Consultancy to design and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for law enforcement agencies working on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases  218 views

GENERAL INFORMATION 

Services/Work Description: Consultancy to design and develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for law enforcement agencies working on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases 

Employer: Ministry of Justice 

Contract Type: Individual Consultant 

Duration: 60 days over a period of 5 months

Expected Start Date: March 2025 

1. BACKGROUND 

In November 2021, the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) submitted its final report to the Government, which included recommendations on measures to ensure accountability, promote reconciliation and healing, and provide reparations for victims and their families. The recommendations include institutional reforms to strengthen the rule of law, enhance human rights protections, and ensure that state security agencies are accountable to the public. The TRRC also recommended the establishment of a reparations fund to provide financial and other forms of assistance to victims and their families. 

The Government of The Gambia has committed in its White Paper on the TRRC recommendations to implement 263 of the TRRC recommendations, and in May 2022, developed an Implementation Plan to guide the process. The White Paper recognizes memorialization as a symbolic form of reparations that can serve as a driver of social cohesion and reconciliation. 

The Implementation Plan on the White Paper is a strategic tool that aims to ensure that the TRRC’s recommendations are fully and effectively implemented, in a manner that is transparent, inclusive, and accountable. The Plan outlines the steps that the Government will take to implement the various recommendations and identifies the key stakeholders responsible for implementing them. 

In order to effectively implement the recommendations relating to the investigations and prosecutions of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) cases, the Government intends to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs). The SOPs will be utilized by all law enforcement agencies investigating SGBV cases to ensure that SGBV investigations are carried out in line with international best practices. 

2. SCOPE OF WORK 

The Government of The Gambia through the Ministry of Justice is seeking a Consultant to design and develop a standard operating procedures manual for law enforcement agencies working on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) aligned with the TRRC’s recommendations. The SOPs should take cognizance of the nature of human rights violations that occurred in The Gambia between July 1994 and January 2017. Furthermore, the Consultant will support the roll out of a series of trainings and discussions with justice and security sector personnel on the investigation and adjudication of post TRRC cases, targeting 40 judges, 30 prosecutors and 100 police officers. 

The Individual Consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks and deliverables: 

1. Present a desk review of the existing procedures used in the investigations of SGBV cases. 
2. Develop and print a standard operating procedures manual for law enforcement agencies working on SGBV investigations in The Gambia to ensure they are in line with international best practices. The Gambia to. The SOPs must be aligned with international best practices. 
3. Conduct trainings for law enforcement officials on how to administer the SOPs. 
4. Develop and roll out a training programme for prosecutors and police officers, as well as judicial discussions for judges, on various aspects of the investigation and adjudication of crimes arising from the TRRC Report. For this aspect of the Consultancy, the consultant may propose a partnership/sub-contracting of other subject-matter experts. 

The selected Consultant will report to and submit deliverables to the Head of the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Unit at the Ministry of Justice. The Consultant will be required to work closely with the SGBV Unit, the Office of National Security, and the Post- TRRC Unit. 

2. DURATION OF THE WORK 

The duration of this contract is for 60 days over a period of 5 months from March 2025 to July 2025.  

3. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
4. Academic Qualifications 

 A Bachelor’s degree in Law, Public Administration, Human Resources, M&E, Social Sciences. 

 A Master’s Degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage. 

1. Professional experience 

o At least five (5) years professional experience in a relevant field. 

o Experience in SOP development. 

o Experience conducting trainings for security and justice sector professionals. 

1. Competencies 

o Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 

o Proven ability to work with diverse groups and stakeholders. 

o Ability to deliver high-quality written and oral reports. 

1. Language and other skills 

 Fluency in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills is required. 

 Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications, is required. 

4. CRITERIA FOR SELECTING THE BEST OFFER 

The selection will be based on a cumulative analysis of the Technical and Financial Proposals submitted by the applicant. The Technical proposal must include a short motivational letter highlighting why they are the best candidate for the consultancy based on the scope of work, and a brief methodology, as well as their CV. The Financial proposal should include an all-inclusive daily fee in GMD. 

The Technical Proposal will carry a weight of 70%, while the Financial Proposal will carry a weight of 30% as described in the table below: 

Contract award shall be made to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: 

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and 
2. Having received the cumulative highest score out of a pre-determined set of  weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% from the maximum available technical score (60 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will be equal to 30. The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical criteria and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer. 

6. PAYMENT AUTHORITY 

The qualified consultant shall receive his/her payment upon certification of the completed tasks as satisfactory by the Head of the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Unit per the following payment schedule: 

7. PAYMENT SCHEDULE 

Payments will be made upon the successful completion of the following deliverables, certified by the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary: 

The Consultant shall not, either during the term or after termination of the assignment, disclose any proprietary or confidential information related to the consultancy service without prior written consent. Proprietary interests in all materials and documents prepared by the consultants under the assignment shall become and remain properties of the Attorney General’s Chambers & the Ministry of Justice. 

9. HOW TO APPLY 

Interested applicants are to submit their CV and two documents, a Technical and a Financial proposal to bids@posttrrc.com no later than 4th March 2025. 

Interested applicants are also encouraged to read the Government’s White Paper on the TRRC recommendations, and its subsequent Implementation Plan, both available for download here: https://www.moj.gov.gm/downloads 

This TOR is approved by: 

Signature: Date: 

16/2/2025 

Name and Designation: Isatou Camara, Head of SGBV Unit, Ministry of Justice