1) A minimum of 5 cyber organized crime cases identified and collected from the region.
2) Identified cases from the region are presented during the expert group meeting.
Home-based
7 working days between 1 October 2021 and 26 November 2021.
1. Background of the assignment:
Many cyber crimes are committed with some level of organization. Digital technology is used by criminal groups to organize and to commit cyber crimes. Organized criminal groups are involved in the commission of cyber-assisted, cyber-enabled, and cyber-dependent crimes. Indeed, the problem of transnational organized crime is compounded by ever increasing global connectivity and the borderless realm of cyberspace.
While there is a growing body of research into various forms of cyber crime, there is comparatively less research into cyber organized crime. Without understanding the exact nature of the threat, States continue to struggle in containing the security threat emanating from cyber organized crime.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has developed a case digest to examine how criminal justice systems are responding to the commission of various forms of cyber organized crime, including both cyber-enabled and cyber-dependent organized crime. The case digest contains summaries of relevant judicial proceedings concerning cyber organized crime, organized according to theme. The case digest will be global in scope and will attempt, as far as possible, to have an equitable representation of cases from different geographical regions and legal systems.
To disseminate and share the key findings of the case digest in different regions and to facilitate the exchange of information and good practices, including cases, within the anglophone countries in Africa, UNODC is planning an additional desk research of cyber organized crime cases from anglophone countries in Africa. To support these efforts, an informal expert group meeting (EGM) will be held on 24-26 November 2021 (TBC) with participation of experts and practitioners from the region. The cases identified will be analysed and included in UNODC’s existing tools, among others, the UNODC’s Knowledge Management Portal known as SHERLOC (sherloc.unodc.org) and an updated version of the case digest. This assignment focuses on the research and identification of cyber organized crime cases from anglophone countries in Central and Western Africa (Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone) and participation in the expert group meeting, including through the presentation of identified cases.
The guiding principles for case selection shall be (1) representation of variety of dimensions and issues relating to cyber organized crime; and (2) representation of a variety of legal systems and countries.
2. Purpose of the assignment:
The purpose of the assignment is to collect cases from anglophone countries in Central and Western Africa, for inclusion into UNODC’s tools: 1) the updated version of the case digest of cyber organized crime cases currently being finalized by UNODC, to expand the geographic representation of examples included, 2) UNODC’s knowledge management portal SHERLOC (sherloc.unodc.org).
3. Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant:
Under the overall guidance of the OCB/CSS Chief, and the direct supervision of Ms. Riikka Puttonen, UNODC Drug Control and Crime Prevention Officer, the consultant will perform the following specific tasks:
1) Identify, access and collect a minimum of 5 relevant concluded cases on cyber organized crime from anglophone countries in Central and Western Africa (Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone);
2) Get access to the relevant court files and share them with UNODC’s team;
3) Participate in the expert group meeting on 24-26 November 2021 (TBC), possibly online, including through the presentation of identified cases.
Academic Qualifications:
An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in international law, criminal law or 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.
Experience:
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in legal research is required;
• Knowledge of organized crime is required;
• Experience in legal research with a focus on cyber crime is desirable;
• Knowledge of the region is desirable;
• Knowledge of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime is desirable;
• Experience working with international organizations is desirable.
Language:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.