view to addressing them onsite and/or in close consultations with CTED and UNOCT.
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Ensure the engagement of the non-governmental bodies, and other relevant sectors with the governmental counter-terrorism agencies in developing the comprehensive integrated counter-terrorism strategy.
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Producing an initial draft action plan, in close consultation with the Government, for the implementation of the comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy and with the designated roles of the relevant stakeholders, including timetables for implementation and review.
Phase III - Follow up from the consultant’s domicile
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Follow up with Member States progress made on the finalization of the comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy.
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Follow with the Government of Iraq on the draft action plan for the implementation of the comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy and with the designated roles of the relevant stakeholders, including timetables for implementation and review.
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Ensure the finalization of 6 and 7 above.
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Liaising with CTED and UNOCT/UNCCT to keep them abreast of progress made and inform them of any contingencies faced with a view to enabling the HQs based address those matters, especially in light of the commitments made by the Member States during the CTC visit to the Member State.
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Phase IV- Launch event in the Baghdad and in New York upon completion of the above
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Launch event to be hosted by the UNCCT and the Government of Iraq to launch both the comprehensive and integrated counter-terrorism strategy and the implementation action plan. The event shall be organized by the consultant and attended by CTED and UNOCT/UNCCT.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
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Advanced university degree in political science, international law, international relations or other relevant field.
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Bachelor university degree in the areas above mentioned plus two (2) additional years of relevant experience may substitute the requirement of a Master Degree
Work Experience
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Minimum ten (10) years of work experience in counter-terrorism including with regard to national and regional counter-terrorism strategies and assessments.
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Judicial or legal experience in counter-terrorism, proven experience in drafting policy papers, reports and summaries on counter-terrorism or political matters, as well as proven experience in working with various Governmental officials and other relevant stakeholder.
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Counter-terrorism related knowledge and experience at the international level is required.
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Ability to resolve political and technical complex questions arising from the work on counter-terrorism, and ability to conduct research and provide timely input on policy questions.
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Experience with the relevant Security Council resolutions and the various Pillars of the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and familiarity in participation at professional workshops/conferences, are further assets.
Language
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Fluency in English (write, read, talk) is required
Contract type, level and duration
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Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement - IICA
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Contract level: I-ICA 4
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Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
