Terms of Reference (TORs) for a Medical and Forensic Specialist Consultant

Legal Aid Society

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Posted date	6th November, 2024	Last date to apply	9th November, 2024
Country	Pakistan	Locations	Remote and in Lahore for in-person deliverables
Category	Consultancy
Type	Consultancy

Terms of Reference (TORs) for a Medical and Forensic Specialist Consultant

Position Title: Consultant
Contract Duration: 4 Days
Location: Remote and in Lahore for in-person deliverables
Reporting to: Senior Program Manager Gender – Legal Aid Society
Consultancy Period: 11-14 November, 2024

Background:

The Legal Aid Society (LAS) is a not-for-profit organization working on its mission to connect vulnerable & disempowered end users of justice with effective and expedient services for justice delivery. LAS’s interventions have been aimed at increasing access to justice for poor & marginalized communities, particularly women, across the province of Sindh and at the Federal level.

In line with the mission of expediting justice delivery, LAS is implementing a project to strengthen the State’s response to sexual violence, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of Pakistan.

One aspect of this project is the development of Anti-Rape Crisis Cells (ARCCs), under the Anti-Rape (Trial and Investigation) Act, 2021. ARCCs are dedicated to providing comprehensive and complete services to survivors of sexual violence inside designated government medical facilities. To enhance the effectiveness of the ARCC operations, we are revising and updating our guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to align with best practices in the medicolegal examination, forensic evidence collection, law enforcement procedures (reporting, investigation and prosecution) and psychosocial response.

We seek the expertise of a medical and forensic specialist to provide consultancy on the development and review of the draft ARCC Guidelines and SOPs. This will ensure our practices are legally compliant, ethically sound, and in accordance with international standards and provincial context in Punjab.

Objectives of the Consultancy:

The overall objective of this consultancy is to provide expert guidance on the development, review, and improvement of the ARCC guidelines and SOPs that support the effective handling of cases related to sexual violence.

Specifically, the consultant will:

Review the current ARCC Guidelines and SOPs related to medicolegal examination, forensic evidence collection and preservation, investigation and prosecution of sexual violence cases.
Provide expert input to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards in handling sexual violence cases.
Recommend best practices for medicolegal examination, forensic evidence management and referral pathways that prioritize survivor safety and dignity.
Assist in designing effective procedures for interdepartmental collaboration between the medicolegal officers, law enforcement agencies, psychosocial support providers and civil society organizations.
Offer specific recommendations for integrating medicolegal procedures into a trauma-informed approach.

Scope of Work:

The consultant is expected to:

Document Review and Preparation Meetings (1 Day)

Review existing guidelines, SOPs, and relevant legal frameworks.
Identify gaps or areas requiring improvement in the existing documents.
Participate in meetings with consultant drafters (remote/in-person) and technical leads from within the Legal Aid Society to understand the drafting process and operational technicalities.

Consultative Meeting (1 Day)

Lead an in-person consultation with key stakeholders from provincial health, law enforcement and social welfare departments to gather insights on operational challenges and needs.
Provide expert advice on medical and forensic practices during these meetings.

Report Preparation (2 Days)

Prepare a concise report with clear recommendations for enhancing the ARCC Guidelines and SOPs.
Include actionable steps to address identified gaps and improve the overall process.
Ensure that all recommendations align with both, the provincial context and international best practices for medicolegal examination and forensic evidence management in cases of sexual violence.

Deliverables:

A reviewed set of guidelines and SOPs with expert annotations.
Leading a consultation with key stakeholders to validate the ARCC Guidelines and SOPs.
A comprehensive report outlining key recommendations and steps for implementation.

EEO Statement:

At LAS, our commitment to diversity and equal opportunity extends to all aspects of our work, including consulting engagements. We ensure that all qualified consultants are given fair consideration regardless of sex, age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. LAS is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is treated equitably, acknowledged for their unique contributions, and encouraged to excel. We value and respect the diverse perspectives and experiences that each individual brings to our projects. Every member of the LAS team, including consultants, shares the responsibility of supporting and advancing a diverse and respectful work environment.

Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:

Legal Aid Society (LAS) is committed to the prevention and protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). LAS explicitly prohibits its
staff, associates, partners, consultants, or any other representatives associated with the delivery of its work from:

Engaging in any form of sexual exploitation or abuse;
Sexual activity with children (persons below the age of (18) irrespective of a mistaken belief of the age of the child which shall not amount to a defense);
Exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favors or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behavior, is prohibited. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries of assistance;
Sexual relationships between LAS staff and beneficiaries of assistance, since they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics,undermine the credibility and integrity of the work of LAS and are strongly discouraged.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

Postgraduate qualification in the field of expertise, supported by extensive experience in the justice sector as a practitioner or trainer.
In-depth knowledge of the medicolegal examination process, forensic evidence collection, preservation, and legal frameworks.
Experience in working with and relationships with the Criminal Justice System in Punjab/Balochistan
Experience in developing and reviewing similar guidelines and mechanisms, and inculcating a gender lens.
Strong understanding of trauma-informed care principles and practices in working with survivors of sexual violence.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

Duration and Fees:

The consultant will be engaged for a total of 4 days, from 11-14 November 2024. The consultancy can be delivered remotely, except for the consultation meeting, scheduled for the 12th of November, 2024. The consultant will be paid at a rate of PKR 35,000/- per day, inclusive of tax for this consultancy. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables.

Apply By:

Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit the following documents by 9th Nov, 2024:

A detailed CV highlighting relevant experience.
A brief technical proposal outlining your approach to the consultancy, based on the TORs provided (max. 2 pages)
A brief (one-page) financial proposal.

Submissions should be sent to [email protected].