Background Information

Somalia is facing a myriad of challenges in the legal system including a limited capacity of lawyers, prosecutors, and judges, impeding their ability to dispense justice. Lack of good governance and the rule of law are one of the most pressing problems confronting modern Somalia on its path toward stability and reconstruction. While there have been signs of progress, the absence of robust and competent institutions has contributed to a climate of insecurity and impunity. Several assessments of the justice system in Somalia have found that judges and prosecutors lack adequate skills to effectively administer criminal trials in line with Somali laws and procedures, particularly with respect to safeguarding the rights of the accused.[1]

The sub-standard education services and the lack of continuous professional development (CPD) courses for lawyers have produced law practitioners with limited skills. Furthermore, the lawyers are not trained in key skills including professional writing, and communication skills, which are essential to understanding clients’ problems and providing better representation.

Through funding from the EAJ Program, SWDC plans to train new law graduates in Mogadishu on the key skills needed to be better lawyers and provide more effective representation in courts. This is part of the efforts to increase access to justice, particularly for marginalized groups and individuals. The lawyers will be trained on, among other content, the following topics:

• Gender-based violence, its types and forms, and the socio-economic impacts it has on survivors
• Introduction to Legal Writing
• Communication skills
• Human Rights
• The powers and jurisdictions of the courts
• Overview of the Penal Code
• How to prepare a legal case
• Using Shariah law to protect individual rights.
• The Family Law
• Pro bono Lawyering
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADRs) Mechanisms
• How to Conduct Effective Mediation
• The legal documents used in courts
• Proper Documentation and Record-Keeping
• Developing Professional CVs

Purpose and objective of the course

The main purpose of the course is to equip the new law graduates with knowledge and skills that will enable them to better represent aggrieved persons and communities. Ultimately, this will contribute to better access to justice for marginalized groups and individuals as well as practical litigation, courtroom, general lawyering experience, and skills in interviewing.

Specific objectives

The specific objectives of the course are:

• To train the recent law graduates on human rights and human rights violations.
• Train the new law graduates on gender-based violence, its forms, impact on survivors and communities in general, and the specific laws relating to this.
• Providing communication skills that are important in ensuring the lawyers can effectively communicate with the justice seekers.
• Emphasize the importance of coordination with the various stakeholders in ensuring justice for all
• Educating on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (ADRs), their role in the justice system, and their significance in resolving civil cases.

Deliverables

The consultant is expected to deliver the following key tasks as part of this agreement.

• Course Manual and PPT Presentations
• Pre-tests, administered, marked, and graded.
• End of course evaluation including written tests, case studies, and case presentations
• Continuous weekly course evaluation reports explaining progress, challenges, and any suggested adjustments.
• Final course report after completion of the course.

Timeline

NO.	Activity	Duration (Working Days)	Responsibility/Remarks
1	Briefing on course requirements and expectations	1	PM, PC and Consultant
2	Developing Course Manual and PowerPoint Presentation	10	Consultants
3	Facilitating the course (in-class) and supervision	20	Consultant, course facilitators with SWDC PC Supervising and Monitoring
4	Practical attachments for fellows at courts, police stations, and law offices	10	Consultant and Course Facilitators
5	End of Course Evaluation	2	Consultant
6	Final Course Report	2	Consultant

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced university degree is a requirement
• Must be a qualified lawyer with at least 5 years of experience in practising law
• Experience with Somalia’s legal systems is mandatory
• Fluent in English and Somali languages
• Previous experience in training facilitation is a requirement

Terms and Conditions of service

SWDC, with funding from the EAJ Program, will provide such necessary resources required for the successful execution of the assignment. This may include the provision of the necessary project documents, suggesting a list of relevant topics to be included in the manual, and other relevant support that the consultant may need.

The consultant will cover his/her transportation, accommodation, communication, and any other costs directly related to the assignment.

The consultant shall be responsible for his/her taxes and/or security implication as a result of the consultant being engaged in this piece of work.

Mode of application

Applications with copies of CVs, testimonials, a one-page cover letter, technical proposal (max 3 pages) covering the suggested contents for the course, and financial proposal (max 1 page) should be submitted via email to swdc.org@gmail.com and copying abdullahi@swdcsom.org, aidarus@swdcsom.org before June 08, 2022.

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