Witness Protection Expert

Result of Service

To support strengthening the capacity of national actors on victims and witness protection and will support the WPA in developing its first multi-year strategic plan (2026-2030).

Work Location

Monrovia

Expected duration

31 days

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the WPA Director and OHCHR Representative, and with the direct support of the designated technical focal points of the WPA and OHCHR, the consultant will specifically be responsible for producing the following outputs: 1 Context and Institutional Familiarisation a. An inception report documenting the key findings from initial consultations with WPA leadership, including an assessment of the operating environment, institutional priorities, and current constraints, submitted within the first week of the consultancy. b. A proposed work plan setting out the consultant's approach, methodology, and timeline for all subsequent activities, submitted for approval by the WPA and OHCHR at the outset of the mission, submitted within the first week of the consultancy. 2. Legal and Regulatory Framework Review a. A comprehensive desk review report documenting all relevant laws, including proposed legal amendments, SOPs, policy instruments, inter-agency procedures, and operational guidelines governing witness, victim, and whistleblower protection in Liberia. b. A structured gap analysis identifying weaknesses and inconsistencies in the existing framework. c. Prioritised and actionable recommendations for strengthening legal instruments, policies, and procedures, drawing on relevant international standards and comparative practice. d. Participation in an in-person or remote briefing to the Legislature on the actionable recommendations for strengthening legal instruments, policies, and procedures, drawing on relevant international standards and comparative practice. 3. Baseline Threat and Risk Assessment a. A threat and risk assessment report identifying the principal risks faced by victims, witnesses, and whistleblowers engaging with the WPA and Liberia's justice, security and integrity institutions. b. A practical mitigation measures framework setting out concrete steps to address each identified vulnerability. c. A classified version of the report for restricted circulation and an unclassified summary suitable for broader stakeholder engagement. d. A methodology enabling the WPA to update and maintain the assessment on an ongoing basis. 4. Inter-Agency Coordination and Referral Mapping a. A mapping report documenting all existing coordination mechanisms, information-sharing practices, pre-trial referral pathways, trial and post-trial protection and support measures, and relocation and reintegration arrangements across national institutions and security sector agencies. b. A gap and deficiency analysis identifying where coordination and referral arrangements are absent, weak, or not functioning as intended. c....