Local Consultant to undertake technical support for the PLEAD II project in Kenya

Result of ServiceExpected work outputs i. Background research conducted and technical support provided in the successful development and review of the Judiciary Complaints Management System (JCMS). ii. Research and data collection undertaken to inform justice sector audits, identify barriers to diversion, and enhance community-based child protection and rehabilitation programmes. iii. Stakeholder consultations coordinated and fieldwork conducted across multiple justice sector initiatives, including diversion, aftercare, and criminal justice audits. iv. Policies, curricula, and training materials reviewed to ensure alignment with best practices in child protection, aftercare, and community-based rehabilitation. v. Monitoring and assessment supported through active participation in justice sector audits and evaluations of diversion practices in courts. vi. Community-based services mapped and needs assessments conducted to strengthen protection mechanisms for children and rehabilitation pathways for offenders. vii. Workshops, trainings, and meetings successfully coordinated under PLEAD-funded engagements across key justice sector institutions. Work LocationNairobi, Kenya Expected duration18 August - 31 December 2025 Duties and Responsibilities1. Background of the assignment: As the global guardian of the United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, UNODC is mandated to support Member States in upholding the rule of law, promoting crime prevention and effective, fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems. Within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for Eastern Africa (2016-2021), and in close cooperation with the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East at UNODC headquarters, the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme of ROEA seeks to implement these objectives through support to major justice reforms processes undertaken by East African States. The Overall Objective of the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid delivery is to reinforce the rule of law, improve access to justice, increase efficiency and accountability in the justice system, and use of technology as an enabler of justice. In line with the priorities of the criminal justice system and the Government of Kenya, the overall objective is to be realized under the outcomes of enhancing the capacity of the criminal justice system to fight corruption (outcome 1); strengthened administration of justice through improved coordination of the justice sector, greater application of non-custodial measures and use of alternative justice mechanisms systems (AJS), with an emphasis on vulnerable and at risk groups (outcome 2); increased competence, capacity and efficiency in the criminal justice system (outcome 3); and enhancing access to legal aid, especially for the poor and vulnerable (outcome 4). Each of the above outcome are interlinked and complement each other. PLEAD II will address capacity needs and persistent bottlenecks affecting service delivery in the justice sector. Advancing digitalization to streamline the administration of justice and countering corruption will be central elements as the partners seek to improve access to justice for all Kenyans, including those at risk of exclusion and marginalization. The PLEAD component implemented by UNODC targets support to the following institutions in the justice chain (national partners): 1. The Judiciary 2. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) 3. Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS) 4. The Witness Protection Agency (WPA) 5. The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) 6. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC 7. National Police Service (NPS) 8. Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) 9. Directorate of Children Services (DCS). 2. Purpose of the assignment: The purpose of the assignment is to provide technical support at the policy and activity level to Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS), the Directorate of Children Services (DCS), The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), and The Judiciary. This will focus on activities supported by PLEAD II and coordination with other relevant actors while ensuring mutual complementary of the activities of the actors to align implementation of the objectives of the PLEAD project and the Regional Programme for Eastern Africa. In addition, the consultant will provide substantive contribution in the area of programme management and implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation for the implementation of the PLEAD project. The consultant shall also provide technical support for other relevant crime prevention and criminal justice projects as needed. 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the Consultant The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme UNODC ROEA, direct supervision of the Programme Manager in coordination with the Programme officers and the relevant lead consultants perform the following substantive duties and responsibilities: a) Provide input to expediting diversion uptake through understanding barriers and impediments to its effective implementation for ODPP In working towards alternative justice mechanisms, the consultant’s work will include but not be limited to: i. Research and data collection to identify bottlenecks and impediments to diversion ii. Coordination of stakeholder consultation and data collection iii. Support in assessment of diversion practices in various courts b) Work with ODPP to strengthen understanding and accelerate application of diversion and plea bargaining, including standardized reporting by Prosecutors The tasks that the consultant will work on shall include but not be limited to: i. Background research to support in the development of the online training module ii. Review of the draft online training module for prosecutors to enhance application and reporting of diversion and plea bargaining iii. Providing any other support as may be required c) Work with the Kenya Prisons Service in the development of a Welfare and Disability Policy The tasks that the consultant will work on shall include but not be limited to: i. Background desktop research and data collection ii. Review and provision of technical input on the draft developed policy iii. Support drafting and validation sessions with the national partners. d) Provide input to the criminal justice sector audit with NCAJ The consultant will work closely with the National Council on the Administration of Justice and the expert consultant in the following areas: i. Participate in fieldwork for review and monitoring of the criminal justice sector ii. Coordination of stakeholder consultations and data collection iii. Providing any other support as may be required e) Work with DCS to enhance child protection and care through community-based approach This shall include but not be limited to: i. Carry out literature review of the existing information on community-based social service programmes to supplement the technical expert’s work. The desk research shall also review the legislation, policies, programmes and international instruments with a bearing on diversion, alternative justice systems (AJS), restorative justice, rehabilitation and reintegration of children in conflict with the law and those vulnerable and at-risk. Policies and programmes to be considered are, but not limited to: Education, health, social protection, awareness raising and capacity building. ii. Provide support to the technical expert during Technical Working Groups by drafting outcome reports for the sessions. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university (Master or equivalent) degree in law, legal studies, criminal justice or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. • A minimum of two years of relevant working experience in crime prevention and criminal justice, human rights and/or related fields is required. • Experience working with the United Nations, or a similar international organization, is desirable. • Experience working with Criminal Justice Agencies including the Directorate of Children Services, National Council on the Administration of Justice and the Judiciary of Kenya is highly desirable. • Experience working with EU funded projects is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations Secretariat languages is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.