Access to Justice Consultant
Organizational Context
UN Women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is implementing the "Soim Wokabout: Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme" to reduce GBV and strengthen access to justice for survivors. This initiative, funded by NDICI Global Europe, aims to scale up integrated approaches, improve referral pathways, and address harmful norms. The programme aligns with PNG's legal framework and international human rights obligations, focusing on SDG 5, 10, and 16.
Job Purpose
This consultancy aims to enhance the capacity of medical, legal, and police service providers in Papua New Guinea to deliver survivor-centred, gender-responsive, and coordinated services. The role will focus on improving women's and girls' access to justice by strengthening referral pathways, investigative services, and rehabilitation support. A key objective is to address the weak medical-legal link in the justice system, which contributes to low conviction rates for sexual violence cases. The consultant will provide technical legal advice to ensure medico-legal procedures comply with national legislation, evidentiary requirements, and international human rights standards, thereby improving the admissibility and reliability of evidence and overall access to justice for GBV survivors.
Responsibilities
The consultant will provide expert technical assistance to strengthen medico-legal procedures and improve access to justice for GBV survivors in Papua New Guinea. Key responsibilities include conducting consultations with stakeholders (police, judiciary, health, legal aid, CSOs), reviewing existing policies and SOPs, and performing a rapid institutional capacity assessment to identify needs. The consultant will develop a comprehensive capacity strengthening package covering survivor-centred approaches, gender-responsive investigations, medical-legal documentation, referral pathways, and psychosocial support. This will involve facilitating workshops for medical personnel, police, and legal practitioners on evidence collection, legal rights, and court testimony. Additionally, the consultant will engage with legal bodies to build prosecution capacity and establish pro-bono services, and train Village Court officials on GBV legal frameworks and IPO administration. The role culminates in developing standardized training materials, delivering capacity-building initiatives, and producing a comprehensive final report with lessons learned and recommendations.
Work Experience
Requires a minimum of seven years of professional experience in legal and policy support, strengthening social accountability, advancing gender equality, and ending violence against women and girls. Desirable experience includes developing SOPs, technical guidelines, and training manuals, particularly in GBV or related sectors. Knowledge of international human rights standards and familiarity with PNG's legal frameworks are advantageous. Proven experience in facilitating dialogues with diverse stakeholders and working with government institutions, justice agencies, and the UN system is also desirable.
Skills
- Legal and policy analysis - Capacity building and training facilitation - Stakeholder engagement and consultation - Gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against women and girls (VAWG) frameworks - Medico-legal procedures and evidence collection - Referral pathway development - Survivor-centred approaches - Report writing and documentation