About the job

Call for expression of Interest to conduct a multi-country study into innovations in access to justice in select African countries.

1. Background

BarefootLaw is a not-for-profit organization that is working to make access to justice and the law available to the poor and underprivileged across Africa. Using technology and innovative methods, BarefootLaw prides itself in its ability to communicate to people in need of legal services regardless of the degree to which they access technology or their literacy. By reaching beyond the confines of existing telecommunication tools, BarefootLaw is striving to make access to justice universal for all, especially the poor and marginalized.

2. Purpose of the consultancy

The purpose of this study is to gather information on innovations, both technologies based and otherwise that have been implemented in the selected countries in a bid to make access to justice more readily available to the communities. The end goal is to learn and share information that will enable and enhance new ways of delivering legal services to the underserved communities.

2.1 Research Priorities

This research is intended to discover, collect, curate analyse and share information on innovative approaches, practices and methods/ services that are in the implementation communities. The purpose is to make it easier for innovators to collaborate in the access to justice field: to exchange ideas; learn from others; anticipate and cater for challenges and to encourage; increase and enhance the ability to creatively respond to legal problems in the region. These priorities include the following.

a) Discovery of community led innovations b) Discovery of novel user-centred approaches c) User’s perspective of methods that lead to the resolution of legal problems. d) Consideration of both the formal and informal justice system e) Innovations which demonstrate and feature: i) best practices ii) thematic areas that indicate patterns to note iii) tech and non tech solutions, this research is specifically intended to ensure that there is no undue focus on technology as the sole solution. iv) Innovations that include marginalised groups as well as those that demonstrate an intersectionality v) Replicability

f) Challenges faced by innovators and different stakeholders

2.2 Lead Researcher Responsibilities Include;

a) Develop the research question and proposed design, with input from the BarefootLaw team. b) Develop a general budget and workplan which includes approach and design as well as consolidate country-specific workplans and budgets. c) Participate in recruiting research team including contracting d) Supervision of field teams e) Periodic reporting and updates on project progress and activities f) Facilitate inception meeting with full research team g) Coordinate collection and curation of data. h) Analyse and prepare interim report. There shall be one interim report midway through the execution. i) Prepare and submit at least one research article. j) Submit a final report.

2.3 Approach and Methodology

The Lead Researcher shall be required to carry out empirical research of a quantitative and qualitative nature. The research shall be approached from a centralised perspective with guidance coming from the BarefootLaw headquarters. Collaborative meetings will be held with the researcher where the approach of the research including timelines, modes of implementation and reporting modalities shall be agreed upon.

For reference purposes BarefootLaw carries out research using participatory methods. Data collection methods may:

A) Surveys

B) Interviews

C) Collection of secondary administrative data

D) Innovations Mapping

E) Focus Group Discussion

2.4 Scope

a) Time scope: The Lead Researcher shall be required to conduct this research over a period of 120 days in 2022. There is a possibility for renewal. b) Geographical scope: The Lead Researcher will be carried out in Uganda, Kenya, and Malawi. However, the Lead Researcher must be based in Uganda. c) Stakeholders: This will include innovators (individuals, for profit and non-profit organisations), the public (users) government institutions, community leaders.

2.5 Key Deliverables

a) Research data collected.

b) Workplans and Budgets c) One Article d) Interim update report (1) e) Final report

3. Reporting

The reporting will be continuous through the research period, involving updates and discussions on what is coming out of the data to enable charting of the way forward while allowing for changes that may be necessitated by circumstances.

A debriefing meeting for presenting preliminary findings, analysis, and recommendations of the assignment. The purpose is both to inform the project implementation team about the Lead Researcher’s observations, and to gather critical input and feedback for the final report. Submission of a final report.

4. Ethical Considerations

The Lead Researcher should meet the following requirements:

a) Comprehensive and systematic inquiry. Should make the most of the existing information and full range of stakeholders available at the time of the evaluation. The Lead Researcher should conduct systematic, data-based inquiries and communicate their methods and approaches accurately and in sufficient detail to allow others to understand, interpret and critique their work. They should make clear the limitations of the evaluation and its results. b) Competence. Should possess the abilities, skills, and experience appropriate to undertake the tasks proposed and should practice within the limits of their professional training and competence. c) Honesty and integrity. Should be transparent with BarefootLaw about any conflict of interest, any change made in the negotiated project plan and the justifications for these changes, any risk that certain procedures or activities produce misleading baseline information. d) Respect for people. Should respect the security, dignity and self-worth of respondents and program participants. Lead Researcher has the responsibility to be sensitive to and respect differences among participants in culture, religion, gender, disability, age, and ethnicity, among others. e) Data privacy and protection. Lead Researcher is expected to strictly adhere to the relevant laws and guidelines related to data privacy and protection.

5. Quality Control

BarefootLaw reserves the right to carry out quality control during the research without interfering with the Lead Researcher’s work.

Interested applicants should submit their soft copies of applications to BarefootLaw at smutabazi@barefootlaw.org.

BarefootLaw expects to review applications and finalize negotiations with the selected consultant within 10 working days.

The application should include:

a) Cover letter and CV focusing on competencies for this project and proven experience of similar assignments (please provide references). b) A draft methodology to achieve the project objectives. c) A financial proposal for the assignment (draft budget: USD 6,000 – 7,000).

Any specific questions relating to the conduct of the research should be directed to pmurungi@barefootlaw.org