SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY: DEVELOPMENT OF CASE MONITORING PROTOCOLS AND PROCEDURES FOR TIP CASE REPORTING, MONITORING AND INVESTIGATION – LIBERIA

BACKGROUND

IDLO is an inter-governmental organization exclusively devoted to promoting the rule of law. Starting in September 2019, IDLO has been implementing a project that focuses on ­­ “Fighting Trafficking in Persons (Tip) In Liberia”, with support from the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). Given its mandate, IDLO focuses on providing technical and capacity building support to the Government of Liberia to counter trafficking in persons through enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement and justice actors in their response to trafficking in persons in Liberia. This work builds on current efforts by the Government of Liberia to combat trafficking in persons and expand on the joint achievements of the previously IDLO-implemented: “Strengthening the Capacity of the Police and Other Law Enforcement Agencies to Effectively Respond to Trafficking in Persons Project” (TIP Project).

IDLO’s current project is supporting the efforts of the Government of Liberia to combat trafficking in persons in all its forms, given that Liberia is classified as “Tier 2 Watch List” by the 2019 report on trafficking in persons. As the report points out, Liberia, sadly, remains both a source and destination country for trafficked persons, especially women and children. The Government of Liberia is cognizant of the challenges of trafficking in persons and has taken some steps to address the issue. For example, in 2018/19, the National Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons’ developed a five-year National Action Plan 2019-2023 (NAP) to address trafficking in persons. The current NAP focuses on four key areas: prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership. With the support of IDLO, the Government of Liberia’s new NAP is a sign of the Government’s commitment and exertion of political will to mount an increasingly robust response to the problem of trafficking in persons (TIP).

While the Government continues to make strides in fighting TIP, convictions are still low and challenges remain in implementing an effective response to TIP in Liberia. For instance, according to the 2019 U.S. State Department report on TIP, the Government of Liberia investigated 5 cases, initiated prosecutions of 2 defendants, and convicted 1 trafficker, compared with 4 investigations, 4 prosecutions, and 4 convictions in the previous reporting period. In other cases, prosecutors may have pursued other charges, including rape, in lieu of sex trafficking. Another challenge has been the lack of understanding of the definition and scope of TIP, in particular domestic TIP, which is often misreported as gender-based violence or unfair labor practices/child labor. Similarly, there is need to strengthen case reporting, monitoring and investigation of TIP cases. One of the challenges facing Liberia’s fight against TIP is the lack of coordinated mechanisms to report, monitor, and track investigation of TIP cases. The absence of an effective case reporting, monitoring and investigation mechanism translates into lack of easy to access and verifiable data on TIP cases. 

THE ASSISGNMENT

Against this background, IDLO intends to support the development and implementation of case monitoring protocols and procedures for law enforcement officers. Through the Judicial Institute, IDLO will support for the development of case monitoring protocols and procedures for law enforcement officers to enhance their capacity. The case monitoring protocols and procedures will support the reporting, monitoring, tracking progress and investigation of TIP cases. To ensure effective use and application of the case monitoring protocols and procedures, it is expected that the developed protocols and procedures will be suited to the needs of law enforcement officers in Liberia, and responsive to the needs of TIP victims. The development of these protocols and procedures will provide law enforcement officials with the material resources needed to more effectively report, monitor, track progress of and investigate TIP cases.

IDLO therefore seeks the services of an expert to undertake the development of case monitoring protocols and procedures for reporting, monitoring, tracking progress of and investigating TIP cases for law enforcement officers in Liberia.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review existing literature, reports, studies and legal and policy frameworks on TIP in Liberia.
•  Review existing case reporting, monitoring, tracking and investigation feedback loops in law enforcement.
• Through fieldwork understand the practical aspects, opportunities and limitations impacting on any case monitoring, reporting, tracking and investigation processes by law enforcement officers in Liberia.
• Develop simple and practical case monitoring protocols and procedures to enhance the investigation, reporting, tracking and monitoring of TIP cases by law enforcement officers. The case monitoring protocols and procedures should provide a simple but effective roadmap to guide reporting, monitoring, tracking and investigation of TIP cases.
• Facilitate consultations and stakeholder roundtable workshop to review and validate the draft case monitoring, reporting, tracking and investigation protocols and procedures.
• Prepare a final version of the case monitoring, reporting, tracking and investigation protocols and procedures for law enforcement officers.     

DELIVERABLES

The consultant shall deliver the following deliverables;

• An inception report detailing the understanding of the terms of reference, proposed methodology, layout of the proposed case monitoring, reporting, tracking and investigation protocols and procedures, with a work plan indicating clear timelines and milestones.
• A draft case monitoring, reporting, tracking and investigation protocols and procedures.
• Facilitate consultations and stakeholder roundtable workshop to review and validate the draft case monitoring, reporting, tracking and investigation protocols and procedures.
• Final practical comprehensive case monitoring, reporting, tracking and investigation protocols and procedures for law enforcement officers in Liberia.

 The Expert will, at all times, be guided by these terms of reference and will:

• Carry out the services and perform his or her tasks with reasonable care, skill and in an efficient and professional manner.
• Ensure a high degree of quality in his/her output.
• Observe strict confidentiality.
• Carry out tasks, presenting outputs to IDLO on/or before agreed deadlines.
• Be guided by these terms of reference.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Work Experience     

• Hold and advanced University degree in Law/Social science/Education/Policing.
• Must have a background in law enforcement and in particular in investigations, case reporting, monitoring and management, and prosecution of TIP cases in a context relevant to or related as Liberia.
• Experience in developing law enforcement protocols and procedures.  
• At least fifteen years in law enforcement and security sector training or at least fifteen years’ experience as a law enforcement officer.
• Demonstrated experience in developing similar content and experience in adult training.

 he following attributes would be an added advantage;

• Experience in post conflict country, preferably in West Africa.
• Expertise in curriculum development for access to justice, rule of law, sexual and gender-based violence, and human rights, with knowledge and experience on trafficking in person.  
• Experience developing tools and resources for law enforcement agencies.

The Consultant will report to the IDLO Liberia Country Manager and/or to any other reporting line as may be determined by IDLO Liberia.

ESTIMATED TIMEFRAME

The assignment will commence on 2nd March to 3rd April 2020. The work will be undertaken over a period of 30 (thirty) working days. The assignment will be undertaken on an output basis at lump sum rate to be spread across the delivery period for the services rendered in furtherance of these terms of reference.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Terms and conditions will be set according to the program implementation needs. Candidates should prove their ability to work and travel to and in Liberia

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

DISCLAIMER 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Contractor assigned to this work. This may not be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.