BACKGROUND The Contact Group on Sulu and Celebes Seas is a trilateral mechanism bringing together maritime law enforcement agencies from The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Contact Group aims to strengthen cooperation and response to maritime threats in the Sulu and Celebes Seas which include kidnap-for-ransom and facilitation of terrorism support activity. The Contact Group has established a Working Group and have identified several areas for collaborative engagement. The Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supports the Contact Group as the Secretariat and supports the implementation of recommendations within the mandate of UNODC. In October 2020, GMCP virtually convened the fourth iteration of the Contact Group meeting to map and respond to maritime crime in the Sulu and Celebes Seas. The meeting brought together key maritime law enforcement actors from Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines as well as other relevant national agencies, foreign missions, international organizations, academics, civil society and private sector actors to capture a comprehensive and shared understanding of maritime crime trends, threats and responses in the Sulu and Celebes seas. The meeting concluded by identifying a list of four (4) proposed action items to address some of the major challenges identified. In particular, GMCP is supporting key recommendations of the Contact Group, including the following: - to pilot the installation of a digitalized vessel identification system on maritime craft in the Sulu and Celebes Seas linked to the PCG vessel and crew registration database;
- Conduct of a Trilateral Coast Guard Regional Commanders Meeting (3SuluX); and
- Conduct of Virtual Tabletop Exercise based on Sulu Sea Scenario.
Along with the implementation of these action items are continuous discussions on ways forward based on emerging issues in the region. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT The UNODC seeks a consultant to provide substantive direction, guidance and strengthen trilateral cooperation on maritime law enforcement efforts around issues impacting the Sulu and Celebes Sea region facilitated by the Contact Group. The consultant shall moderate and support the overall coordination of the Contact Group Plenary and the quarterly Trilateral Coast Guard Regional Commanders Meeting. The Consultant shall likewise provide support in the activities under the Contact Group framework, such as assisting in the exploratory meetings on the proposed Contact Group agenda. The consultant shall work closely with the GMCP Team, in particular, UNODC National Programme Officers (Maritime Crime) in Manila and Jakarta, and UNODC/GMCP Focal Point for Malaysia, and Programme Assistant supporting the Contact Group activities. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT The consultant will perform its work under the supervision and report directly to the Regional Programme Coordinator of Southeast Asia and the Pacific of the Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC. The consultant will work closely with the GMCP Team, in particular, UNODC National Programme Officers (Global Maritime Crime Programme) in Manila and Jakarta, UNODC/GMCP Focal Point for Malaysia, and Programme Assistant supporting the Contact Group activities. Expected tangible and measurable outputs Deliverable A – Completed concluding report of 5th Contact Group Plenary and quarterly 3SuluX meeting - Deliverable B – Completed concluding report of the 6th Contact Group Plenary and quarterly 3SuluX meeting
Duty Station: Manila, Philippines The consultant will be home based during this consultancy. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work and travel of the Individual consultant shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the local and national government. Field work, meetings, and coordination shall be done in compliance with community quarantine policies. Duration of work: 35 working days from August to November 2021 (schedule of report submissions and other related documents is as indicated in the Expected Outputs and Deliverables clause). Regular updating/reporting to the designated coordinator assigned for the particular project is as stated above. Travel: UNODC will cover the costs related to travel, including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses in cases when necessary travel is required. Note: It is understood that the consultant would not hold UNODC responsible for any unforeseen or untoward incident during the duration of the consultancy service. It is recommended that the consultant secure his/her own insurance coverage during the conduct of the consultancy. The IC will report to UNODC the progress of the tasks agreed upon and closely consult with UNODC in carrying out the assignments. SCOPE OF PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS - The Contractor should send the financial proposal based on a lump-sum amount for the delivery of the outputs identified below. The total amount quoted shall be “all-inclusive” (daily professional fees X number of person-days, communications, transportation, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor should be factored into the final amount submitted in the proposal. Travel, as deemed relevant by UNDP and compliant with government guidelines on community quarantine, will be arranged and paid for by UNDP and should not be included in the financial proposal.
- Medical/health insurance must be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense, and upon award of contract, the Contractor must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.
- The contract price will be a fixed output-based price. Any deviations from the output and timeline will be agreed upon between the Contractor and UNDP.
Payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the delivery by target due dates. Prior to the release of payments, outputs will be certified by the Regional Programme Coordinator of Southeast Asia and the Pacific of the Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC. Deliverables | Target Date | Fee Basis / Percentage | Submission of concluding report on the 5th Contact Group and 2nd 3SuluX meeting, with summary of proposed activities and recommendations | 27 August 2021 | 50% | Submission of minutes of the meeting for 6th Contact Group and 3rd 3SuluX meeting, with summary of proposed activities and recommendations Both reports need to be cleared by UNODC (Note: UNODC clearance may take up about 2-4 weeks after submission) | 25 November 2021 | 50% |
Note: If duty travels are expected/needed, UNODC will cover the cost of the airfare/accommodation. However, no DSA is to be provided. UNODC will make all the travel arrangements as necessary. | 
