UNHCR

Policing Expert

Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh Full time

Deadline for Applications

November 24, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

D

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

CONS International

Target Start Date

2025-12-01

Terms of Reference

Desired Candidate Profile
General Background of Project or Assignment:
Cox’s Bazar currently hosts approximately 1.2 million stateless Rohingya refugees, placing immense strain on local governance, policing, and justice systems. The complexity of managing security and protection in this context is further compounded by the deteriorating security situation in the camps, institutional and resource constraints in enforcing law and order, and a widespread lack of trust and confidence in the system, as frequently cited by refugees.
To address these multifaceted challenges, the Rule of Law Working Group (RoL-WG)—co-led by UNHCR, IOM, and UNDP—has been established in Cox’s Bazar. The group aims to coordinate efforts through a nexus approach that bridges humanitarian and development responses, fostering a more cohesive and sustainable framework for security, justice, and protection.
The Policing Expert will support UNHCR’s role in the RoL-WG in strengthening protection-sensitive policing systems in Cox’s Bazar. The expert will work closely with law enforcement agencies, humanitarian actors, and government stakeholders to develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), deliver targeted training, and propose strategic reforms to be considered at the national level in Dhaka.
The policing expertise is critical for UNHCR in co-leading the RoL-WG at the Cox’s Bazar level addressing practical/operational weaknesses in adapting policing and judicial systems to meet the unique needs of the refugee population, and developing systems, in collaboration with relevant authorities (e.g., Armed Police Battalion (APBn), District Police, District Court, Public Prosecutor Office), which are responsive, inclusive, and aligned with protection and human rights principles.

Overall Purpose and Scope of Assignment:
Deliverables - Timeline - Measurable Outputs
* Assessment report on current policing practices and gaps - Month 1 Comprehensive report on gaps and challenges, with key recommendations.
* Draft and finalized SOPs for protection-sensitive policing - Months 2–3 - SOPs validated through stakeholder Consultations.
* Training curriculum and delivery of training sessions - Months 3–5 - Training sessions delivered; feedback Collected.
* Policy brief outlining proposed reforms for Dhaka-level consideration - Month 5 - Policy brief submitted and presented to national stakeholders.
* Monthly progress reports and final end-of-assignment report - Ongoing; final in
Month 6 - 6 monthly reports and 1 final report submitted.

Impact Indicators (Qualitative and Quantitative Results)
• Improved alignment of policing practices with protection and human rights standards.
• Increased capacity of law enforcement personnel to engage in protection-sensitive policing.
• Enhanced coordination between humanitarian actors and law enforcement agencies.
• Greater refugee trust in law enforcement and justice systems, as measured through feedback mechanisms.
• Policy proposals to enhance the rule of law in Cox’s Bazar, in collaboration with key stakeholders, advancing the humanitarian and development nexus.

Performance Indicators
• Timeliness: All deliverables submitted according to the agreed timeline.
• Quality: Deliverables meet technical standards and are validated by stakeholders.
• Sustainability: Recommendations and reforms are adopted or piloted by relevant authorities.

Qualification and experience required (degree required, years of work experience, field of expertise, language required):
a) Advanced degree in law, criminal justice, public administration, or a related field.
b) Minimum 7 years of experience in policing, law enforcement reform, or rule of law
programming.
c) Demonstrated experience in developing SOPs and delivering training to law enforcement personnel.
d) Strong understanding of protection principles.
e) Knowledge of Bangladesh context and refugee operations is desirable.
f) Fluency in English


Monitoring and Progress Controls (report requirements, periodicity, format, deadlines):

The final product (e.g. survey completed, data collected, workshop conducted, research
documents produced specify):
• Inception report and workplan with objectives, methodology, timeline, team roles, risks, and mitigation strategies
• Assessment report on policing practices and gaps including findings from field
• assessments, stakeholder interviews, and desk review; analysis of gaps and
• recommendations.
• Monthly progress reports with summary of activities completed, challenges, mitigation actions, and next steps.
• Development of training materials and delivery of training including training agenda, facilitator guide, PowerPoint slides, handouts, and pre/post-tests.
• Final end-of-assignment report with key recommendations including summary of all activities, key findings, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations.

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance


Remote

No