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Introduction

Country:   Philippines

 

Description of the Assignment:  

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is globally recognized for its mandate to combat transnational organized crime, corruption, and terrorism, as well as to strengthen crime prevention and enhance criminal justice systems. Through a robust network of field offices, UNODC provides specialized assistance to governments on legal, criminal justice, and rule of law matters, including drugs and health, corruption, and terrorism.

In the Philippines, prison and jail infrastructure often fails to align with the actual risk levels posed by persons deprived of liberty (PDL). This misalignment leads to disproportionate security measures that increase costs and degrade the quality of life for PDLs. Additionally, jails and prisons frequently lack appropriate separation of different categories of PDLs—such as male and female individuals—posing safety and management challenges. 

Location also plays a critical role in determining the impact of incarceration on PDLs. When correctional facilities are situated in remote or unsuitable areas, PDLs become disconnected from family and community support systems, resulting in heightened feelings of isolation and an increased risk of recidivism. Moreover, the design and infrastructure often fail to consider the needs of vulnerable groups, contributing to human rights violations and inefficiencies for correctional staff. Access to basic amenities like adequate sanitation and drinking water is another vital consideration that must be addressed during the design phase. 

To address these challenges and support the Philippine government in its criminal justice reform efforts, the UNODC Programme Office in the Philippines seeks to assist the country’s two correctional bureaus (i.e., the Bureau of Corrections and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) in the development of correctional designs that comply with international standards. 

The UNODC aims to recruit a consultant who will play a key role in this initiative by leading the development of a design manual for places of detention that addresses security, services, climate change perspectives, and accessibility for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups. Additionally, the consultant will spearhead capacity-building efforts for staff involved in the planning, design, and construction of jails and prisons, ensuring that international best practices and standards are integrated into every stage of infrastructure development. 

 

Period of assignment/services (if applicable):  June 2025 to February 2026

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Architecture, Design, and/or other related disciplines.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in architecture and its related fields
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in academia, including training and research, related to architectural design is required. Special consideration will be given to candidates who have contributed to scholarly work or have held academic positions in recognized institutions.
• Experience in providing technical reviews of architectural projects for government institutions, particularly focusing on functional infrastructure is required.
• Significant experience in designing facilities for prisons, military, or security-related infrastructure is desirable.
• Previous experience working with the United Nations or other international organizations on prison-related issues, including on projects or initiatives that align with international standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules, is desirable.
• Experience working in post-conflict areas, with specific experience in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is desirable.
• Excellent English technical writing and reporting skills
• Above average conversational English and Tagalog skills

 

Proposal should be submitted directly in the portal no later than indicated deadline.

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing via messaging functionality in the portal. UNDP will respond in writing including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry.

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Documents :

Negotiation Document(s) (Before Accessing other negotiations Document(s), please click on this link)