Small arms and light weapons (SALW) trafficking via air

European Union Council Decision

Small arms and light weapons (SALW) trafficking via air

Background

In November 2010, European Union (EU) member state ministers adopted an EU Council Decision within the framework of the EU's Common Foreign & Security Policy (CFSP) relating to arms trafficking via air. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is responsible for the implementation of this Decision. The technical implementation of the projects contained within the Council Decision are being implemented by the Stockholm International Peace and Research Institute (SIPRI) through its Countering Illicit Trafficking - Mechanism Assessment Projects (CIT-MAP). SIPRI is performing these tasks under the responsibility of the High Representative, in conjunction with the relevant EU services, institutions and member states over a 24 month period. The projects will involve a range of staff and personnel from a variety of multilateral and regional organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as well as subsidiary bodies and member states.

Results

The projects will strengthen the ability of relevant crisis management missions, international and third countries' national authorities, and EU member states, to monitor the activities of air cargo actors suspected of SALW trafficking via air. The projects will provide tools and pilot systems necessary to increase the number of interdictions of suspected illicit SALW shipments shipped via air. The projects will increase the ability of EU member states to securely share information on air cargo actors. The projects will increase awareness on the part of personnel serving in multi-lateral organizations, missions and states of ìbest practicesî in the areas of monitoring, detection and risk management analysis against air cargo carriers suspected of SALW trafficking via air and other destabilizing commodity flows. The projects will contribute to the standardization of best practices in this field through the publication and dissemination of a manual on monitoring, detection and risk management analysis techniques. The projects will pilot the establishment of best practices of information coordination through training and outreach activities for personnel working for specific departments or cells within multi-lateral organizations, missions or states.

Consultancy positions

As part of the implementation process, SIPRI is recruiting a number of consultants. The consultancy positions are available covering the following areas:

1. Monitoring and flight profiling

2. Brokering and company ownership analysis

3. Global tracking of aircraft and other assets

4. Identification and detection techniques ( 2 consultancies)

Competencies

- Demonstrate excellent analytic and problem-solving skills in the relevant fields

- Ability to manage multiple tasks, set deadlines and plan work independently;

- Ability to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary environment;

- Set clear priorities and be able to meet key deadlines under pressure;

- Ability to synthesize and summarize complex information;

Required Skills and Experience

(a) At least ten years experience in relevant civil aviation field

(b) At least five years experience of monitoring networks and entities involved in arms trafficking or other destabilizing commodity flows via air

(c) Proven experience within EU institutions or EU-supported multilateral or inter-governmental organizations tasked with (a) or (b)

For further information on the available consultancies, please submit a CV together with a letter of interest to griffiths@sipri.org