National Consultant (technical competence)

The project “Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and Smuggling of Migrants in South Asia” (THB- SOM in SA) falls under UNODC Regional Programme for South Asia is a joint initiative by the European Union (EU) and UNODC. As part of its efforts to support the Government of Sri Lanka, strengthen its border protection to ensure guidance on detection, identification and referral of potential trafficking and smuggling cases at border points, UNODC is seeking an National Consultant to provide technical support to achieving national accreditation, enabling the laboratory’s outputs to contribute effectively to the judicial process and strengthen investigations into human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and related crimes. The National Consultant will contribute to the following: A Training materials, training schedules, report on staff evaluation and identified personnel responsible for laboratory accreditation B Quality Manual for the relevant units of DOIE as required for accreditation C QMS procedure with the establishment of policies and objectives D Applicable formats necessary for laboratory accreditation E QMS in place, with key principles incorporated F PT and ILC reports introduced and prepared G Internal audit report prepared H MR, minutes and action plan prepared G Status Report of quality check on QMS completed H Application to SLAB submitted I Corrective actions submitted to SLAB J Training workshop for DOIE conducted H Workshop Report submitted

Home based

01 April 2026 -30 March 2027

Under the supervision of Coordinator, Technical Cooperation Asia and Iraq Teams, UNODC Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (GLOTS3) the National Consultant will be responsible for the following specific tasks: • Introducing necessary steps for laboratory accreditation, ISO 17025:2017- a formal, independent verification that a program or institution meets established quality standards and is competent to carry out specific conformity assessment tasks. Conformity assessment tasks may include, but are not limited to, testing, inspection, or certification. • Preparation of quality manual and necessary procedures applicable to work system; the governing document that defines the quality system policies and statements of intent of HIGHPOWER and is based on ISO 17025 requirements. The Quality Procedures and Test Instructions describe who, what, when, where and how quality management system and testing processes are performed. • Introducing QMS in the Border Surveillance Unit laboratory is the foundational step toward achieving ISO accreditation ensuring consistent, reliable results by standardizing operations, reducing errors, and improving patient safety. • Ensuring quality assurance establishing a formal set of policies, processes, and procedures to guide the organization by proactively identifying risks and opportunities to prevent issues rather than just reacting to them, managing activities as interrelated processes to achieve consistent, predictable results and refining processes and improve performance, as required by the ISO 9001 standard.

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in science related area 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. 10 years of development of quality management work (ISO certification) and quality infrastructure development in testing laboratories is required. Previous experience in obtaining ISO certification with national/ regional/ international organisations is required. Demonstrated experience and track record in quality management sector is required with a minimum of five (05) years of experience related to development and implementation of Quality Management Systems as per ISO 17025:2005 in the Chemical, Microbiological & Materials laboratories & ISO 9001. Demonstrated knowledge on obtaining ISO certification for Laboratory Accreditation – ISO 17025:2017, is required Drafting reports/ assessments for and work experience with international organizations is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Excellent communication and drafting skills in Sinlala and Tamil are required. Knowledge of another official United Nations Secretariat language is an advantage.

Not available.

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.