Consultant to develop a report The Gambia Model (TRRC Unit) 166 views

Contract Banjul, The Gambia January 16, 2025 - February 14, 2025 Administrations - Communication & Public Relations - Consulting / Research - Operations - Other

Job Overview

GENERAL INFORMATION

Services/Work Description: Consultancy to develop a report on The Gambia’s approach to truth-seeking, also known as The Gambia Model, which

highlights, inter alia, key lessons learnt and best practices of the

Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) (re

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Employer: Ministry of Justice

Contract Type: Consultant

Duration: 120 working days over a period of 5 months Expected Start Date: February 2025

BACKGROUND

The Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) of The Gambia was established by an Act of the National Assembly in 2017 to create an impartial record of the nature, causes, and extent of violations and abuses of human rights committed during the period July 1994 to January 2017, and to consider the granting of reparations to victims.

The TRRC conducted investigations into 17 themes of human rights violations and abuses within its mandate, including unlawful arrests, detention, enforced disappearance, and persecution of media personnel and political opponents, as well as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The Commission heard public testimonies from 393 witnesses, most of whom were victims, and over 50 of whom were either self-confessed or alleged perpetrators.

On 25 November 2021, the TRRC submitted its Final Report to President Adama Barrow, detailing its findings and 265 recommendations for implementation by the Government. In response to the TRRC’s report, the Government of The Gambia issued its White Paper on the TRRC recommendations in May 2022, where it accepted to implement all, except for 2 of the TRRC’s recommendations. Subsequently, in May 2023, the Government released an Implementation Plan, detailing its strategy for the implementation of the TRRC recommendations.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this Consultancy is to develop a detailed report on The Gambia’s approach to truth-seeking, which highlights best practices and lessons learned from the TRRC, also known as The Gambian Model.

SCOPE OF THE WORK

The Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Chambers would engage the services of a Consultant to do the following:

Develop an inception report outline steps to take in conducting the Consultancy, containing amongst other things, an outline of The Gambia Model report.
Conduct research and interviews with relevant stakeholders to gather insights into the technical, operational, administrative and other challenges faced, and best practices employed during the TRRC process.
Thoroughly review TRRC policy documents and strategies.
Draft The Gambia Model Report, solicit comments from stakeholders and finalize its content.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

Deliverables / Outputs Estimated

Duration Approving Authority

Submission of Inception Report, Outline 1

of The Gambia Model report, and data collection tools

within 1 month

Special Adviser on Transitional Justice

2 Submission of Draft The Gambia Model within 4 months Special Adviser on Transitional Justice

3 Submission of Final The Gambia Model within 6 months Special Adviser on Transitional Justice

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT / REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

 The selected Consultant will report to and submit deliverables to the Special Adviser on Transitional Justice.

 The Ministry of Justice shall provide office space to the Consultant if necessary. However, all other facilities, utilities and equipment required to carry out this Consultancy shall be arranged by and costs borne by the Consultant.

DURATION OF THE WORK

The duration of this contract is for 120 working days over the course of 5 months, from February to June 2025.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

a) Academic Qualifications

 A Ph.D or equivalent in law, or related equivalent is required with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, OR

 LL.M degree or master’s degree in human rights, peace and conflict studies or related area with at least 8 years of relevant experience.

b) Professional experience and knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge of international law, particularly in the context of transitional justice processes in various countries. The Consultant should possess knowledge of legal frameworks, standards, and mechanisms related to human rights protection in relation to truth commissions.
Knowledge of The Gambia’s transitional justice process, including its historical context, legal framework, and key initiatives.
At least 6 (or 8 with LLM) years of professional experience in research, including previous substantive involvement in development of reports, evaluations and/or reviews is required. ● Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure, delivering high-quality outcomes within tight deadlines.
Exceptional analytical skills with the capability to assess complex issues, identify trends, and formulate insightful recommendations.
Experience working in or on The Gambia related to human rights, constitutional law, democracy and governance is desirable.
Experience in participatory data collection methods and analysis, with field-based implementation in The Gambia. A record of publication for a variety of audiences is desirable.
Technical expertise with women, youth, marginalized groups and social inclusion in the context of transitional justice processes is preferred.

c) Competencies

Effective Communication
Working with People
Drive for Results
Stakeholder Engagement

d) Language and other skills

Strong knowledge of English, including the ability to present clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
Fluency in Gambian local languages is an advantage.
Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders, and
Computer skills: full command of Microsoft applications (word, excel, PowerPoint) and other software packages relevant to work (e.g., internet-based search engines and research tools, data analysis software) will be required.

