Achieving Justice for Gross Human Rights Violations – Final External Evaluation

Location: Home-based (preferably in Kathmandu, Bangkok, Bogota, Geneva or Tunis)

Summary

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is seeking qualified applicants to conduct a final evaluation for its project, Achieving Justice for Gross Human Rights Violations, a key intervention under its Global Accountability Initiative.

Around the world impunity for serious human rights violations remains a significant challenge as victims, especially the most marginalized and disadvantaged, remain without effective remedies and reparations (redress). Achieving accountability for human rights violations has been recognized as a crucial factor in preventing conflict and contributing to stability and sustainable development, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG16). Building on the achievements of the previous phases, in its third phase, the project has continued to apply a victim-centred and gender-competent approach to address legal, policy, institutional, systemic and other obstacles to achieving accountability in six focus countries (Colombia, Myanmar, Nepal, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Zimbabwe) and at the international level, by engaging with accountability mechanisms, UN bodies and the International Criminal Court (ICC). This was achieved by using the ICJ’s unparalleled access and influence nationally, regionally, and globally, including through its network of judges and lawyers (particularly its Commissioners, including those from the focus countries).

Overview of the ICJ

Composed of 60 eminent judges and lawyers from all regions of the world, the ICJ promotes and protects human rights through the rule of law, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems. Established in 1952 and active on the five continents, the ICJ aims to ensure the progressive development and effective implementation of international human rights and international humanitarian law; secure the realization of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights; safeguard the separation of powers; and guarantee the independence of the judiciary and legal profession.

Project Background

The overall objective of the project is to increase access to justice for victims through entrenchment of the rule of law so that societies realize sustainable peace and inclusiveness, providing access to justice and redress for all, holding perpetrators of human rights violations to account, and providing effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. Using a victim-centred and gender-competent approach to address legal, policy, institutional, systemic and other obstacles to achieving accountability in six focus countries, the project strives to ensure that victims, especially the most marginalized and disadvantaged, have access to truth, justice and reparations. It also has the objective of eliminating discrimination and achieving equal respect for every person’s human rights, with special attention paid to the gender dimensions of combatting impunity and achieving redress. This has been achieved through the empowerment of the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups and their representatives by equipping them with the knowledge, confidence and support to demand redress and accountability. The project adopted a dual approach in seeking to bolster and implement existing human rights laws, standards and systems while simultaneously developing and promoting new and progressive developments. Applying a human rights-based approach, the project recognized the need for action accompanied by strong advocacy platforms led and owned by victims, HRDs and civil society.

The project started on 1 January, 2021 and will continue until 31 December 2024.

Evaluation Overview

The primary users of the evaluation report will be the funding agency and ICJ’s global and regional staff, who will use the findings and recommendations to inform any adjustment to the strategies and future programming in the country, region and beyond in the thematic area of Accountability and Rule of Law. The secondary users will be the Legal and Policy Office, and the ICJ Program Management and Donor Relations team, who may also refer to the conclusions and recommendations to inform changes to the ICJ’s approach and to program management in general (from design to monitoring and closure).

Objectives and criteria

The general objective is to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the project’s approach and the sustainability of the achieved outcomes; in addition, the ICJ is interested in informing its future programming in the region. As such, the evaluation should assess the achievements of the project against its stated outcomes, including a re-examination of the relevance of the expected results and of the project design. It shall also identify significant factors that are facilitating or impeding the delivery of outcomes. The evaluation should have a strong learning objective. It should reflect on what has worked, and what has not worked as well, and identify lessons and ways to enhance the project relevance, effectiveness and impact. It is expected to lead to concrete, specific recommendations and lessons learned for the future. Below are some sample evaluative questions for each stated evaluation criteria:

Relevance

• How appropriate the project concept and design is to the current context of the focus countries? Were the key learnings from the previous phase taken into account?
• How responsive has the project been to the operating environment in the targeted region?

Efficiency

• Is the project structure and design conducive to maximizing efficiency?
• Are the project management capacities of the partner organizations enough to ensure efficient delivery of the project?
• Are the project management capacities of the ICJ enough to ensure efficient delivery of the project?

Effectiveness

• Were the outputs managed properly to enable achievement of the intended outcomes?
• What were the major factors influencing the achievement or non-achievement of the objectives?
• How well have the project partnerships worked?

Trends of impact and sustainability

• Is there evidence that changes among the targeted judicial actors are being transferred to their daily activities as well as to the broader community?
• How is the method of project implementation supporting, or not, the long-term sustainability of the program?

The ICJ’s Director of Global Accountability, LPO Program Manager and MEL Officer will review the methodology proposed by the evaluator. Ideally, it will include (i) a desk review of pertinent project documents and records (including the project proposal, logical framework, amended project documents, quarterly reports, and various records containing monitoring data); and (ii) data collection (considering that field visits will not be possible to all programme locations, online communication will have to be privileged). The primary data should involve mixed quantitative and qualitative research methods, including but not limited to interviews with project staff, project partners, targeted CSOs, event participants, lawyers and other target groups; and a quantitative survey with project beneficiaries. Project activities will conclude by December 31, 2024, so direct observation of program activities may be possible.

Evaluation Implementation

The evaluation should start in October 2024, with the final deliverables due and contract concluded by 31 January, 2025.

ICJ staff will provide logistical and technical support as appropriate throughout the evaluation process (compilation of project documents, assisting with travel, scheduling meetings / interviews if desired, etc.).

A total of up to 35 working days will be available for:

• Evaluation preparation (including finalizing the evaluation methodology, performing the initial desk review of project materials, creating and testing data collection tools, compiling a brief inception note) – 6 working days;
• Remote data collection – 18 working days;
• Data analysis and synthesis(including transcription, data aggregation and writing a draft report) – 8 working days
• Presenting findings to the ICJ, and incorporating feedback from the ICJ and its partners into a final report – 3 working days

The final deliverables for this evaluation will include:

• An inception report and evaluation plan (submitted to the ICJ for approval within the first agreed 5 working days, prior to the beginning of online interviews and meetings);
• A draft report detailing key findings, supporting evidence, and pragmatic recommendations (due to the ICJ Program Manager and MEL Officer for feedback within agreed 25 days after the approval of the inception report)
• A final report incorporating all relevant feedback to the ICJ and its partners, including an executive summary or fact sheet to be distributed to additional stakeholders. The final report should provide brief, clear and pragmatic conclusions and recommendations, including: the degree to which the project outcomes are likely to be delivered; important lessons that can be drawn from the experience of the project and its results to date; general recommendations on improving implementation for the remainder of the project; and recommendations on further action upon completion of the current project.
• One oral presentation of key findings by Skype or another online platform with relevant ICJ staff after submission of the written draft report).

Application Guidelines

The selected consultant should have demonstrated expertise in results-based project evaluation. Previous work experience in human rights, preferably in the legal field is required. The following are additional requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, political sciences, international law, international relations, human rights, or related field (Master’s degree strongly preferred);
• Minimum 4–6 years of experience in designing, overseeing, and implementing project M&E or combination of education, training and experience;
• Experience conducting rule of law related project evaluation;
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative M&E data collection and analysis methods;

Additional desired qualifications:

• Experience working in politically sensitive countries and ability to maintain security and confidentiality considerations throughout the evaluation process and beyond;
• Excellent inter-cultural communication skills and ability to forge strong cross-cultural relationships and build trust;
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and communication skills;
• Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing;
• Team player with the ability to closely collaborate with the ICJ staff, local partners, and project stakeholders.