Duties and Responsibilities
1. Background of the Assignment: UNODC is the custodian of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) which is the only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument. UNODC provides tailored technical assistance activities to Eastern African Member States in support of the implementation of the Convention and of mandates related to economic fraud and identity-related crime. This technical assistance covers a number of thematic areas and takes different forms, including legislative assistance, assistance in the development of national policies and strategies, capacity building activities and support for various national groups in implementing anti-corruption projects and proposals. Through the regional office, UNODC has developed garnered knowledge and developed expertise in anti-corruption work in the region. UNODC continues to support member states in the region through the implementation of various anti-corruption projects. In addition, as the global guardian of the United Nations 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. Within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for Eastern Africa (2016-2021), and in close cooperation with the Regional Section for Africa and the Middle East at UNODC headquarters, the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme of ROEA seeks to implement these objectives through support to major justice reforms processes undertaken by East African States. The Overall Objective of the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid delivery is to reinforce the rule of law, improve access to justice, increase efficiency and accountability in the justice system, and use of technology as an enabler of justice. In line with the priorities of the criminal justice system and the Government of Kenya, the overall objective is to be realized under the outcomes of enhancing the capacity of the criminal justice system to fight corruption (outcome 1); strengthened administration of justice through improved coordination of the justice sector, greater application of non-custodial measures and use of alternative justice mechanisms systems (AJS), with an emphasis on vulnerable and at risk groups (outcome 2); increased competence, capacity and efficiency in the criminal justice system (outcome 3); and enhancing access to legal aid, especially for the poor and vulnerable (outcome 4). Each of the above outcome are interlinked and complement each other. PLEAD II will address capacity needs and persistent bottlenecks affecting service delivery in the justice sector. Advancing digitalization to streamline the administration of justice and countering corruption will be central elements as the partners seek to improve access to justice for all Kenyans, including those at risk of exclusion and marginalization. The PLEAD component implemented by UNODC targets support to the following institutions in the justice chain (national partners): 1. The Judiciary 2. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) 3. Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS) 4. The Witness Protection Agency (WPA) 5. The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) 6. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC 7. National Police Service (NPS) 8. Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) 9. Directorate of Children Services (DCS). Probation and Aftercare Service PACS falls under the State Department for Correctional Services in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government. The statutory mandate of PACS is anchored on the Probation of Offenders Act, Cap 64, and the Community Service Orders Act, No. 10 of 1998. PACS contributes to the administration of justice through the management of non-custodial sanctions. This include but not limited to the following functions: • Social inquiries and generation of reports including bail reports on accused persons and offenders for decision making on bail and community service orders or probation orders, respectively. • Supervision of offenders serving non-custodial measures, that is, those offenders placed on probation orders and community services for rehabilitation and community payback. • Reintegration and resettlement of ex-offenders exiting penal institutions. • Aftercare of the young offenders exiting rehabilitation schools and psychiatric hospitals. • Victims’ protection support including victim impact statements, reconciliation and mediation and, consideration of other victim restitutive measures. It is also in relation to victim protection at the pre-release stage. Directorate of Children Services The Directorate of Children Services is housed in the State Department for Social Protection which is under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. DCS is mandated to safeguard and protect the rights and welfare of children for national prosperity. This mandate is drawn from a series of child protection legal frameworks and policies which help in service delivery at different levels. DCS provides services to both children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with the law (i.e., those who have been alleged, accused of, or recognized as having infringed the law). In relation to children in conflict with the law, DCS works closely with other justice sector actors to ensure their safe custody, care, and rehabilitation. One of the children rights-based structures that have been devolved to the grass-root level and anchored in the Children Act, 2022, are the County Children Advisory Committees (CCACs) and Sub County Children Advisory Committees (SCCACs), coordinated by DCS. 2. Purpose of the Assignment: The purpose of the assignment is to provide technical support at the policy and activity level to Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS) and the Directorate of Children Services (DCS). This will focus on activities supported by PLEAD II and coordination with other relevant actors, including The National Council for Children Services (NCCS) committees, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission among others while ensuring mutual complementary of the activities of the actors to align implementation of the objectives of the PLEAD project and the Regional Programme for Eastern Africa. In addition, the consultant will provide substantive contribution in the area of programme management and implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation for the implementation of the PLEAD project. The consultant shall also provide technical support for other relevant crime prevention and criminal justice projects as needed. 3. Specific tasks to be performed by the Consultant Under the overall supervision of the Regional Representative and direct supervision of the Head of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme UNODC ROEA and PLEAD II Project Coordinator, the consultant is tasked with the following responsibilities: • Work with PACS and other Justice actors to coordinate and facilitate the delivery and implementation of activities under Outcome 1, 2 and 3 for PLEAD II. Such activities include the Joint training of stakeholders to enhance utilization of supervised non-custodial measures; Bribery and Corruption Risk Assessment; Integrated Case Management and Data Management Systems. • Work with DCS and other Justice Actors to coordinate and facilitate the delivery and implementation of activities under Outcome 2, and 3 for PLEAD II. Such activities include; Development of a Matrix for the Implementation of the Children Act, 2022; Establishment of a Crime Prevention Centre. • Work with PACS and DCS and other relevant actors to facilitate the development, implementation, and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitor and analyze specific aspects of programme/project development and implementation; review relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and recommend corrective actions; liaise with relevant parties; identify and track follow-up actions under the PLEAD II project. • Provide continuous technical support at policy and activity level to PACS and DCS. This shall include the development of different strategic documents and reform initiatives, background research and analysis. • Continuously review and monitor the status of ongoing activities and advise on necessary follow ups or corrective actions. As well as monitoring developments that impact the justice sector and provide regular briefs where such developments are analyzed. • Report on Monitoring the progress of overall project implementation and project beneficiaries including probation officers, children’s officers, and children in conflict and in contact with the law. • Contribute to the development of technical reports relevant to the work of the committee support, this shall, inter alia, include ensuring quality, robustness, clarity, adherence to applicable normative framework and the integration and mainstreaming of human rights and gender equality. – Cooperate, consult, and coordinate with the different committees and taskforces that work with the implementing Partners such as the National Council for Children Services (NCCS) and other criminal justice actors. • Continuously review and monitor the status of ongoing crime prevention and criminal justice initiatives and advise on necessary follow ups and/or corrective action. • Provide continuous technical support at policy and activity level to PACS and DCS. This includes the development of different strategic documents and reform initiatives, background research and analysis on proposed activities as well as organizing meetings, workshops, trainings, and visibility events. • Provide technical support in preparing, planning, and facilitating workshops of PACS and DCS in developing action plans. Provide administrative and substantive consultative support to and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying and proposed participants, preparation of background documents and presentations, handling logistics, etc. • Mobilize further engagements with the criminal justice actors in Kenya and coordinate resource mobilization for crime prevention and criminal justice programmes.
Qualifications/special skills
An advanced university (Master or equivalent) degree in law, legal studies, criminal justice or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. • A minimum of two years of relevant working experience in crime prevention and criminal justice, human rights and/or related fields is required. • Experience working with the United Nations, or a similar international organization, is desirable. • Experience in working with EU funded projects is desirable. • Experience working with criminal justice practitioners is desirable.