Consultant To develop a comprehensive, gender-sensitive Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for the Gambia Prison Service. 306 views

Background and Overview

Think Young Women (TYW) is a young women-led, non-profit organisation in The Gambia that was formed in 2010 and officially registered in 2011. The organisation seeks to inspire and assist girls and young women to achieve their individual needs and collective interests by developing their leadership skills, empowering them through capacity building, awareness raising, networking and mentorship.

The aim of this exercise is to support the Gambia Prisons Service with the development of Standard Operating Procedures. The Gambia’s prison system has faced significant challenges over the years, with numerous reports highlighting human rights violations and poor conditions within correctional facilities. The need to reform and improve the system is evident, especially in the context of the country’s transition to democracy. This exercise is under TYW’s project: Gender and Penitentiary in collaboration with Freedom House with funding from USG through USAID.

Objective:

• To develop a comprehensive, gender-sensitive Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for the Gambia Prison Service.

Tasks for the Consultant:

1. Conduct a comprehensive review of the current prison operations, conditions, and practices in Gambia’s three prisons: Jeshwang Prison, Banjul Prison, and Janjangbureh Prison.
2. Identify areas of concern and human rights violations within the prison system, focusing on gender-specific issues.
3.  Develop a clear, comprehensive, and gender-sensitive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which covers the various aspects of prison management, including but not limited to:
   1.  Inmate management and care, with specific attention to the needs of female inmates
   2. Health and medical care for inmates
   3. Nutritional standards for inmate meals
   4. Security Protocols
   5. Staff training and development, including gender sensitivity training
   6. Handling of complaints and grievances
   7. Emergency response procedures.
4. Ensure the developed SOP complies with international human rights standards, principles and best practices, and national laws and regulations.
5. Provide training and capacity-building support to relevant prison staff to implement the developed SOP successfully.
6. Facilitate the validation of the developed SOPs by all relevant stakeholders, including Gambia Prison Services, the Ministry of Interior, civil society organizations, and the Ministry of Justice.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

1. Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Gambia Prison Service.
2. Training materials and documentation for prison staff.
3. Reports summarizing the review process, recommendations, and the validation of SOPs.
4. Training Report

Timeline: This activity is expected to be completed within six months from the contract commencement date.

Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

1. Demonstrated expertise in human rights, gender equality, and prison reform.
2. Experience in developing SOPs for correctional facilities.
3. Experience in conducting training workshops for security agencies
4. Familiarity with international human rights standards and principles.
5. Knowledge of Gambian laws and regulations related to correctional services.
6. Strong communication and training skills.

Submission of Proposals: Interested consultants should submit their proposals, including a detailed work plan, methodology, CVs of team members, and financial proposal to thinkyoungwomen@gmail.com.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Relevant experience and qualifications of the consultant or consulting firm.
2. Methodology and approach to developing SOPs.
3. Cost-effectiveness and budget.
4. Understanding of the Gambian context and legal framework.
5. Clarity and completeness of the proposal.

Contractual Arrangements: The selected consultant or consulting firm will enter into a formal contract with TYW outlining all terms and conditions, including payment schedules and reporting requirements.

Deadline to apply is 10 May 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.