Result of Service

4. Expected tangible and measurable output(s)/deliverable(s):

• Final Report on the findings and situational analysis
• PowerPoint presentation based on the Final Report

Work Location

Homebased

Expected duration

22 May- 30 June 2023

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background of the assignment:

A major and continuing concern in Kenya is the rise in the use of drugs and substances and the minimal options to imprisonment for people with drug use disorders who by one way or another find themselves in contact with the Criminal Justice Sector. This results in and contributes to, among other things, the growing prison population, and the resulting financial and social burden on the country. People with drug use disorders in contact with the criminal justice system often end up convicted and imprisoned for minor offences that could be mitigated using non-custodial alternative measures. In addition, poor diet, degrading clothing and beddings, poor sanitation and minimal treatment within the detention facilities have made prisons breeding ground for recidivism and radicalization even for the low risk / petty and first time offenders.

As the global guardian of the UN standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, UNODC is mandated to support Member States in upholding the rule of law, promoting crime prevention and effective, fair, humane and accountable criminal justice systems in line with the United Nations standards and norms on crime prevention and criminal justice and other relevant international legal instruments.

In line with this mandate, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section and Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) together with the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) agreed to jointly support the Government of Kenya to promote the use of evidence-based drug dependence treatment and care as non-custodial alternative to prosecution, conviction and punishment in adequate cases of a minor nature for people with drug use disorders in contact with the criminal justice system.

UNODC/WHO initiative titled “Treatment and Care for People with Drug Use Disorders in Contact with the Criminal Justice System: Alternatives to Conviction or Punishment” is in line with the Commission on Narcotic Drugs Resolution 58/5 “Supporting the Collaboration of Public Health and Justice Authorities in Pursuing Alternative Measures to Conviction and Punishment for Appropriate Drug Related Offences of a Minor Nature” and International Drug Control Conventions; the Outcome document of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problems (UNGASS) in 2016; and other relevant instruments such as United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (The Tokyo Rules) and United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial measures for women Offenders (The Bangkok Rules). Providing drug treatment as alternatives to conviction or punishment for people with drug use disorders, in all adequate cases can go a long way to promote health and safety in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG Goal 3, 5, and 16.

Project implementation priorities are defined to: strategically collect data on evaluated programme as well as scientific data; identify and analyse existing practices and challenges in implementing treatment and care for people with drug use disorders in contact with the criminal justice system; build and develop capacities of relevant professionals for successful implementation of the national action plan; and also to monitor and evaluate collected data to enable further adaptation of the national plan and ensure its effective implementation.

This assignment will also build on the work of the UNODC to support to the Government of Kenya (GoK) in strengthening efficiency and effectiveness in promoting human rights approach in administration of justice, enhance coordination within the justice sector and widen the use and application of alternatives to conviction or punishment at the pre-trial, trial and post-trial stage, in compliance with international norms.

2. Purpose of the assignment:

The aim of this consultancy is to map out existing practices related to diverting people with drug use disorders in contact with the criminal justice system into drug treatment facilities as alternatives to conviction or punishment in Mombasa and environs; to document health and justice collaboration and outcomes in Mombasa and environs ; and as a deliverable, to write a Final Report on the Situational Analysis.

The assessment will provide recommendations on how to best implement the objectives of the project as detailed in the National Action Plan.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in law, political science, public health, addiction medicine, mental health, social sciences, development studies or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree trainings in diversion and promotion of alternatives to imprisonment is desirable.
• A minimum of 5 years of working experience in the field of drug demand reduction/drug treatment and rehabilitation and/or criminal justice, including working experiences in Kenya is required.
• A minimum of 5 years working experience in the field of Monitoring, Evaluation and Research with quantitative and qualitative data collection is required.
• Good analytical skills and proven experience with reading and understanding or drafting guidelines/protocols/standards for drug dependence treatment and care is desirable.
• Demonstrable understanding of strengthening the rule of law sector in Kenya is desirable.
• Proven experience with the development of technical reports on health and justice and proven English drafting skills are required.
• Proven experience of publishing scientific articles and papers with obtained ethical clearance in Kenya is required.
• Intercultural work experience and/or experience working with international organizations, or the African Union is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. Working knowledge of Kiswahili is desirable.

No Fee

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.