About the Programme
The Government of the Republic of the Philippines with the support of the European Union is implementing the Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice II (GOJUST II). GOJUST II is funded by the European Union to the value of EUR 19 million and implemented by the British Council and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). GOJUST II builds on and continues the work of the predecessor programme, GOJUST, which was implemented from April 2016 to September 2020. GOJUST II is implemented in joint co-financing with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (EUR 1 million).
The overall objective of GOJUST is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development through improved access to justice for all in the Philippines. Specifically, it aims to develop more responsive and accountable justice services. It includes two components focusing on justice and human rights, respectively. The programme is being implemented from December 2020 to June 2025.
Background of the Assignment
Administrative Order No. 35 (AO35) was issued by the President of the Philippines on November 22, 2012, for the purpose of establishing an institutional legacy of an efficient, coherent, and comprehensive government machinery dedicated to the resolution of unsolved cases of political violence in the form of extra-legal killings, enforced disappearances, torture, and other grave violations of the right to life, liberty, and security of persons.
AO35 created the Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Grave Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty, and Security of Persons (IAC) and adopts the "composite team approach" whereby prosecutors, law enforcement, and other agencies collaborate, cooperate, and coordinate in the investigation and build-up of cases.
The IAC is the primordial body tasked to investigate cases of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave violations of the right to life, liberty, and security, including violations of R.A. No. 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity and to ensure a focused case build-up and speedy resolution of all unsolved and new cases. The IAC is assisted by the AO35 Secretariat and the AO35 Technical Working Group (TWG).
In this light, an identified need of the IAC is the drafting and publication of a Manual on Victim and Witness Management for Human Rights Cases. The aim is to strengthen the institutional efficiency and effectiveness of the IAC and facilitate enforcing the rights of victims and witnesses of cases falling within the purview of the IAC.
Role overview
The over-all objective of this mission is to draft and publish a Manual on Victim and Witness Management for Human Rights Cases and thereby facilitate the development of a long-term strategy for the handling of victims and witnesses of cases falling within the purview of the IAC. The Manual is intended for use as reference by the AO35 prosecutors, investigators and other stakeholders in dealing with and providing assistance to victims and witnesses.
Specifically, the non-key expert is expected to draft a Manual on Victim and Witness Management for Human Rights Cases that focuses on victims and witnesses of extra-legal killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other grave violations of the right to life, liberty and security of persons including violations of R.A. No. 9851 or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
What is the duration of the contract?
Estimated start date is 27 March 2023. The main mission period is four (4) months from March 27, 2023 to July 26, 2023. The deadline for completion of the final Mission Report is August 15, 2023.
How to apply?
Applications for this request for proposal should be submitted to Lalaine Alfaro (lalaine.alfaro@britishcouncil.org) by 10 March 2023, 11:59 p.m. (Manila time).
For the complete list of required qualifications and skills, and general and specific professional experience, please download the attached terms of reference (ToR) below.
For questions and concerns, the main contact persons for this mission shall be the following:
- For Technical Matters: Senior Adviser for Evidence Based Research, Carolyn Mercado: carlmercs@gmail.com
- For Administrative Matters: Programme Officer, Lalaine Alfaro: lalaine.alfaro@britishcouncil.org
The complete Terms of Reference is available for download below.