3. Expected outputs and deliverables
The following outputs are expected to be produced by the consultant;
• Submission of detailed methodology/ tools to be used for the assignment.
• A mapping and assessment of legal aid service providers in the North-East, focusing on access to justice in the criminal justice system.
• Terms of Reference for the professional network.
• Submission of a clear, well-organized and comprehensive report as specified in (iii) above.
Home-based with travel
25 Jan - 10 Feb 2023
1. Background of the assignment
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime provides technical assistance to Member States related to combatting illicit drugs, transnational organized crime, terrorism and corruption. Assistance to Member States also includes strengthening crime prevention, criminal justice sector reform and developing tools to assist States in implementing international conventions and protocols in compliance with the rule of law and human rights.
Over the years, Nigeria has taken progressive steps to reform its criminal justice sector, including with reference to policies that contribute to the effective management of prisons/ correctional facilities. Reforms include the enactment of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, which seeks to transform the focus of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) from retributive and punitive to one of correction and reformation. The NCoS, located under the Ministry of Interior, is mandated to provide custodial and non-custodial services in line with the Act. These include inter-alia taking custody of all persons incarcerated legally and providing safe, secure and humane custody for inmates. However, despite notable progress made, there still exists challenges which affect the capacity of the NCoS to effectively manage their correctional facilities in compliance with the international human rights standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules and good correctional practices. Challenges identified include overcrowding, which is attributed to the overuse and excessive length of pre-trial detention in most of Nigeria’s Correctional facilities. From a total prison population of 74443 inmates, 71 percent are held on remand, awaiting trial. In Nigeria, it is estimated that persons suspected to be in conflict with the law spend an average of 3.7 years on pre-trial detention. Access to justice or legal aid for minority and marginalised groups of people in conflict with the law or suspected to be in conflict with the law, particularly from the North-Eastern States of Nigeria remains elusive.
To address some of the challenges faced by the NCoS, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Nigeria Country Office (CONIG) in partnership with and guided by the NCoS and other stakeholders, under the Global Prison Challenges Programme, is implementing a project on “Strengthening the capacity of the Nigerian Correctional Service to ensure the safe, secure and humane custody of pre-trial detainees and sentenced prisoners in selected facilities in the North-Eastern States”. This project aims to strengthen the capacity of the NCoS to ensure safe, secure and humane custody in selected main facilities in the North-East, taking particular account of the special situation of pre-trial detainees and the need to enhance the provision of rehabilitation and/or social reintegration support for all prisoners. One of the key objectives under this project is to enhance access to justice for pre-trial detainees, including by expediting fair and transparent court hearings and building capacities amongst relevant stakeholders. To this end, UNODC - CONIG, seeks the services of a consultant to provide technical support for the establishment of an information base of legal aid providers in the North-East of Nigeria (Borno, Adamawa and Gombe States), including the promotion of good practices among the identified stakeholders.
2. Purpose of the assignment
The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical support for the establishment of an information base of legal aid providers in selected states in the North-East of Nigeria (Borno, Adamawa and Gombe States), including the promotion of good practices among the identified stakeholders, with a focus on the criminal justice system.
• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, criminology, social sciences or related discipline is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum of two (2) years professional experience working on issues on access to justice, capacity and institutional development and justice and security sector reform, is required.
• Knowledge and proven track record in conducting research on access to justice and legal aid in developing contexts, is required.
• Previous experience with the United Nations or other international organization is desirable.
• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of any other UN official language is an advantage.
THE 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.