Result of ServicePhase. Activities. Modality. Duration. Percentage of payment. Phase 1: Data collection and drafting of preliminary report. Discussions with consultancy supervisors and focal points of the ministries concerned. From a distance. 4 weeks (20 working days). 20% Documentary review. From a distance. Interviews with selected stakeholders. From a distance. Phase 1 deliverables (no later than 4 weeks after the start of the consultancy): Concept note, detailed diagnostic report and preliminary consultancy report. Phase 2: Formulation of recommendations and organization of consultation workshops. Stakeholder interviews and site visits. Face-to-face. 4 weeks (20 working days). 40% Organization of two consultation workshops (exchanges on diagnosis and reform proposals) Face-to-face. Phase 2 deliverables (no later than 4 weeks after the end of phase 1): Workshop report. Phase 3: Finalization of the report and presentation to the authorities. Drafting of the consultancy report and reform implementation plan and comparative analysis Face-to-face. 2 weeks (10 working days) 40% Organization of a workshop to present the consultancy's final report and the reform implementation plan Face-to-face. 1 week (5 working days) Finalization of the consultancy report and reform implementation plan, incorporating comments and proposals received during the report presentation workshop. From a distance. 1 week (5 working days) Phase 3 deliverables (no later than 4 weeks after the end of phase 2): Final consultancy report, reform implementation plan. Work LocationMINUSCA Expected duration03 months, with the possibility of an extension (free of charge) depending on the progress of the work. • Phase 1 (1st month): Data collection and drafting of preliminary report. • Phase 2 (2nd month): Formulation of recommendations and organization of consultation workshops. • Phase 3 (3rd month): Finalization of the consultancy report and presentation to the authorities. Duties and ResponsibilitiesOverall objective. The overall objective of this consultancy is to carry out a comprehensive assessment of military justice in the Central African Republic, and to propose strategic lines of reform with a view to improving its effectiveness, accountability, transparency and independence. Specific objectives. 1. The current state of military justice. o Identify the legislative and regulatory texts governing military justice, as well as their actual application in the field. o Analyze the institutional structure, skills and resources available for military justice. o Carry out an exhaustive diagnosis of the current structures, procedures and actors of military justice in the Central African Republic. 2. Malfunction assessment. o Examine the causes of existing flaws and shortcomings in the application and administrative operation of military justice in particular. . o Evaluate the correlations between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of National Defense. o Analyze the influence of the military and political authorities on military judicial decisions. 3. Reform proposals. a) Institutional reforms and governance. Propose administrative and legal reforms to improve the proper management and supervision of military affairs, limiting the risks of corruption and interference of any kind. b) Independence and accountability. Propose measures to strengthen the independence of military magistrates from the authorities of military and political institutions. c) Efficiency and speed of procedures. Propose mechanisms to speed up the processing of cases before military courts, while guaranteeing respect for the rights of the defense and due process. d) Creation of a corps of specialized magistrates. Examine the relevance, timeliness and feasibility of creating a corps of specialized, independent civilian and military magistrates trained in the specificities of military affairs. IV. Expected results. 1. Concept note on the main thrusts of the consultancy assignment and expected results. 2. Detailed diagnostic report on the state of military justice in CAR, including an analysis of current dysfunctions, strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats to the system and identifying the root causes of institutional, procedural and operational flaws. 3. Preliminary report on the start of the consultancy. 4. Workshop reports. 5. Final report containing proposals for military justice reform, focusing on the strategic lines to be adopted during the process. 6. A plan for implementing the reforms, including a precise timetable and proposed monitoring mechanisms. V. Methodology The consultant will use a mixed approach, including: 1. Documentary analysis (remote). o Study current legislation and regulations relating to military justice in the Central African Republic, as well as all conventions duly ratified by the Central African Republic. o Analyze previous reports and studies on military justice and judicial reform in CAR and other countries with similar legal traditions and practices. 2. Stakeholder interviews - (remote and face-to-face). o Conduct interviews with the main Central African players involved in military justice (magistrates, military officers, judicial personnel, etc.), as well as with representatives of the institutions concerned (Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Justice). o The possibility of field trips (Bambari and Bouar military courts) to get a close-up view of the challenges involved in putting the military justice system into action. o Involve civil society organizations and international partners (European Delegation, UNDP, EUTM, MINUSCA J&C, ABA and American Embassy, etc.) involved in supporting justice and judicial reform in CAR. 3. Consultation/validation workshops (face-to-face). o Organize participatory workshops with stakeholders to discuss the diagnosis, key findings and proposed recommendations. 4. Analyse comparative. o Compare the military justice system in CAR with other systems in countries in the region facing similar challenges, Qualifications/special skillsA master’s degree (or higher) in law (military law, international humanitarian law, human rights law, or a related field) is required. At least 10 years' proven experience in the field of military justice in Central and West Africa in contexts similar to CAR (conflict or post-conflict or with the same legal tradition) is required. Expertise in the analysis of judicial systems, institutional reforms in the judiciary and governance in the justice sector; Proven experience in the design, implementation or evaluation of military justice reforms, notably in collaboration with governmental and military institutions; Knowledge of the legal and operational challenges facing military justice systems in their transition from conflict to peace is desirable. Experience in capacity-building projects in fragile or conflict-affected environments would be a significant asset; In-depth knowledge of international standards relating to military justice; Ability to navigate complex political environments and interact sensitively with military, civilian and international stakeholders Experience in research, analysis and report writing, particularly in the fields of legal reform or military justice is desirable. Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Ability to write comprehensive reports, policy papers, and make concise presentations to a variety of audiences; Strong analytical skills to identify systemic issues and develop sustainable, context-specific solutions. Experience in research, analysis and report writing, particularly in the fields of legal reform or military justice. Demonstrated intercultural competence and experience of working in diverse and challenging environments is required. Candidates are asked to include a Detailed Work Plan (DWP) or technical proposal in their application. This document must contain: • A detailed methodology describing the steps involved in carrying out the assignment. • A precise timetable, indicating targets, planned activities and estimated deadlines. • Expected deliverables, with an estimated timetable. This document is mandatory and will be used to assess the candidate's understanding of the mission requirements and his or her ability to meet them effectively. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, excellent written and verbal skills in French are required. Knowledge of English is desirable. Additional InformationBackground and rationale. The Central African Republic (CAR) is engaged in a process of reforming its judicial institutions to strengthen the rule of law and improve governance. The military justice system, in particular, has seen some progress with the adoption of law number 17.012 of March 24, 2017, on the code of military justice (creation of the Bangui, Bouar and Bambari military jurisdictions, appointment of staff, holding of correctional hearings and court martial by the Bangui military jurisdictions). However, the application of military justice continues to face major challenges: systematic confusion between sanctionable and judiciable cases within the armed forces and their institutions, organic dysfunctions, slowness and defects in procedures, lack of independence of magistrates assigned to military jurisdictions and interference by certain authorities, insufficient resources, particularly the budget allocated to the operation of military jurisdictions, absence of specialized corps, and lack of accountability. The Central African authorities recognize that these dysfunctions affect in many ways the credibility of the judicial system in general, and public confidence in military justice in particular, and are detrimental to the professionalization and accountability of the defense apparatus, as well as to the country's security. It is in this context that, in a letter dated September 25, 2024, addressed to the Head of MINUSCA, the Minister of State in charge of Justice, Human Rights and Good Governance requested external assistance in the context of security sector reform, for the purposes of providing an independent expert. In her reply dated October 7, 2024, the head of MINUSCA gave her approval for the recruitment of an international consultant to carry out an in-depth assessment of military justice, formulate concrete recommendations and propose institutional reforms. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.