TOR for the Preparation of a Comprehensive Assessment of Legal Aid Service in Ethiopia

Background

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR)’ is an Ethiopian civil society organization re-registered on September 19, 2019, before the FDRE Civil Societies Organizations Agency in accordance with Proclamation No. 1113/2019. The objectives of the Organization is to promote and advocate human rights among others through increasing the participation and contribution of lawyers in the area of human rights through trainings and other capacity building activities, supporting lawyers across the nation and help exchange of ideas, information and experience for better protection of human rights; litigating before courts to ensure protection and promotion of human rights recognized under the FDRE Constitution and other laws; awareness creation for justice organs on international human rights instruments ratified by Ethiopia; providing free legal aid services for victims of human rights violation particularly disadvantaged communities; influencing the government to enact new laws or amend existing ones to give full protection for human rights; and familiarizing the idea of human rights defenders (HRD) among the lawyers.

Currently, LHR in consortium with Mizan Lawyers’ Centers (MLC), and Advocates Ethiopia (AE) is implementing a free legal aid service project to enhance access to justice for detainees at pretrial stages. LHR has established legal aid centers in three major cities of Ethiopia: Addis Ababa, Adama, and Hawassa. With a view to ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the legal aid services, LHR intends to assess the existing legal frameworks, as well as the challenges and opportunities related to pre-trial free legal aid services in Ethiopia. Accordingly, LHR is seeking a qualified consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of pre-trial legal aid services within the criminal justice system of Ethiopia.

Objective

The overall objective of the assignment is to conduct a general assessment of the existing legal and institutional frameworks, challenges, and opportunities related to free legal aid services in Ethiopia, with specific reference to pre-trial legal aid services in criminal cases.

The scope of the work

The scope of the work, among others, include:

• Review of Legal, institutional and Policy Frameworks:
• Examine the existing national laws, policies, and institutional frameworks governing pre-trial free legal aid services in Ethiopia, including the draft National Legal Aid Proclamation, and National Strategies on Legal Aid.
• Identification of Gaps, Challenges, and Good Practices
  • Examine the key roles and responsibilities of institutions working on legal aid in Ethiopia, including the Public Defender Office, the Police, Justice Offices, and the Ministry of Justice, with a focus on how each contributes to the provision, coordination, and effectiveness of pre-trial legal aid services.
  • Analyze major legal, institutional, and practical challenges affecting the provision of free legal aid.
  • Highlight opportunities and good practices that can strengthen the pre-trial legal aid system.
• Recommendations and Way Forward
  • Propose actionable recommendations for improving the legal and institutional frameworks, coordination mechanisms, and delivery of quality pre-trial legal aid services in Ethiopia.

Deliverable and time framework

The Consultant is expected to deliver overall quality and standardized assessment report and the Consultant is expected to complete this assignment within four weeks, and the exact starting date will be the signing of the agreement.

About You (Applicant Qualification)

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Law, Human Rights, Criminal Justice, or related fields.
• At least 7–10 years of relevant professional experience in the justice or legal aid sector in Ethiopia.
• Proven experience in conducting legal, institutional, or policy assessments related to access to justice, human rights, or criminal justice reform.
• Demonstrated familiarity with Ethiopian legal frameworks governing criminal justice, human rights, and legal aid systems.

Other Competencies

• High level of integrity, independence, and professional ethics.
• Ability to deliver quality outputs within tight deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.