Result of Servicea) Inception Report Completed – Including methodology, data collection tools, and workplan, informed by stakeholder input from the inception meeting. b) Situational Analysis Finalized – Assessing implementation of the 2017 Criminal Justice Sector Audit recommendations and identifying key interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral issues. c) Policy Meta-Analysis Submitted – Consolidated review of policy documents from justice sector agencies and development partners, covering legal, social, and normative frameworks. d) Thematic Issue Reviews Completed – Covering emerging justice sector challenges, including regulatory frameworks, digital evidence, non-custodial measures, case management, inter-agency coordination, resource utilization, and prison overcrowding. e) Strategic Action Plan Prepared – Outlining theory of change, key result areas (KRAs), strategic objectives, and priority programs for transforming the criminal justice sector. f) Implementation Matrix Finalized – Detailing activities, responsible institutions, timelines, and performance indicators aligned with the strategic objectives. Work LocationNairobi, Kenya with travels to PLEAD II focal counties Expected duration80 Working Days; 01 September 2025 - 30 March 2026 Duties and Responsibilities1. Background of the Assignment As the global guardian of United Nations standards in crime prevention and criminal justice, UNODC works to strengthen the rule of law by promoting fair, humane, and accountable justice systems. It supports Member States with expert guidance to develop responsible crime prevention strategies, strengthen institutions, and ensure criminal justice systems function effectively while upholding human rights and protecting vulnerable groups. Under the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, UNODC is implementing Phase II of the Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery (PLEAD), aiming to reinforce the rule of law, improve access to justice, and increase efficiency and accountability in the justice system. The project also promotes the use of technology, counters corruption, and targets the systemic barriers that hinder service delivery, particularly for marginalized communities in Kenya. UNODC's PLEAD II component focuses on supporting key institutions in the criminal justice chain, including the Judiciary, ODPP, NCAJ, PACS, WPA, DCS, EACC, KPS, and NPS. In partnership with NCAJ, UNODC will conduct an enhanced Criminal Justice Sector Audit to assess progress since 2017, identify persistent gaps and challenges, and provide evidence-based recommendations to improve justice sector effectiveness, accountability, and inclusivity. 2. Purpose of the assignment The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), established under Section 34 of the Judicial Service Act, serves as a high-level policy, oversight, and coordination body for Kenya’s justice sector. To advance its reform agenda, NCAJ formed the National Committee on Criminal Justice Reforms, which now seeks to build on the 2017 Criminal Justice Sector Audit by conducting a comprehensive review to assess progress, identify persistent and emerging challenges, and guide evidence-based reforms for a more effective, accountable, and people-centered justice system. This updated audit will align with national priorities such as Vision 2030, the Constitution of Kenya 2010, and the Public Finance Management Act, as well as regional and international human rights standards. It also supports the NCAJ Strategic Plan 2021–2026, which prioritizes deeper reforms and stronger monitoring across the justice system. The consultancy will evaluate the implementation of past recommendations, assess institutional performance and coordination, identify systemic gaps, and provide actionable, evidence-based recommendations to strengthen Kenya’s criminal justice system. 3. Specific Tasks to be performed by the consultant: The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme UNODC ROEA, direct supervision of the Programme Manager in coordination with the Programme officer and work closely with the NCAJ Secretariat in performing the following substantive duties and responsibilities. The scope of work will cover the full project cycle, from assessment to implementation support, and will focus on delivering the following tasks: a) Develop an inception report, including methodology, data collection tools and workplan. This shall be informed by the inception meeting that provides stakeholder recommendations and input submitted for consideration. b) Develop a detailed situational analysis to feature the following tasks: i. Analyse the status of implementation of the 2017 Criminal Justice Sector Audit recommendations: To achieve this, the task will entail broad participation of all justice sector agencies and collecting and analysing relevant data that identifies inter-disciplinary (social, legal and socio-legal) and inter-sectoral policy issues. It will further include a meta-analysis of policy documents developed by various agencies and development partners in the criminal justice sector. ii. Investigate emerging issues in the criminal justice sector and identifying shortcomings as well as making recommendations for implementation. Some of the emerging issues include but are not limited to: • A review of the existing regulatory framework (laws, practices and procedures) applied at all levels of the criminal justice process and system e.g. bail and sentencing practices; remand and appeal inmates, self-representing litigants and persons requiring further consideration (vulnerable groups etc.); • A review of emerging issues relating to evidence and criminal procedure, and their impact on the finalisation of criminal cases; including issues relating to digital evidence. • A review of current practices on non-custodial measures and corrective sanctions, post penal supervision and their impact on • A review of current practices and procedures relating to active case management and case-flow management including the role of information technology and the methodologies relating to data collection. • A review of current practices or processes relating to the co-ordination and co-operation across the whole of the criminal justice sector, especially between Independent Offices, Ministries, Departments, and agencies; including the use of information technology and the methodologies relating to data collection. • A review of the existing budget, human and other resources used in the criminal justice processes, including the roles and responsibilities of the various role-players and the relationship between the various role players; including how the impact efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice process • A review of the overcrowding of prisons and the causes thereof, including the impact of bail and sentencing practices and laws, and awaiting trial prisoners, overcrowding of prisons, This should cover, among others, compliance with constitutional and other domestic laws, including new jurisprudence, national policy frameworks, and other human rights instruments. It should also cover Regional and International legal and normative frameworks including the various UNODC Standard Minimum Rules and guidance documents for the criminal justice system. c) Drawing from (1) and (2) above, prepare a strategic Action Plan on priority reform areas in the Criminal Justice Sector informed by the situational analysis above and covering: i. An appropriate theory of change for Kenya’s Criminal justice sector that captures transformation of the CJS into a modernised and responsive system, through integrated interventions that are institutionally aligned. ii. Thematic areas or Key result areas for Kenya’s Criminal justice sector iii. For each KRA identified in (a) above, identify and list strategic objectives iv. For each strategic objective, identify and list priority programs and activities that will transform Kenya’s CJS. v. A detailed implementation matrix Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university (Master or equivalent) degree in law, criminology, public administration or policy, governance or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. a) A minimum of five years of experience in institutional policy analysis, research and reforms, strategic planning, multi-institutional or sectoral assessments and analysis, institutional audits and governance assessments is required. b) Strong knowledge of Kenya’s criminal justice system and its intersectionality with applicable regional and international legal and normative frameworks, experiences and good practices. Experience in international or multi-national assignments is desirable. c) Understanding of the NCAJ mandate and functionality, as well as its nexus with national priorities on good governance, enhancement of the rule of law, and sustainable development is desirable. d) Experience working with the United Nations, or a similar international organization, is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations Secretariat languages is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. 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.