Important Note:

Applicants are required to have the following professional and technical qualifications and only those who hold these qualifications will be shortlisted and contacted. Women, young people and/or Persons with Disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING THE BEST OFFER

Upon the advertisement of the Consultancy Notice, any qualified and interested person must submit a Technical and Financial Proposal, and samples of their written material. The Technical proposal must include a motivational letter and CV. The motivational letter should provide details on why the applicant believes they are most qualified for this role.

The Financial proposal should include the individual’s all-inclusive daily rate in GMD, as well as all other costs to be encountered in the execution of this Consultancy, in GMD.

Applicants will be evaluated based on Cumulative Analysis as per the following scenario: ▪ Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

▪ Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. In this regard, the respective weight of the proposals are:

Technical Criteria weight is 70%
Financial Criteria weight is 30%

Criteria	Weight	Max. Point
Technical Competence (based on CV, sample work and motivational letter)	70%	70
Criteria: Evidence of qualifications –  A Ph.D or equivalent in law, or related equivalent is required with a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, OR  LL.M degree or master’s degree in human rights, peace and conflict studies or related area with at least eight (8) years of relevant work experience.		10
Criteria: Adequate work experience –  Demonstrated knowledge of international human rights law, particularly in the context of transitional justice processes in various countries. The consultant should possess knowledge of legal frameworks, standards, and mechanisms related to human rights protection in relation to truth commissions.  Knowledge of The Gambia's transitional justice process, including its historical context, legal framework, and key initiatives.  Ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure, delivering high-quality outcomes within tight deadlines.  Exceptional analytical skills with the capability to assess complex issues, identify trends, and formulate insightful recommendations.  At least 6/8 years of professional experience in research, including previous substantive involvement in development of reports, evaluations and/or reviews is required.  Experience working in or on The Gambia related to human rights, constitutional law, democracy and governance is desirable.  Experience in participatory data collection methods and analysis, with field-based implementation in The Gambia. A record of publication for a variety of audiences is desirable.  Technical expertise with women, youth, marginalized groups and social inclusion in the context of transitional justice processes is preferred.		30
Motivation and sample work – well-structured and written, demonstrating understanding of the assignment, and local context knowledge.		30
The daily fees in the financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses expected to be incurred during the contract, including: o The daily professional fee o Return flight ticket to The Gambia o Accommodation costs whilst in The Gambia o Local transportation costs o Communications, utilities and consumables o Life, health and any other insurance o Any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract	30%	30
Total Score	Technical Score * 70% + Financial Score * 30%

EVALUATION METHODOLOGY

Contract award shall be made to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative highest score out of a predetermined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% from the maximum available technical score (70 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.

PAYMENT AUTHORITY

The qualified consultant shall receive his/her payment as per the following payment schedule:

Payment Installment	Deliverables or documents to be delivered	Approval should be obtained	% of Payment
1st	Submission of: Inception Report, including Outline of The Gambia Model, and interview tools; Draft Report on The Gambia Model.	Attorney General and Minister of Justice certifies satisfactory completion of agreed tasks based on which UNDP RR/DRR certifies payment request	50%
2nd	Submission of: Final The Gambia Model		50%

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROPRIETARY INTERESTS

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 on 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.

HOW TO APPLY AND ANNEXES TO THE TOR

Interested individuals are to submit a Technical and a Financial proposal, as well as their writing samples, to bids@posttrrc.com no later than 14 February 2025. Please read section 8 of this ToR for details of what to include in the Technical and Financial proposals.

Interested individuals are 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.gm/downloads

This TOR is approved by:

Signature:

Date:

1/15/2025

Name and Designation: Ida Persson, Special Adviser to the Minister of Justice on Transitional Justice.