National Consultant – Technical Support for Crime Prevention & Justice Interventions under PLEAD II, Kenya

Result of Servicea) Comprehensive literature review report on child labour drafted and submitted, incorporating a review of national policies, legislation, and institutional frameworks, for submission to the technical expert/contracted institution and the Department of Children Services (DCS). b) Outcome reports from Technical Working Group (TWG) sessions on child labour prepared and submitted to DCS, following sessions conducted under the guidance of the established TWG. c) Comprehensive literature review report on digitalization of probation services drafted and submitted, including international best practices and their applicability to the Kenyan context, for submission to the technical expert and Probation and Aftercare Services (PACS) to inform ICT policy development. d) Outcome reports from TWG sessions on ICT policy development compiled and submitted to PACS, based on sessions conducted to support the digitalization policy framework. e) Comprehensive literature review report on the protection and care of Children of Imprisoned Parents (CoIPs) drafted and submitted, integrating international best practices, to inform finalization of the CoIPs guidelines for DCS. f) Outcome reports from TWG sessions on the finalization of CoIPs guidelines prepared and submitted to DCS. g) Comprehensive literature review report on the management of halfway homes across various jurisdictions drafted and submitted to the technical expert and PACS, with recommendations to inform policy development. h) Outcome reports from TWG sessions on halfway homes policy development compiled and submitted to PACS. i) Preliminary training needs assessment report drafted and submitted to DCS, including stakeholder engagement findings and a review of related training materials, to inform the development of the Violence Against Children Curriculum and Manual for community health promoters and child protection volunteers. j) Preliminary research report on the management of first-time, petty, and other special categories of offenders drafted and submitted, and outcome reports from TWG sessions on SOP formulation compiled and submitted to DCS. Work LocationNairobi, Kenya with travel within PLEAD focal counties Expected duration120 Working Days; 25 August 2025 - 31 March 2026 Duties and Responsibilities1. Background of the assignment: UNODC is the custodian of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. In Eastern Africa, UNODC provides tailored technical assistance to support implementation of the Convention and related mandates on economic fraud and identity-related crime. This includes legislative and policy support, capacity building, and assistance to national institutions in executing anti-corruption projects. Through its regional office, UNODC has developed extensive expertise in anti-corruption efforts and continues to work closely with Member States to strengthen institutional responses. As the global guardian of UN standards in crime prevention and criminal justice, UNODC supports Member States in upholding the rule of law and developing fair, humane, and accountable justice systems. Within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for Eastern Africa (2016–2025), and in collaboration with its headquarters, the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme in the region assists countries in advancing major justice sector reforms, with a strong focus on transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity. The Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery (PLEAD II) aims to enhance access to justice, reinforce the rule of law, and improve justice sector performance in Kenya. It focuses on four key outcomes: strengthening anti-corruption capacity, improving justice sector coordination and use of alternative justice mechanisms, increasing efficiency and competence in the justice system, and expanding access to legal aid for vulnerable populations. PLEAD II also emphasizes digitalization and innovation to overcome persistent service delivery challenges and ensure justice is accessible to all, especially marginalized groups. 2. Purpose of the assignment: The purpose of the assignment is to provide technical expertise at the policy and activity level towards the implementation of interventions targeting crime prevention and criminal justice. This will focus on activities supported by PLEAD II and engagement 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 and provide technical support for other relevant crime prevention and criminal justice projects as needed. a) Work with the Directorate of Children Services (DCS) to provide technical expertise to facilitate a Child Labour Study to strengthen prevention mechanisms of child labour. The consultant will work closely with the Directorate of Children Services (DCS) and the expert consultant in achieving the following: i. Conducting background research on the prevalence, trends, and contributing factors of child labour in select regions in Kenya; ii. Mapping and engaging key informants, including children, caregivers, actors in the informal labour sector, teachers, childcare experts; and, iii. Providing support to the technical expert or contracted institution during Technical Working Groups by drafting outcome reports for the sessions. b) Collaborate with the Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS) to provide technical expertise to facilitate the development of an ICT Policy. The consultant will work closely with the Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS) and the expert consultant in achieving the following: i. Researching on international best practices in probation digitalisation to inform the policy; ii. Mapping of current manual data processes, identify gaps, and inform system integration; iii. Assessing PACS’ technical mandate and collaboration with justice sector actors including to inform data-sharing and automation efforts; and, iv. Providing support to the technical expert during Technical Working Groups by drafting outcome reports for the sessions. c) Work with the Directorate of Children Services (DCS) in developing guidelines strengthening child centered protection and care of Children of Imprisoned Parents (CoIPs). The consultant will work closely with the Directorate of Children Services and the expert consultant to achieve the following: i. Conducting a desk review of national and international frameworks, best practices on the care and protection of Children of Imprisoned Parents (CoIPs); ii. Engaging with children of incarcerated parents and caregivers through correctional facilities and children’s institutions to document the experiences and needs of children affected by parental imprisonment and analysing feedback; and, iii. Providing support to the technical expert during Technical Working Groups by drafting outcome reports for the sessions. d) Collaborate with the Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS) to provide technical expertise to inform the development of a policy and guidelines on halfway houses. The consultant will work closely with PACS and the expert consultant in achieving the following: i. Background research and mapping of PACS stakeholders, and international good practice on aftercare programmes; ii. Review of the halfway houses policy and guidelines; iii. Review of the developed online assessment tools; and, iv. Providing support to the technical expert during Technical Working Groups by drafting outcome reports for the sessions. e) Work with the Directorate of Children to facilitate a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) to inform the development of a curriculum and manual on violence against children. The consultant will work closely with PACS and the lead curriculum developer to achieve the following: i. Review existing training materials, reports, and capacity assessments of Community Health Promoters and Child Protection Volunteers; and, ii. Background research and review of the developed curriculum and manual. iii. Providing support to the technical expert during Technical Working Groups by drafting outcome reports for the sessions. f) Engage with Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) to develop SOPs on the Management of First Time, Petty and Other Special Categories of Offenders Formulation. The consultant will work closely with the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and the expert consultant in achieving the following: i. Conducting background research on national and international approaches for managing first-time and petty offenders in correctional settings; ii. Coordinating stakeholder consultation engagement for data collection; iii. Support drafting and validation sessions with the national partners. 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 EU funded projects is required. • Experience working with the United Nations, or a similar international organization, is desirable. • Experience working with Children Services and/or Probation and Aftercare Service is highly desirable. • Experience in data visualization, particularly using Microsoft Power BI and Excel is desirable. 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.