Call for Expression of Interest: Senior Criminal Justice and Coordination Expert

General Objective:

Result 1 of GOJUST II focuses on improving justice sector coordination. In line with this objective, the over-all objective of this mission is to assess to what extent the performance of the criminal justice system, in terms of the quality of the approach, concept and design, relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability including value for money, has been enhanced through strengthened cooperation, coordination, and communication between the criminal justice agencies in the current JZ areas resulting from the establishment and operation of the JZ strategy.

Specific Objectives:

To assess the quality of the approach, concept and design, relevance, efficiency, performance/ effectiveness,  impact, and  sustainability  of the coordinated approach as the basis for improving justice delivery through the JSCC and JZ strategy on the administration of criminal justice in the first twelve JZ areas including Quezon City (launched in November 2014), Cebu City (launched October 2018), Davao City (launched March 2019),  Angeles City (launched April 2019), Bacolod City (launched August 2019), Naga City (launched September 2019), Calamba City (launched March 2021), Balanga City (launched March 2022), Baguio City (launched June 2022),  Zamboanga City (launched February 2023), Tagaytay City (launched June 2023), and Puerto Princesa (launched November 2023). This will take the following into consideration:

1. To note of the time of operation since the launch in the respective JZ areas.
2. To assess the usefulness of the specific characteristics of the JZ strategy as outlined in the design of the JZ respective work plans.
3. To assess the ability of the JZ strategy to function as a change agent in terms of geographical coverage and legal and judicial reform and where applicable also in relation to a specific thematic issue.
4. To assess the extent to which the JZ strategy has led to adoption by the criminal justice agencies in the JZ areas of a programme-oriented approach driven by common goals.
5. To assess the JZ strategy in terms of a cost-benefit analysis and sustainability and look into various approaches and initiatives by which the Justice Zones can be sustained for future programming.
6. To recommend improvements in the design of the JZ strategy; monitoring and evaluation of progress (in terms of performance of the criminal justice system); and transfer of the JZ strategy to other local areas.
7. To assess the extent to which the Justice Zone strategy has contributed towards better justice sector service delivery to local communities.

Specific Duties: 

1. Assess the quality, concept and design, relevance, efficiency, performance/effectiveness,  impact, and  sustainability  of the coordinated approach as the basis for improving justice delivery through the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) and Justice Zone (JZ) strategy on the administration of criminal justice in the first twelve JZ areas including Quezon City (launched in November 2014), Cebu City (launched October 2018), Davao City (launched March 2019),  Angeles City (launched April 2019), Bacolod City (launched August 2019), Naga City (launched September 2019), Calamba City (launched March 2021), Balanga City (launched March 2022), Baguio City (launched June 2022), Zamboanga City (launched February 2023), Tagaytay City (launched June 2023), and Puerto Princesa (launched November 2023).
2. Participate in the kick-off briefing and discussion with the technical assistance team and the JZ result area team on the scope of the assignment.  
3. Participate in a separate kick-off meeting with the TWG on Processes and Capacity Building, or representatives thereof, to confirm the assessment to be made in the twelve (12) JZ areas covered by this review and assessment including the approach and confirmation of the data to be collected and analysed and the format for the reporting on the assignment.
4. Gather and review materials relevant to the JSCC and the twelve (12) JZ areas including the assessment by EPJUST of the Justice Zone pilot in Quezon City carried out in 2016, the assessment undertaken by GOJUST I in 2019, the Progress Assessment Visits undertaken in March-April 2024 as well as other studies and international best practices for local area initiatives for improved cooperation, coordination and communication between the criminal justice agencies.
5. Conduct data collection of national-level data as well as local-level data via online meetings and/or face-to-face meetings, including with the JZ result area team.
6. Conduct key informant interviews and focus group discussions with a representative group of the key stakeholders of twelve (12) JZ excluding the newly established justice zones to include as a minimum, representatives from the local police, the prosecutors, public attorneys, local courts, detention facilities run by national and local governments, and prisons for convicted felons, Local Government Units, the Barangay Justice structures, relevant non-state justice providers and key civil society organizations active in the sector. 
7. Conduct an analysis of the effectiveness and impact of the coordinated approach as embodied by the Justice Zone model by contrasting the Justice Zones to comparable cities - to be identified - without Justice Zones.  
8. Consolidate and prepare a mission report with the findings and recommendations.
9. Present the findings and recommendations to the TAT and the JSCC through the TWG on Processes and Capacity Building.
10. Make necessary changes to the relevant report based on input received.

Skills and Competencies:

1. Fluent in spoken and written English
2. Excellent analytical competence, technical skills, and detail oriented
3. Excellent interpersonal skills
4. Ability to coordinate and communicate with key stakeholders
5. Good communication skills, both written and verbal
6. Active listening skills and strong writing skills
7. The ability to work independently and as a part of the team
8. A positive approach in a busy working environment

Qualifications:

1. Advanced university degree in law, public administration, criminal science or criminology, public policy, economics, statistics, political science or related field
2. Experience in sector coordination
3. Working knowledge on the basic procedures of criminal justice system
4. Experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
5. Experience in gathering, analysing and presenting data
6. Proven team leadership, team coordination and client liaison abilities.

General Professional Experience

1. Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, 5 of which should preferably be in developing countries.
2. Experience in the formulation of templates, guidelines, procedures, and standards for improvement of the criminal justice system.

Specific Professional Experience:

1. A minimum of five (5) years of practical involvement in the implementation of development programmes ideally in the justice sector
2. Experience in conducting research on justice sector issues 
3. Experience in multi-agency coordination 
4. Knowledge of Philippine Criminal Justice System.

Send the following to Lalaine Alfaro (Programme Officer), Lalaine.Alfaro@britishcouncil.org by 10 October 2024; 11:59 PM Manila time.

Email Subject: Senior Criminal Justice and Coordination Expert

1. Cover Letter
2. CV with three character references
3. Pricing Approach (please use the template attached)