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POSITION : National Consultant to Facilitate States Level Revision and Adoption of Laws and Policies

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 re-submission 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 de-congestion 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 de-congestion 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
A.) 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%

B.) Output:

• Drafting and technical support provided for the and revision and finalization of six strategic Action 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%

C.) 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%

D.) Output:

• Organize and facilitate a chief judge’s forum on the adoption and implementation of ACJ laws, Sentencing Guidelines and the recommended Prison de-congestion activities
• Number of working Days - 10 Days - Schedule of Payment - 16.67%

E.) 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 experience 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.