ThaiNGO

Statement of Work

Support Consultant

ASEAN CWT Law Enforcement Agency Mapping Exercise

Program - USAID Wildlife Asia

USAID Wildlife Asia seeks to significantly reduce wildlife crime in Southeast Asia and China by employing a comprehensive regional cooperation approach. Specifically, Wildlife Asia will (i) Reduce consumer demand for wildlife and wildlife products in target areas; (ii) Strengthen regional law enforcement capacity and coordination; (iii) Increase commitment to addressing counter wildlife trafficking (CWT); and, (iv) Support the USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia’s (RDMA’s) coordination of regional CWT stakeholders and efforts to strengthen the US Government (USG) interagency CWT initiatives.

USAID Wildlife Asia is based in Bangkok, Thailand and the geographic scope includes all ASEAN countries, with a focus on the Lower Mekong (Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia) and China. The species of primary interest are elephants (ivory), pangolins, rhinos (rhino horn), and Asian big cats. The project will soon begin its fifth and final year of implementation.

Background

As part of its work under the law enforcement component of the program, USAID Wildlife Asia has been working with a number of partners and counterpart agencies to develop, deliver, promote and institutionalize the Counter Transnational Organized Crime training (CTOC) course. ASEANAPOL has recently emerged as a key ally in this regard including helping to launch the CTOC training package in October 2020. They also recently expressed interest in co-hosting a virtual CWT Executive Leadership Consultation Meeting which is an event that aims to demonstrate the utility of a multi-agency and multinational approach to countering wildlife trafficking in order to garner support for these critical networks at a higher operational level, and for this to filter up into needed legislative and policy changes which prioritize counter wildlife trafficking efforts. To support this event, ASEANAPOL has requested the preparation of a report which identifies and outlines the roles and responsibilities of current agencies involved in Counter Wildlife Trafficking (CWT) law enforcement efforts across ASEAN including the status of national WENs.

Position Summary

In response to this request, USAID Wildlife Asia has teamed-up with UNODC to recruit a team of two consultants (one lead and one support consultant) to undertake a ‘mapping’ of the current agencies involved in CWT law enforcement efforts across ASEAN including the status of national WENs. This Statement of Work refers to the work associated with the role of the Support Consultant.

The assignment will largely be a desk-based study, but is expected to include virtual interviews and, where feasible, in-person meetings with relevant law enforcement agencies across ASEAN. USAID Wildlife Asia is looking for the Support Consultant to begin in early January. The level of effort is expected not to exceed 10 days.

The Support Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Lead Consultant being recruited by UNODC and report to USAID Wildlife Asia’s Senior Technical Advisor, as well as coordinate and communicate with appointed UNODC representatives as needed.

The report is expected to be developed in a manner that allows the information to be easily accessible by including, where appropriate, the use of tables, diagrams, and relevant graphics and illustrations.

Key Tasks

• Support the Lead Consultant prepare a spreadsheet that documents all the people and agencies contacted so that the USAID Wildlife Asia and UNODC can follow-up as needed.
  • This should include name, designation, title, agency and contact details such as phone and email.
• Help prepare a strategy for the collection of information.
• Assist the Lead Consultant identify, compile, collate, review and analyze relevant literature.
• Help identify potential law enforcement agency representatives to interview and assist with the setting-up and conducting of these virtual and/or in-person meetings.
• Provide support in developing graphs, charts, and tables as well as source appropriate photos for use in the report.
• Review and help edit the draft report prepared by the Lead Consultant.
• Assist the lead Consultant address feedback as needed to finalize the report for submission.

Report Structure

The report is expected to be broken down by country and structured as follows:

• Overview of the illegal wildlife trade including issues, challenges and opportunities
• Brief overview of the legal framework related to CWT
• Description of each of the government agencies involved in CWT
  • Roles and responsibilities including whether they play a lead or supporting role in a CWT related investigation and what the relationship is between the agencies during an investigation
• Description of existing national level interagency coordination mechanisms including mandate and specific roles and responsibilities
  • National WENs
  • CWT Committees
  • Other?
• Description of existing international cooperation platforms and mechanisms including mandate and specific roles and responsibilities
  • SOMTC
  • Working group on CITES and Wildlife Enforcement
  • ASEANAPOL
  • INTERPOL
  • World Customs Organization
  • Other?
• Conclusion

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor and/or Master’s degree in a field related to transnational organized crime, biodiversity conservation and/or development.
• Minimum 12 years of experience in donor-funded programs preferably focusing CWT law enforcement capacity building initiatives and support to law enforcement efforts in ASEAN more generally.
• Knowledge and working experience with a broad range of conservation stakeholders in the region.
• Experience supporting USAID programs helpful.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Capacity to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Fluent in English written and verbal communication skills and skills in other regional languages an advantage.
• Able to work effectively with the Microsoft office suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• A passion for protecting the environment and safeguarding biodiversity important.

Qualified candidates are invited to apply by submitting their CV to hr@usaidwildlifeasia.org Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.