Consultant for Review and Strengthening of Kenya National Police SOPs

Job Posting Organization:
UN Women was established in July 2010 as part of the UN reform agenda to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment. It merges the work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system, focusing on gender equality and women's empowerment. UN Women operates globally, with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, empower women, and achieve equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action, and peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security. The organization works in various countries, including Kenya, to support initiatives that promote gender equality and protect women's rights.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in reviewing and strengthening the Kenya National Police Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure they align with national, regional, and international standards. This position involves assessing existing SOPs, identifying gaps, and proposing practical revisions to enhance usability for police officers. The consultant will work closely with the Task Force under the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action and the Directorate of Gender and Children Affairs, ensuring that the SOPs are comprehensive and effective in addressing issues related to gender-based violence (GBV), violence against children (VAC), and human rights. The consultant will also facilitate stakeholder consultations to gather input and feedback on the proposed changes, ensuring a participatory approach to the review process.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in an inception meeting with UN Women and the Task Force to clarify expectations, methodology, scope, and timelines.
• Review all relevant documentation, including existing Kenya National Police SOPs, relevant legislation, national policy frameworks, and previous assessments related to police procedures on GBV/VAC/human rights.
• Prepare an Inception Report outlining the understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology, and detailed work plan.
• Conduct a detailed technical review of existing SOPs, assessing legal and policy alignment, coherence across units, operational clarity, and integration of human rights and survivor-centered approaches.
• Develop a stakeholder consultation plan and conduct focused consultations with relevant NPS directorates, government actors, civil society organizations, and survivor support services.
• Document key findings and recommendations from stakeholder consultations.
• Prepare a Draft Technical Review and Recommendations Report summarizing key findings and recommending changes to the SOPs.
• Draft revised SOPs, ensuring clear procedures, roles, and responsibilities, and integration of referral pathways.
• Present draft findings and revised SOPs to the Task Force and key stakeholders during validation meetings. 1
• Incorporate feedback and submit final reports and revised SOPs in editable formats.

Required Qualifications:
The consultant should possess an advanced university degree in Law, Criminology, Security/Police Studies, Human Rights, Gender and Development, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. The consultant must have at least 7 years of relevant professional experience in police reform, security sector governance, or criminal justice, as well as experience in developing, reviewing, and drafting SOPs or policies for law enforcement. Knowledge of the Kenyan legal and policy framework on policing, GBV, VAC, and human rights is essential, along with experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations and strong analytical and legal drafting skills.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Law, Criminology, Security/Police Studies, Human Rights, Gender and Development, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in areas such as police reform, security sector governance, or criminal justice. Experience in developing, reviewing, and drafting SOPs or policies for law enforcement or justice institutions is crucial. Familiarity with gender-based violence, violence against children, human rights, and access to justice programming is also required. Previous experience working with UN entities, government ministries, or security institutions in Kenya or the region is an added advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy is home-based, but the consultant is expected to attend various consultative meetings in Nairobi. The assignment will be completed over approximately twenty (20) working days, with specific deliverables and payment schedules outlined. The consultant will be contracted by UN Women and will receive strategic guidance from the organization in collaboration with the State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action and the Directorate of Gender and Children Affairs. All deliverables must be submitted in English in both editable (Word) and PDF formats.