Academic Unit: Expert Trainer

EXPERT TRAINER – ACADEMIC UNIT

ABOUT THE IIJ

The International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), located in Malta, has a mission to deliver innovative and sustainable capacity-building through the implementation of counter-terrorism-related, rule of law-based good practices developed by the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and other international and regional fora. Since its inauguration in 2014, the IIJ has trained more than 9,800 criminal justice practitioners through its interactive capacity-building workshops – in Malta and abroad – that enhance the competencies of parliamentarians, judges, prosecutors, police, prison and other criminal justice practitioners to address terrorism and related transnational criminal activities within a rule of law framework. The IIJ delivers capacity-building training tailored to the needs of the regions it serves, including North, West and East Africa; the Middle East; and select engagement in the Balkans, and Central, South and Southeast Asia. For more information on the IIJ, please visit the IIJ’s website at http://www.theiij.org.

In 2020, the IIJ launched an Academic Unit to provide in-depth courses to criminal justice practitioners aimed at filling critical knowledge gaps necessary for successfully countering terrorism and transnational crime.

CONSULTANCY POSITION

The IIJ is seeking applications from qualified English-speaking expert justice practitioners to support the delivery of its Academic Unit’s innovative and ground-breaking Counter-Terrorism Academic Curriculum (CTAC) for criminal justice practitioners from West and East Africa. The CTAC is an in-person course designed for investigators, prosecutors, and judges to increase their awareness of terrorism-specific issues as well as their knowledge and skills for successfully investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating terrorism-related cases. 

This in-person, one-week course focuses on participant-based learning and includes a simulated investigation and prosecution, as well as relevant lectures and discussions to build the following core skills:

• How to effectively move from confession-led to intelligence-led investigations

• Improved drafting and advocacy skills to present evidence and legal arguments

• Understanding the significance of protecting human rights to deliver successful prosecutions in their own jurisdictions

This English language course for practitioners from West Africa and Sahel is scheduled to take place from 17 – 21 February 2025 in Valletta, Malta.

Key Tasks and Deliverables

The Consultant is expected to facilitate and adapt exercises and deliver modules/sessions for selected investigators and prosecutors based on the course’s curriculum, already developed for and by the Academic Unit in English. This delivery is expected to be in-person in Valletta, Malta throughout the week from 17 – 21 February 2025.

During the course and in coordination with the IIJ’s Resident Fellows and other external experts, the Consultant will facilitate discussions and provide brief presentations to advance the course’s learning objectives.

In addition, the Consultant and the IIJ’s Resident Fellows and Director of the Academic Unit will rely on simulated cases for the exercises, where participants must deal with a number of challenges that often arise in terrorist and other complex criminal cases. The one-week (five day) course revolves around a complex, simulated cross-border terrorist attack, replete with suspects, planned or completed attacks, and challenges. Participants will draw upon a large body of mock evidence, witness statements, police statements, and financial records – already designed by the IIJ – to complete the CTAC’s assignments.

The Consultant will adapt, moderate, and evaluate these exercises according to criteria pre-established by the Academic Unit, in order to strengthen the practitioners in the knowledge and skills required to deal with terrorist cases.

• The Consultant’ services will entail the following tasks:
• Preparation and Delivery of the Course and Reporting (Maximum 7 days)
• The Consultant is required to read and, if relevant, revise the relevant modules, to review and revise some exercises already prepared from the CTAC course and prepare for their delivery. The Consultant will specifically be tasked with supporting the delivering some sessions as well as course group work/moot court. To do so, the Consultant will prepare some presentations based on the CTAC modules and his/her practical experience.
• Provide feedback on participants’ work and lead the debriefing of the exercises.
• Facilitate exchanges and discussions with participants.

Following the delivery of the course, the Consultant must submit a post-training report, using the IIJ’s template. The reports must be submitted in English.

Timeframe for Product Delivery

• The delivery of the course will be from 17 – 21 February 2025 in Malta, with in-person preparations and coordination expected in advance.
• The post-training report must be submitted in its final version by 7 March 2025.

CONSULTANT CRITERIA & QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 15 years’ experience in criminal justice as a justice practitioner including significant experience in terrorism or other complex, transnational crime cases.
• Experience in the delivery of courses on criminal justice, whether that be developing a whole programme of work or shaping existing programmes – preferably terrorism-related but may include other complex, transnational crimes.
• Experience of working internationally with other law enforcement/security organisations. Experience in Africa is an advantage.
• Experience of delivering capacity building projects overseas as well as a familiarity with the region and previous interactions with the target countries of the IIJ.
• Advanced degree in International/European Law, Law, Political Sciences, International Relations, Public Affairs/Public Administration, Development Studies or any related field.
• Professional fluency in English is required
• Excellent drafting skills
• Strong communication skills
• Strong conceptual thinking and analytical skills
• Successful proven organisational and prioritisation skills
• Energetic and adaptable in her/his approach with the ability to work individually and/or as part of a team
• The ability to exercise good judgement and discretion at all times; and
• Efficient in observing deadlines and achieving results in accordance with qualitative and quantitative parameters.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

All interested applicants meeting the qualifications below are invited to submit a cover letter and CV to the IIJ Executive Secretariat at hr@theiij.org and mensii@theiij.org by no later than 20th January 2025 with “AU_ Expert Trainer 2025” in the subject line.