Consultant on Fraudulent Medicine in East Asia and the Pacific (Re-advertised)

1) GENERAL BACKGROUND


The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is producing a report on transnational organized crime (TOC) threats in East Asia and the Pacific (TOCTA EAP). The report aims to describe the scope and magnitude of TOC activities in the region in order to inform more effective policy responses. In this report, a chapter will be allotted to the topic of fraudulent medicine produced in China and trafficked to East Asia and the Pacific. UNODC requires the assistance of an expert on this topic to gather and interpret the information needed to make an assessment of this threat.


2) OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT


The purpose of the consultancy is to gather data, conduct interviews and compile a report on the nature and extent of production of fraudulent medicine in China and trafficking of such goods to markets in Asia and the Pacific.



3) SCOPE OF WORK


The output will be a written report that will provide the basis for a chapter on the nature and extent of production of fraudulent medicine in China and trafficking of such goods to markets in Asia and the Pacific, which will be written by the Lead Researcher at the UNODC RCEAP in Bangkok.

Case studies of documented cases and seizure data should be used where appropriate. Journalistic sources should be used only to document events of public record, such as statements of officials. Reference to confidential informants should be avoided. Unpublished documents should be quoted only where copies of the original can be annexed. Quantitative data should come only from official sources or peer-reviewed studies, although quantitative estimates can be referenced to established experts or authorities who are willing to be cited.


4) DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION AND EXPECTED PLACES OF TRAVEL


40 work days between December 2011 to January 2012.
The consultant will work from home, covering his/her own costs. He/she will work under the overall managerial supervision of the Lead Researcher in the UNODC RCEAP.


5) FINAL PRODUCTS


The output will be a written report that will provide the basis for a chapter on the nature and extent of production of fraudulent medicine in China and trafficking of such goods to markets in Asia and the Pacific, which will be written by the Lead Researcher at the UNODC RCEAP in Bangkok.

The report should be delivered by e-mail in English in Word format on the specified date. The consultant will submit weekly progress reports by e-mail.

The report written by the consultant will not be published independently, though it may be circulated internally. It will be used to inform a chapter on production and trafficking of fraudulent medicine for the TOCTA EAP.


6) PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS


All the outputs should meet the satisfaction of UNODC according to the following indicators:

• Quality of the report produced
• Technical competence
• Timeliness of the delivery


7) DEGREE OF EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS


• Advanced university degree in social sciences, economics or related field
• Minimum of three years of research/investigation experience related to production and trafficking of counterfeit goods in Asia.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Excellent interview and information gathering skills.
• Computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Word.
• Knowledge of Chinese or other Asian languages would be considered an asset.
• Previous work experience with international organizations would be considered an asset.

8) HOW TO APPLY


Interested applicants should submit the following documents:

(a) Letter of interest - not exceeding one page - clearly stating suitability for the position and consultancy fee.

(b) UN Personal History Form (can be downloaded from http://www.unodc.org/eastasiaandpacific/en/who-we-are/work-opportunities.html) and detailed curriculum vitae based on the criteria stated above.

Please submit the application by e-mail to: .
Application deadline is 17 November 2011.

Note:

(a) Please clearly indicate the position you are applying for.
(b) Failure to submit supporting documents as specified in the announcement will result in
an incomplete application. Applicants who submit incomplete applications will NOT
be considered.
(c) Applicants employed as a civil servant or government official, whose applications are successful, will be required to provide a letter from their employer indicating no objection to paid employment with UNODC for a period of unpaid leave from current employer.


Due to the volume of applications, only candidates under positive consideration will be notified.

Date of issuance: 11 November 2011