The International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), in collaboration with consortium partners, is implementing the Damal Programme — “Strengthening the Social Contract through Access to Justice” — funded by the Government of the Netherlands. The programme is implemented in Somaliland and aims to promote a modernised, inclusive, and community-responsive justice system, including the establishment and operationalisation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centres. The overall goal of the programme is to contribute to an enhanced social contract between the people and justice providers by increasing the legitimacy of justice institutions. This is pursued through three intermediate outcomes:

1. Improved access to ADR mechanisms and referral pathways, particularly for vulnerable groups.
2. Strengthened access to formal justice for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and other vulnerable groups through holistic support.
3. Enhanced citizen participation in accountability processes related to justice and security service delivery.

Each ADR Centre is mandated to facilitate community-based dispute resolution, promote customary justice practices aligned with human rights standards, and connect communities with broader justice services. These Centres aim to improve access to justice for women, youth, and marginalised communities. Through this consultancy, IDLO seeks a national consultant to provide training for the ADR Centre and accompaniment referral staff. The objective is to strengthen the capacity of frontline justice actors to deliver high-quality, responsive, and continuous assistance to vulnerable clients throughout the justice process, in accordance with national laws and international human rights obligations.

The training will include foundational principles for all sensitive cases with a significant focus on survivor-centred, trauma-informed approaches to GBV and Violence Against Children (VAC). Under the direct supervision of the Field Program Manager, the consultant will collaborate with other Damal programme staff and implementing partners based in Somaliland. The consultant shall:

• Facilitate consultation with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) on identifying learning needs, drafting the training material, including presentations and training guidelines for ADR centres.
• Develop a methodology and prepare a work plan to conduct three (3) training sessions for the ADR centres.
• Conduct three (3) three-day trainings based on the identified training needs and the relevant ADR centres’ staff.

Deliverables:

• A three-page Inception Report detailing the proposed methodology and agreed work plan is to be submitted within 5 days of the date of contract signing.
• Submission of the final training report with recommendations.
• Training deliverables include: (a) Provide three (3) three-day trainings in Hargeisa (1), Erigavo (1) and Burao (1) to implementing partners and stakeholders; (b) Detailed training plan (including objectives, methodology to be adopted, training modules and schedule), to be sent in Microsoft Word format via electronic submission to the PM within five days after the signature of the agreement. The training plan should be a minimum of 3 pages max; (c) PowerPoint presentations, as well as training approaches for participants (i.e., case studies, group work, brainstorming, discussions, etc.), are to be sent via electronic submission to the PM for review and input; and (d) Pre-/post-test evaluation form to be utilised for each training session, as well as completed pre-/post-test evaluation sheets. Completed forms are to be submitted electronically to the PM.
• A comprehensive assessment detailing the necessary steps and institutional strengths the MoJ will need to take over these trainings in the future successfully.

Education and Professional Experience

• Advanced degree in Law, Gender Studies, International Development, Human Rights, or related fields.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in the legal sector and ADR system, with a strong preference for experience in the protection of GBV victims and survivors.
• Minimum 5 years’ working experience in facilitating trainings/workshops on justice, legal system, and case management.
• Field experience in Somaliland or similar post-conflict or fragile settings is an advantage.

Languages

• Native or fluent proficiency in Somali and excellent working proficiency in English, both of which are required for effective training delivery, reporting, and material development.

Specific knowledge, skills, and competencies

• Comprehensive legal expertise in Somaliland’s justice sector, including a strong understanding of access to justice, gender-based violence (GBV) frameworks, and referral mechanisms under the national legal system.
• In-depth knowledge of Somaliland’s justice systems, both formal and informal, and their roles in the protection of GBV victims, survivors, and children, including familiarity with statutory law, customary practices (xeer), and child-friendly justice mechanisms.
• Extensive experience in legal consultancy, policy development, and justice sector reform within Somaliland, particularly in the Eastern regions.
• Demonstrated analytical, legal research, facilitation, and legal drafting skills, with a proven ability to produce high-quality reports and legal documents.
• Proven ability to work in multicultural and sensitive contexts.

The Consultant will be based in Hargeisa, Somaliland, with travel to selected ADR centres. The expected level of effort is 45 working days. The Consultant will be offered a lump-sum fee inclusive of all costs (travel, accommodation, DSA, taxes).

Applications will be screened on a regular basis; a qualified applicant may be recruited before the deadline. In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds. 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 of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

Application deadline: 9 March 2026 (23:59hrs Rome Time).