Posting Title: Consultant; Communication Expert to Support the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ)

Department/Office: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Duty Station: NAIROBI

Posting Period: 09 September 2021 - 19 September 2021

Result of Service

All outputs should be submitted in English and meet the satisfaction of UNODC according to the following indicators:

• Technical competence.
• Quality of written work.
• Timeliness of delivery.
• Comprehensive and impact-oriented reports on monthly activities (deliverables A-E).

The evaluation of the consultant’s performance (e.g. the technical competence shown and the timeliness of the reports) will be determined by the UNODC Regional Representative for Eastern Africa, in close coordination and consultation with UNODC headquarters. If the consultant does not meet the requirements, he/she will be provided with an opportunity to redraft in terms of the guidance provided by the assessors. If after redrafting the requirements are not met, the UNODC reserves the right to non-payment and/or suspension of the contract.

Work Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Expected duration: 70 Working Days between September to December 2021

Duties and Responsibilities

1.*Background of the assignment*

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.

In line with this mandate the UNODC project ‘Strengthening the Administration of Justice and operationalising alternatives to imprisonment in Kenya’ aims to support the Government of the Republic of Kenya to strengthen efficiency in the delivery of judicial services, enhance coordination within the criminal justice sector and widen the use and application of alternatives to imprisonment. The project is designed to implement a part of the Programme for Legal Aid and Empowerment in Kenya (PLEAD). The Programme is funded by the European Union and targets the counties with the five largest urban centres of the country (Kisumu, Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru and Uasin Gishu) and seven counties of the most marginalised area within the country (Garissa, Isiolo, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Tana River and Wajir).

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. The Kenyan Probation and Aftercare Service (KPAS);
4. The Witness Protection Agency (WPA);
5. The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ).

NCAJ was established in 2011, under the Judicial Service Act, to coordinate the administration of justice and reforms of Kenya’s justice sector in an effective, efficient and consultative manner. It is a high-level policymaking, implementation and oversight coordinating mechanism. The Council is composed of heads of all of the justice institutions, principle secretaries of relevant ministries, representatives of CSOs active in human rights and legal aid and a representative of the private sector.

The NCAJ is cascaded from the national level to the court level in the form of Court User Committees (CUCs). These committees bring together all stakeholders (including local chiefs and legal aid CSOs) to find local solutions to problems related to justice delivery. Their role is key to supporting and sustaining greater cohesion and coherence throughout the justice process. CUCs regularly report to NCAJ, which allows policymakers to respond to challenges faced on the ground.

2.*Purpose of the assignment*
The assignment entails continuous communication support to the NCAJ. This will include bringing greater visibility to NCAJ and raising awareness of its mandate and highlighting its positive impact on the justice system, through a range of activities and the use of different modes of communication, including audio-visual material and social media.

3.*Specific tasks to be performed by the consultant*

The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Regional Representative, direct supervision of the Head of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme UNODC ROEA and in close technical cooperation with Programme and Associate Programme Officers of PLEAD, and within the framework of the UNODC Regional Programme for Eastern Africa (2016-2021).

The Consultant shall perform the following tasks:

• Support communications for specific events and campaigns, including drafting talking points, press releases and social media and website content.
• Contribute and coordinate social media content to raise the visibility of NCAJ.
• Coordinate the delivery of identified support services, such as graphic design and layout, illustrations, translation, photography and video and audio production
• Identify new and creative ways to enhance the visibility of the NCAJ.
• Assist with editing and revision of documents for publication.
• Edit publications to ensure clarity, consistency and readability of the text for the intended audience.
• Ensure that the NCAJ website is regularly updated.
• Provide strategic advice on communications to promote coordination in the sector and criminal justice reform.
• Support the development of webinars.
• Develop and foster productive relationships with colleagues with both national and international partners (including UNODC) to facilitate harmonized communication and key messages on PLEAD as well as optimizing available communication opportunities.

Qualifications/Special skills

Academic Qualifications: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communications or other relevant 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.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of work experience in communications is required.
• Experience in supporting justice programs or actors is desirable.
• Experience working within Eastern Africa region is desirable.
  Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English, i.e. oral and written proficiency is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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.