Call forFor call for proposals for the Provision of Legal Aid Services to Vulnerable Groups in Wau and Raja Counties - South Sudan Country Office - SOUTH SUDAN

Description

Overview Background and Context South Sudan continues to experience significant access to justice challenges as a result of protracted conflict, weak institutional capacity, limited geographical reach of justice institutions, and entrenched harmful social norms. Vulnerable groups—including women, girls, survivors of sexual and gender‑based violence (SGBV), internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, refugees, persons with disabilities, and the elderly—face systemic barriers to accessing justice and protection services. In Wau and Raja Counties in Western Bahr el Ghazal, justice actors are overstretched and under‑resourced, with limited capacity to respond effectively to rising cases of SGBV, prolonged pre‑trial detention, land and family disputes, and other human rights violations. In this context, UNDP seeks to support access to justice through the establishment and operation of Justice Confidence Centres (JCCs), delivering legal aid, legal awareness, alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and psychosocial support in a coordinated and survivor‑centered manner. Rationale The provision of legal aid is critical to strengthening rule of law, protecting human rights, preventing arbitrary detention, and promoting peaceful dispute resolution. Through this TOR, UNDP intends to engage a qualified national Civil Society Organization (CSO), Non‑Governmental Organization (NGO), or Community‑Based Organization (CBO) to deliver comprehensive legal aid services in Wau and Raja, in line with UNDP’s Access to Justice, Security and Human Rights Strengthening Programme. Objectives Overall Objective: To enhance equitable access to justice and protection of human rights for vulnerable populations in Wau and Raja Counties. Specific Objectives • Establish and operationalize Justice Confidence Centres (JCCs) in Wau and Raja; one in each location. • Provide free, quality legal advice, legal representation, and assistance in civil, criminal, and administrative matters. • Reduce prolonged and unlawful detention through targeted legal interventions. • Support survivors of SGBV through legal aid, psychosocial support, and referrals. • Strengthen community awareness of legal rights, justice processes, and referral pathways. • Promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to enhance social cohesion.