Consultancy: Development and Presentation of a Research Paper on Delivering Justice for Sexual Offences Survivors in Sierra Leone

TERMS OF REFERENCE

CONSULTANCY: Development and Presentation of a Research Paper on Delivering Justice for Sexual Offences Survivors in Sierra Leone

1. Background

Equality Now is a worldwide human rights organisation dedicated to securing the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against all women and girls, everywhere in the world. Working with partners at national, regional and global levels, Equality Now draws on deep legal expertise and a diverse range of social, political and cultural perspectives to continue to lead the way in steering, shaping and driving the change needed to achieve enduring gender equality to the benefit of all.

As part of its ongoing work under the Rape Laws in Africa initiative, Equality Now, together with WAVES Sierra Leone, Defence for Children International Sierra Leone (DCI-SL), and Child Welfare Society Sierra Leone (CWS-SL), is organizing a high-level convening titled “Convening on the Implementation of Rape Laws in Africa: Advancing Access to Justice for Survivors of sexual offences in Sierra Leone”, scheduled for 6–7 October 2026 in Freetown. The rationale for the research is that there is no single authoritative, up-to-date, comprehensive paper that combines a deep dive into the four specific districts (Bo, Kenema, Western Rural, Freetown) with strong comparative analysis from Africa and South-South, including South American and Asian models. Thus this proposed paper will fill this gap, especially with recent case jurisprudence and survivor-centred recommendations. The paper will also be used during a key session in the upcoming convening in October 2026, and advocacy with government officers, to feature high-level analytical research focusing on improving the effectiveness of the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police and the Sierra Leone and the Model Sexual Offences Courts in delivering justice for survivors of sexual offences in Bo, Kenema, Western Rural area, and Freetown Districts.

2. Scope of Assignment

Equality Now seeks to engage a consultant (preferably a current or retired Judge of the Model Sexual Offences Court in Sierra Leone, or a senior State Counsel / Practising lawyer with extensive experience in guiding the investigation and prosecution of sexual offences cases in Sierra Leone) to:

• Develop a well-researched, authoritative paper titled: “Delivering Justice for Survivors of Offences in Sierra Leone: Achievements and Lessons of the Family Support Unit (FSU) and the Model Sexual Offences Courts in Bo, Kenema, Western Rural, and Freetown districts with Comparative Perspectives from Africa and South-South, South American and Asia regions”
• Present the paper during the convening on 7th October 2026, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Key tasks include:

• Conduct a focused desk review and analysis of the roles of the Family Support Unit (FSU) and the Model Sexual Offences Courts specifically in Bo, Kenema, Western Rural, and Freetown districts; with a specific focus on barriers to access to justice for survivors of rape.
• Assess achievements, operational challenges, survivor experiences, coordination with support services, and lessons learned in these locations.
• Provide a comparative analysis of selected African and South-South Latin American and Asian models (including Kenya’s Gender Justice Courts, South Africa’s Sexual Offences Courts & Thuthuzela Centres, Rwanda’s Isange One Stop Centres, Colombia, etc.).
• Highlight good practices, systemic gaps, and actionable recommendations for strengthening these institutions.
• Incorporate relevant case studies and court jurisprudence from concluded cases from the FSU and the model Sexual Offences in the listed districts and locus classicus cases at the national level.
• Deliver the final paper in a clear, policy-oriented format suitable for high-level judicial, civil society and government audiences.
• Present the paper (20–25 minutes) during the convening, followed by a moderated discussion.

3. Deliverables

The key deliverables of the consultancy are as follows:

• Inception report outlining the proposed structure, methodology, and focus on the four locations (Bo, Kenema, Western Rural, Freetown).
• Draft paper (maximum 15 - 20 pages) for review and feedback.
• Final paper, incorporating comments from Equality Now and its partners, is ready for publication and dissemination.
• PowerPoint presentation for delivery at the convening.
• Presentation of the paper during the convening on 7th October 2026.

4. Timeline

The consultancy will run from 1st August to 15th October 2026.

5. Qualifications and Experience

The ideal consultant must be a current or recently retired Judge, or a senior State Counsel or practising lawyer with direct and extensive experience in handling sexual offences cases. Required qualifications include:

• Significant judicial or prosecutorial experience in SGBV / sexual offences matters, with familiarity with the operations of the FSU and Model Sexual Offences Courts in Bo, Kenema, Western Rural, and Freetown.
• Strong analytical and writing skills with a proven track record of authoring policy papers or judgments.
• Excellent presentation and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to survivor-centred and trauma-informed justice.

6. Budget

Total consultancy fee: 2,500 USD inclusive of all applicable taxes

7. Payment Schedule

Payment will be made upon submission and written approval of deliverables:

• 30% upon approval of Inception Report
• 40% upon submission and approval of Draft Paper
• 30% upon submission of Final Paper, presentation slides, and successful delivery at the convening.

Submission Requirements

Interested candidates should submit to equalitynownairobi@equalitynow.org and copy jmurunga@equalitynow.org:

• A brief proposal (2 pages) outlining their approach and understanding of the assignment, with specific reference to the four locations.
• Updated CV highlighting relevant legal/judicial/prosecutorial experience.
• Sample of previous written work (judgment, policy paper, or article).

Application Deadline: 31st July 2026