Consultant to Develop Practical Guide for a Gender-Inclusive Mediation for the Customary Justice System at IDLO - International Development Law Organization

THE ASSIGNMENT

In this regard, the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) has partnered with Court Annexed Mediation Secretariate and the National AJS Taskforce to support the Judiciary in engaging a consultant to develop court practice direction for the Specialized SGBV Court. The practice direction will be used to standardize the mediation procedures of the customary justice system for enhanced access to justice, timely and efficient disposal of cases in a gender-inclusive manner, and ensure uniformity in the selection of the mediation and AJS panels and the dispute settlement experiences.

The Consultant’s duties and responsibilities will include:

• Inception Meeting with Court Annexed Mediation Secretariate and the National AJS Taskforce to discuss the TORs and scope of the assignment, methodology, and expectations, and develop an inception report that demonstrates an understanding of the assignment.
• Undertake robust desk research of the prevalent, ideal, and best practices in the diverse meditation practices of the customary justice system.
• Conduct wider stakeholder consultations and engagement during the process of developing the practical guide for gender-inclusive mediation, including the review of the national, regional, and international regulatory frameworks on non-discriminatory dispute settlement practices.
• Informed by the findings of the assessment, develop a practical guide on gender-inclusive and non-discriminatory mediation practices, integrating the gender-centered approach in dispute settlement practices.
• Present the draft practical guide for gender-inclusive mediation in stakeholder consultative meeting for feedback.
• Consider and incorporate feedback from stakeholder consultations into the final practical guide for gender-inclusive mediation, and present the same during the validation and launch.
• Refine and submit the final practical guide for gender-inclusive mediation to

 DELIVERABLES

1. An Inception Report detailing the understanding of the assignment, methodology, timelines, work plan, potential risks, and mitigation measures.
2. A practical guide for gender-inclusive mediation for the non-discriminatory dispute settlement in the customary justice system, presented in a publication format.
3. An Assignment Completion Report and sources of information relied upon.

DURATION

The consultancy contracts will run for three months, from December 2022 to February 2023.

Job Requirements

The Consultant should have the following skills, qualifications, and experience:

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Law from a university recognized in Kenya.
• An advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
• A master’s degree in any of the above fields is an added advantage.

Work experience

• A minimum of 10-15 years of professional experience in access to justice, criminal justice investigation, and prosecution.
• Demonstrable understanding of the nuanced nature of Customary Informal Justice
• Demonstrated experience in criminal justice, mediation, and the customary justice system of Kenya.
• Demonstrated skills and experience delivering on similar assignments.
• Sound knowledge of ongoing reforms in the justice sector, including Article 159(2)(c).
• Demonstrable experience in legal drafting or Policy development. 

Technical competencies

• Demonstrated legal analysis, research, and writing skills, including proof of writing.
• Development of Policies experience is also necessary
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Excellent work ethic founded on the principles of integrity and confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and other relevant computer applications.