Consultancy – COURT ANNEXED ADR SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) through the Community Justice Programme funded by Sweden in Uganda supports the adoption of people-centred approaches in the delivery of justice. Specifically, through the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in the dispensation of justice. In partnership with the Judiciary, IDLO is seeking the services of a national expert to support the operationalisation of the Judiciary’s Alternative Justice Systems Strategy (AJS-Strategy) and re-engineer the court-annexed mediation programme of the Judiciary.

This will be achieved by reviewing the AJS-Strategy and the existing Court Annexed Mediation framework to provide a work plan for the operationalisation of the AJS-Strategy, draft the AJS referral guidelines, and propose Terms of Reference for the AJS Committee of the Judiciary.

To re-engineer the court-annexed mediation, the expert will be required to review the existing legal framework for mediation, provide recommendations for amendment of existing rules, and develop the following: 1. Court Annexed Mediation Rules 2. Registrar’s handbook and registry protocol on Court Annexed Mediation 3. Guidelines for accreditation of mediators 4. Guidelines of accreditation of Mediation training institutions 5. Code of Conduct for Mediators. 6. Performance management tool for mediators and 7. Terms of Reference for the Judiciary’s ADR Committee.

Therefore, under the supervision of the Judiciary and in coordination with IDLO, the consultant will be responsible for undertaking the following specific tasks:

1. Conduct inception meetings with the Judiciary of Uganda ADR Committee and IDLO to clarify and agree on approaches and content.
2. Submit report on proposals for legal reform following review of mediation legal framework
3. Submit the draft court-annexed mediation rules
4. Submit the draft Registrar’s handbook and registry protocol on Court Annexed Mediation
5. Submit draft Guidelines for accreditation of mediators
6. Submit draft Guidelines for the accreditation of Mediation training institutions
7. Submit a draft Code of Conduct for Mediators.
8. Develop a draft Performance management tool for mediators and
9. Review and propose draft Terms of Reference for the oversight of the Court Annexed Mediation.
10. Develop an operationalisation plan for the AJS- Strategy, including a 2-year work plan
11. Draft AJS referral guidelines
12. Review and propose a framework for operationalisation of the AJS Strategy.
13. To undertake trainings on the approved documents for all stakeholders.

Deliverables:

The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

1. Report on proposals for legal reform of mediation legal framework & Draft court-annexed mediation rules
2. Draft Registrar’s handbook and registry protocol on Court Annexed Mediation
3. Draft Guidelines for accreditation of mediators
4. Draft Guidelines for the accreditation of Mediation training institutions
5. Draft Code of Conduct for Mediators.
6. Draft Performance management tool for mediators
7. Draft Terms of Reference for the oversight of the Court Annexed Mediation.
8. Develop an operationalisation plan for the AJS- Strategy, including a 2-year work plan
9. Draft AJS referral guidelines
10. Framework for operationalisation of the AJS Strategy.
11. Training report of stakeholders on the new framework

Academic qualifications:

• Relevant postgraduate qualification in social sciences, psychology, law or dispute resolution

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in ADR
• Experience in developing ADR systems and structures
• Experience working with the Ugandan justice system would be an additional advantage

IDLO is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome applications from qualified and diverse candidates. IDLO is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance at all levels within its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature, or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks on all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

Application deadline: 24 July 2024, 17:00hrs (East Africa Time).