UNICEF Zimbabwe international individual consultancy: To assess system capacity, bottlenecks and barriers in collecting, analysing, preserving and presenting physical and digital forensic evidence related to Sexual Gender Based Violence

The purpose of the consultancy is to assess system capacity, bottlenecks and barriers in collecting, analysing, preserving and presenting physical and digital forensic evidence related to Sexual Gender Based Violence and Harmful Practices and provide clear recommendations on down-, mid- and up-stream level on strengthening system capacity.

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TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background and Rationale

The Spotlight Initiative (SI)

In September 2017, the EU and the UN launched a joint partnership to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls worldwide. The Spotlight Initiative (SI) aims at mobilizing commitment of political leaders and contributing to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Initiative aims at ending all forms of violence against women and girls, targeting those that are most prevalent and contribute to gender inequality across the world. The Spotlight Initiative will deploy targeted, large-scale investments in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific and the Caribbean, aimed at achieving significant improvements in the lives of women and girls. Zimbabwe is one of the eight countries in Africa to benefit from this transformative initiative.

Purpose and Objectives of Forensic System Capacity Assessment

Overall Purpose

To assess system capacity, bottlenecks and barriers in collecting, analysing, preserving and presenting physical and digital forensic evidence related to SGBV and HP and provide clear recommendations on down-, mid- and up-stream level on strengthening system capacity.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives of the assessment are:

• To identify bottlenecks and barriers pertaining to seizure, collection, packaging, and transport of physical and digital forensic evidence, including protection from contamination and adherence to chain of custody rules;
• To assess system capacity in the forensically sound analysis of digital and physical forensic evidence, including the outsourcing of such analysis to private or academic institutions and foreign service providers;
• To provide concrete recommendations on down-, mid- and up-stream level system capacity strengthening, including, but not limited to, required equipment, forensic standards or guidelines and training.

Scope of work and Methodology

The assignment aims to assess system capacity, bottlenecks and barriers in collecting, analysing, preserving and presenting physical and digital forensic evidence related to SGBV and HP and provide clear recommendations on down-, mid- and up-stream level on strengthening system capacity.

In order provide a holistic and comprehensive insight into the forensic system capacity in Zimbabwe, the assessment will be conducted on a national, provincial and district level. Appropriate provinces and districts from the Spotlight Initiative focus areas for a representative assessment will be determined by ZRP in collaboration with other key stakeholders and UNICEF. The consultant will engage with relevant stakeholders from the Government of Zimbabwe, including relevant departments within ZRP, National Prosecuting Authority, Judicial Service Commission and Ministry of Health and Childcare; the University of Zimbabwe as well as relevant CSOs providing services to survivors of sexual violence on a national, provincial and district level. Further, the consultant will work closely with ZRP to gain insight and understand the challenges in crime scene management, transport of forensic evidence and analysis of forensic evidence on national, provincial and district level.

The consultants will focus, inter alia, on the below assessment areas:

Status of forensic investigation:

• Is forensic investigation a government priority?
• Are forensic services used for all types of SGBV and HP offences?
• What is the current volume of forensic evidence analysis?

Forensic infrastructure:

• Do forensic services providers exist and what services do they provide? Are they available in de-centralised places? Do investigative agencies understand how to use forensic services?
• Are there dedicated crime scene investigation services? How is the transport of evidence samples from the crime scene to the lab handled and by whom?
• Are forensic medical experts available? What qualifications do they have? Which reports are generated? To which country are which services outsourced?

Crime scene investigation:

• What is the role and responsibilities of first respondents in terms of protection and preservation of the scene? What is the training level of first respondents? Which tools do they use for preservation and documentation of the crime scene?
• Are dedicated crime scene investigations services available and what exactly are their roles and responsibilities? What is their training level? How is the work performed and managed, are there any guiding protocols in place? Are there any quality assurance mechanisms in place? How is work between first respondents, crime scene investigation and forensic laboratory coordinated?

Forensic analysis and examinations:

• What is the legal status of the laboratories and how do the laboratories collaborate with other service providers? What is the scope of services offered by the laboratories? What are the disciplines/sub-disciplines offered?
• Who can submit samples to the laboratories for evidence? Are submissions from law enforcement prioritized? Are there different procedures for law enforcement and non-law enforcement submissions?
• Who is the laboratory staff and what is their level of education and training? Is the current staffing sufficient and if not, in which areas is additional staff/training required? Have the forensic medical experts received distinct forensic medical training or are their general medical practitioners?
• Are the laboratory facilities fit for purpose? How many laboratory rooms are available and what are they used for? How is evidence stored and how is access to sensitive areas controlled?
• How are samples handled during examinations and analysis? How is the procedure documented and the integrity of the evidence maintained?

It has to be noted that this consultancy does not include an in-depth analysis on the legal framework around handling and presentation of physical and digital evidence, including chain of custody, law of evidence and admissibility and presentation of evidence in court. As indicated earlier, this area of the forensic system capacity assessment will be carried out by a Zimbabwean legal expert, who will work closely with the international forensics expert to provide a holistic and comprehensive assessment from both a forensics and legal angle.

Roles and Responsibilities

• UNICEF will oversee and guide the consultant. The assessment will be directly managed by the UNICEF Child Justice and Legal Reform Officer with support from the UN Spotlight Initiative inter-agency technical team. UNICEF will be responsible for convening, coordinating and technically supporting the assessment in close collaboration with the SI Technical Coordination Unit.
• Consultant must comply with global and local PSEA (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) guidelines and standards. The consultant is expected to complete UNICEF mandatory training courses[1].

Expected Deliverables

Reporting

The consultant will meet frequently with the Spotlight Initiative Technical Coordination Unit, members of the programmes team, and UNICEF to discuss progress updates. Ad hoc meetings may be convened as per need.

Consultancy Requirements

• Master’s degree in relevant fields (forensic science, forensic chemistry, forensic biology, computer forensics or related field).
• At least ten years of proven experience in forensic science in a law enforcement context both pertaining to physical and digital evidence required.
• Professional experience in collection, transport, analysis and presentation of forensic evidence in sexual violence cases required.
• Previous experience conducting forensics system capacity assessments science required.
• Previous experience in working in a developing or humanitarian context, in particular in Southern Africa, desirable.
• Fluency in English and ability to write clearly and concisely in English is required.

Application Procedure

• If you meet the entry qualifications and you are interested and available to undertake the consultancy assignment, please submit your application online, upload your cover letter, highest academic qualification, CV, technical and an all-inclusive financial proposal detailing your professional fees, including travel, per-diem, car rentals/taxis, internet cost, communication cost, incidentals, etc. for delivering the assignment.
• The selection process will be competitive.
• UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
• UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.