Local Consultant

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Result of Service

• Provides substantive support to the implementation of the value chain analysis and the application of the diagnostic tool for selected CRMs to strengthen governance and transparency in the mining sector.
• Effectively and in a timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and external

Work Location

Gaborone, Botswana

Expected duration

1/1/2026-31/3/2026

Duties and Responsibilities

In recent years, the Southern Africa region has become a hub for the strategic interests of major world powers due to its vast reserves of critical minerals and precious metals. Minerals are necessary for the global green energy transition and are indispensable for key technologies such as electronic vehicles and semiconductors. The increased demand for minerals and precious metals has enabled countries to foster economic growth through the opportunities provided by the mining industry. However, as the demand for minerals grow, the risks associated with a weak and unsustainable mineral supply chain increase as well. Countries in the Southern Africa region face challenges related to sustainable resource extraction and governance and are prone to illicit activities, at small/artisanal level but also at the level of transnational organized crime. The latter is characterized by a significant degree of corruption, money laundering, and the infiltration of organized criminal groups. In areas with weak government control, organized criminal actors may find the space to enter the sector via corruption and use of violence, engage crimes in the minerals sector, often controlling the extraction process by pre-financing mining operations, extorting mining and trading companies, or by supplying the chemicals and tools for extraction. This impacts both national and regional security and stability, the rule of law, socio-economic development, human health, and the environment. Furthermore, such activities are frequently accompanied by serious human rights abuses. In this context, UNODC will support regional and national institutions in fostering transparent and sustainable mineral supply chains in the Southern African region for the green energy transition by addressing risks and vulnerabilities in the value chain and promoting the rule of law. Special emphasis will be put on critical raw materials (CRMs) due to their central role in technologies that are vital for the energy transition and Botswana as a pilot country given its expertise in the mining sector. Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for providing substantive and administrative support to the implementation of the new UNODC project A rule of law strategy to address security risks and promote responsible mineral supply chains in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with a special focus on critical materials for the green energy transition. 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant: The assignment will be carried out under the overall guidance of the Africa Coordinator of the UNODC Global Programme on Crimes that Affect the Environment (GPCAE), based in Nairobi, in cooperation with the UNODC Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSAF) and relevant UNODC experts and programmes. a. Provide regular updates on progress, including desk review findings, workshop outcomes, and operational mapping results. Support project implementation and other related endeavors, including possible travels across Botswana and the Southern Africa region. b. Coordinate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on illegal gold, sand and gravel mining, including reviewing existing materials and mapping priority sites. Support the development of a simplified EIA methodology and initial stakeholder consultations with environmental, mining and law-enforcement agencies. Assist in consolidating baseline information on environmental risks and governance gaps. c. Provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings and conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents, concept notes, information notes, presentations,

Qualifications/special Skills

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in political sciences, international relations, security studies, economics, law or related field 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.
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional work experience in research and/or policy analysis is required.
• At least 2 years of experience in project implementation/management and working with government counterparts is required.
• Experience in working with government stakeholders, civil society, international organizations, and donors in Botswana is required.
• Work experience within the United Nations system and/or in an international organization is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

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.