Jobs - 69627- Two National Consultants to Facilitate States Leve

Two National Consultants to Facilitate States Level Revision and Adoption of Laws and Policies

Location :

Abuja with Travels to other Locations as may be required, NIGERIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

19-Dec-2016

Application Deadline :

07-Dec-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 Working days each for 2 Consultants

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

60 Working days within the period of 6 Months (December 2016 - May 2017)

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the United Nations Agency entrusted with the mandate to assist Member States in their efforts against corruption, illicit drugs, crime and terrorism. As part of its mandate, UNODC has been providing technical assistance in the area of justice sector reform globally and in Nigeria specifically for several years and has built up a knowledge base of successful practices in all the areas of crime prevention and criminal justice reform, including with a strong focus on sectoral approaches to such reforms. UNODC also has strong relationships with national and international counterparts in the region and the capacity to mobilize its global network for efficient delivery of its mandate. It is therefore well placed to assist the Government of Nigeria (GoN) to improve its justice system as a necessary means of enhancing good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The European Union (EU) and the GoN have entrusted to UNODC the responsibility to implement Project NGAV18 – “Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria”. The project is currently being implemented at the Federal level and in nine (9) pilot States namely Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Imo, Osun, Katsina, Lagos and Yobe. The project’s expected outcomes include supporting the efforts of the Nigerian Government to improve justice delivery through i) Effective coordination and cooperation among justice sector institutions, with improved legal and policy framework; ii) Enhanced operational structures and capabilities of officials in the sector and; iii) Increased access to justice and respect for human rights and the rule of law, especially for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. It will also improve mechanisms for accountability and engagement of civil society with justice institutions, thereby enhancing respect for human rights and public trust in the justice system.

Several Laws and Policies have been passed under the project which require to be adopted at the state levels. The states lack the technical capacity to do this on their own so the project is providing the required expertise to ensure that the laws policies are cascaded to the State level and are of acceptable standards.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose of the assignment:

Since the passing into law of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2015, many issues relating to its effective implementation have arisen. One is the need to implement the community service sentences as provided for by the law and support States in implementing at least one activity in their action plan for justice sector reform.. There is also the long standing issue of prison congestion and the great need to come up with strategies for addressing the issue. The consultancy is designed to provide technical expertise and support to the revision and resubmission of the anti-torture bill, community service bill and prisons amendment bill as well as assist with the formatting and drafting of the States Action Plans in readiness for printing. The consultants will also support the states to implement activities relating to reduction of pretrial detention. There is also need to access the degree of implementation of the Jail Delivery System in three States (Benue, Lagos, Cross River state (eg regularity of hearings or sittings by Judges.)

.Mode of implementation of delivery (selection of cases, place of sittings including conduciveness etc),Identification of probable constraints ; Appraise whether or not measure is still desirable or appropriate in present circumstances and make suggestions towards improving the program if still found desirable.

Overall impact of the program in meeting the objective of the ACJ Laws-through collation of various data in each state

Identification and appraisal of any other existing complementary measures, in line with the ACJ laws and make recommendations on the way forward including practical suggestions and recommendations on best practices in the implementation of the ACJ BILL for speedy conclusion of trial. Organize and facilitate a chief judge’s forum on the adoption and implementation of ACJ laws, Sentencing Guidelines and the recommended Prison decongestion activities

Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant:

Under the supervision of the Project coordinator and working closely with the National Project Officer Coordination, Policy Institutions and Legislation and in direct consultation with the project team, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Support the project to organize and facilitate reform teams and other activities
Provide drafting and technical support to the States Reform teams to finalize and formally adopt their State action plan for implementation.
Assessing the degree of implementation of the Jail Delivery System in each state (eg regularity of hearings or sittings by Judges.)
Organize two workshop for relevant stakeholders to advocate for adoption and implementation of, identified, best practices in line with the ACJ laws
Organize and facilitate a chief judges forum on the adoption and implementation of ACJ laws, Sentencing Guidelines and the recommended Prison decongestion activities

Perform other related duties as required in support of project implementation.

Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s) and Schedule of Payments:

Deliverables

Output

Assessing the degree of implementation of the Jail Delivery System in each state (eg regularity of hearings or sittings by Judges.)

Number of working Days – 15 Days – Schedule of Payment – 25%

Output

Drafting and technical support provided for the and revision and finalization of six strategicAction Plans in readiness for printing, adoption and implementation by States indicating the priorities of the State with budget, time lines and expected outcome.

Number of working Days – 15 Days – Schedule of Payment – 25%

Output

Organize and facilitates two workshop for relevant stakeholders to advocate for adoption and implementation of, identified, best practices in line with the ACJ laws.

Number of working Days – 15 Days – Schedule of Payment – 25%

Output

Organize and facilitate a chief judge’s forum on the adoption and implementation of ACJ laws, Sentencing Guidelines and the recommended Prison decongestion activities

Number of working Days – 10 Days – Schedule of Payment – 16.67%

Output

Prepare and submit reports and a final report containing all the activities implemented.

Number of working Days – 5 Days – Schedule of Payment – 8.33%

Competencies

Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills in English;
Excellent expreience on issues affecting criminal justice system especially familiarity with reforms;
Strong organizational awareness,client orientation and government advisory skills;
Good drafting and reporting skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An advanced degree in law, criminology, criminal justice, international relations, public administration, public health, political or social science or related field;
A first level-University degree in related fields in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced University degree.

Experience:

At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in Prison Service or Justice Sector especially familiarity with reforms;
10 years of experience of working in the relevant area (Justice Sector Reforms, legal or research work);
Proven experience and knowledge of the Nigerian criminal justice system;
Previous experience with the United Nations System, European Union funded projects or other international organisations would be an asset;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.

Language:

Fluency in English.