Consultant: Trainer for Judges, Prosecutors & Lawyers- Maldives

In the Maldives, cases related to Freedom of Expression (FoE) are of significant public interest. Increased awareness among justice sector actors about effective case evaluation, investigation, and adjudication of FoE cases is crucial. The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is seeking a local or international expert to train judges, prosecutors, and lawyers on Freedom of Expression case handling and evaluating, aiming to enhance the technical capacity of justice sector actors in the Maldives.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DURATION

The technical expert consultant will support ABA ROLI in the development and implementation of a training program aimed at increasing the awareness and technical capacity of judges, prosecutors, and lawyers on FoE case handling and evaluation. The training will consist of three sessions:

Training for Judges: This session will cover topics such as case prioritization, the application of evidentiary rules, sentencing, and due process.

Training for Prosecutors: This session, tailored specifically for Maldivian prosecutors, will focus on evidence handling, case management, and prosecutorial trial strategies tailored for FoE cases.

Training for lawyers: This session will emphasize the significance of FoE for realizing other human rights, comparative international policy frameworks, and best practices for defending FoE cases. This training must adhere to the Bar Council of Maldives (BCM)’s requirements for lawyers to receive Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit upon completing the training. Additionally, the consultant will work closely with ABA ROLI’s in-house trauma specialists to integrate trauma-informed lawyering techniques into the training program.

The expected tasks include:

• Conduct an inception call with the project team.
• Develop a detailed training agenda and materials tailored to the Maldivian context and aligned with international and constitutional standards of the country.
• Deliver three specialized one-day training sessions: one for judges, one for prosecutors, and one for lawyers.
• Provide case studies and practical examples to illustrate best practices in FoE case handling and evaluating.
• Assess the training participants’ needs and adapt the content accordingly.
• Prepare and submit a comprehensive training report, including recommendations for future training and capacity-building initiatives.

Training Program Development:

• Work closely with ABA ROLI to design a comprehensive training curriculum focused on FoE case handling and evaluation for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers.
• Develop detailed session plans, including learning objectives, key topics, case studies, and practical exercises.
• Design and deliver training sessions covering:
• Case prioritization, application of evidentiary rules, sentencing, and due process for judges.
• Evidence handling, case management, and prosecutorial trial strategies for Maldivian prosecutors.
• The significance of FoE for realizing other human rights, comparative international policy frameworks, and best practices for defending FoE cases for lawyers.
• Prepare and distribute relevant training materials, presentations, and supplementary resources.
• Collaborate with ABA ROLI’s in-house trauma specialists to integrate trauma-informed lawyering techniques into the training program and ensure the incorporation of trauma-informed practices is effective and relevant to FoE case handling.
• Work closely with ABA ROLI staff to coordinate training logistics, schedules, and participant engagement.
• Collect and analyze feedback from participants to improve future training sessions.
• Document the training sessions, including participant attendance, feedback, and learning outcomes.
• Provide ABA ROLI with a comprehensive final report summarizing the training activities, outcomes, and recommendations for future initiatives.

DURATION

The consultancy is expected to be completed within a period of 12 working days, spanning three months from the start date, with bi-weekly progress reports submitted throughout the development and implementation process.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced university degree in law, human rights, or a related field.
• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in the legal and judicial sectors, with a focus on FoE and human rights.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering training programs for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal business hours
• Highly organized, with ability to multi-task and remain calm under time pressure
• Prior experience working in a multi-cultural environment
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively individually and as a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to use discretion when working with confidential documents and information
• Interest in and commitment to the rule of law

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The consultancy will be home-based with travel to the Maldives for the in-person 3-day training sessions.

REPORTING LINES

The selected consultant will report to the ABA ROLI project team based in both Washington DC and the Maldives.