The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

A significant body of academic research and public policy reporting shows Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) poses a significant and evolving threat to security, governance, and economic stability in East and Southern Africa. The interconnected nature of criminal networks and their illicit activities—such as drug and human trafficking, wildlife smuggling, and money laundering—erodes the rule of law and can threaten U.S. national security and U.S. business interests in the region.  To design programs to counter TOC, there is a critical need for deeper understanding of TOC dynamics and specific information regarding the Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) operating in the region.

The position reports to the Project Manager.

The goal is to define and analyze the current TOC landscape in the East and Southern Africa region.  

Functional Responsibilities;

The consultant will be responsible for the following key objectives:

1. Conduct a deep-dive research assessment to define and analyze the current state of Transnational Organized Crime in East and Southern Africa.  The assessment should leverage open-source information to identify specific transnational criminal organizations operating in the region, illicit activities being undertaken by these organizations, transit patterns of illicit activities,  financial flows from these activities, connections between criminal organizations, and how these organizations may or are threatening U.S. national security interests, U.S. business interests, or U.S. citizen security.  When possible, specific case information should be provided.

2. Write a comprehensive report for INL that outlines key findings, identifies trends, and provides strategic recommendations for future U.S. foreign assistance programming.

3. Develop an agenda for  a two-day workshop for participants from our East Africa Transnational Organized Crime (EATOC) partner countries, including investigators, prosecutors and judges, to present and discuss the research findings.

Deliverables;

The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

1. Research Plan:  A detailed plan outlining the research methodology, scope, and timeline.

2. Research Report:  A comprehensive, evidence-based report (approximately 30-40 pages) detailing the nature of TOC in East and Southern Africa.  The report must include an executive summary, an analysis of key trends and actors, with specific transnational criminal organizations and actionable recommendations and be written for INL as the audience.

3. Infographic:  A professionally designed one-page infographic summarizing the key findings and trends from the research report in a visually engaging and easily shareable format.

4. Draft Conference Agenda:  A draft agenda for a two-day conference to present and discuss research findings with EATOC countries at a future date.

Project Timeline

The project is expected to be completed within a maximum of three (3) months from the time the agreement is signed.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Criminology, International Relations, Political Science, or Law with 7 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Criminology, International Relations, Political Science, or Law with 5 years of relevant experience is required.

Required

• 7+ years of experience in conducting research and providing expert analysis on issues related to Transnational Organised Crime (TOC) is required.

• Demonstrated expertise in East and Southern African security issues, with a strong understanding of regional criminal networks, illicit trade routes, and governance challenges is required.

• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and present it clearly is required.

• Superior written and oral English communication skills, with a track record of producing high-quality reports and presentations is required.

Desired

• Proven experience in organizing and facilitating workshops for international and regional audiences is desirable.

• Experience working with international partners, preferably with agencies such as International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), or other governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in counter-TOC efforts is desirable.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.