Call for Expressions of Interest - Specialist Consultant Pool - Rule of Law Section and Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform

Job Description

Location: Home-based

Candidate Type: Individual experts, consultancy companies, think tanks, and academic and research institutions are welcome to apply.

Nationality Requirements: Commonwealth nationals and companies will have priority in consideration for placements.

Fee: Various

Closing date: Monday 1 March 2021 at 17:00 GMT

The Rule of Law Section (ROL) and the Office of Civil and Criminal Justice Reform (OCCJR), located within the Governance and Peace Directorate, are responsible for the delivery of Outcome 2 of the Strategic Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21: to assist member countries to deliver “more effective, efficient and equitable public governance”.

The OCCJR makes available good legislative practice from across the Commonwealth through model laws, standards, templates, legal insight, and legal networks, and delivers technical assistance based on these resources. ROL undertakes technical assistance and policy work in a number of areas, including access to justice, legislative drafting, law reform, cybercrime and cybersecurity, judicial independence, implementation of the Commonwealth Latimer House Principles on the Three Branches of Government, gender justice, and international humanitarian law.

To support this work, ROL and OCCJR often engage external experts to undertake the following tasks under the supervision of the ROL and OCCJR:

• Deliver capacity building and training to Commonwealth member countries in respect of the relevant focus area(s) of ROL and OCCJR;
• Provide expert advice on legal issues where required in respect of the relevant ROL and OCCJR focus area(s);
• Provide advice, capacity building and training in law reform to requesting Commonwealth member countries;
• Prepare draft legislation and provide related legal advice on relevant areas as per member countries’ requests; and,
• Prepare policy papers to inform Law Ministers’ discussions at their biennial meetings.

ROL and OCCJR are currently seeking Expressions of Interest from independent experts, consultants, think tanks, academic and research institutions and consulting companies.

The following general requirements are listed as guidance and will be used in the assessment of submissions for inclusion in the pool.

Individual applicants and lead consultants of consulting companies will have:

One or more of:

• A degree in law;
• A degree or qualification in a related discipline such as criminal justice, criminology, human rights, international relations, or political science;
• A degree in any discipline combined with substantial legal experience and/or knowledge;

And one or more of:

• At least 10 years of legal experience, either as a qualified lawyer, solicitor, barrister, prosecutor, or judge in a Commonwealth jurisdiction, and/or through legal academic work and research.
• Specialisation in rule of law issues, in either the development or application of policy, research and/or training, technical assistance and capacity building programmes;
• A demonstrable track record in policy development, delivery of rule of law technical assistance, or the drafting of publications or official reports;

Experience in working as a consultant, or in an advisory capacity, with national, regional, or international institutions is an advantage.

Please refer to the terms of reference for full information.

Please apply for this talent pool by submitting a cover letter with your CV by 1 March 2021. Priority will be given to consultants that are Commonwealth citizens or entities registered in a Commonwealth country.

Closing date: Monday 1 March 2021 at 17:00 GMT

About the Organization

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the principal intergovernmental body of the Commonwealth, responsible for advancing and achieving the shared goals of the association’s 54 member governments in advancing democracy, development and respect for diversity. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General who, as the Chief Executive of the organisation, is responsible and accountable for overall leadership, management and delivery.