Result of Service

1. Finalized and Approved Inception report Submitted 2. Stakeholder consultations and Training Needs Assessment Report Drafted and Approved 3. Curriculum design and development finalized with the following modules Module 1: Introduction to the Judiciary and Court Operations

Structure of the Judiciary
Jurisdiction of courts and tribunals
Court processes and procedures
Roles of judicial officers and court staff Module 2: Fundamentals of Court Transcription
Types of court proceedings
Transcription standards and formatting
Transcript production workflows Module 3: Legal Terminology and Court Language
Legal terminology used during court proceedings
Commonly used Latin phrases Module 4: Transcription Technologies
Artificial Intelligence in transcription
Real-time transcription
Speech-to-text technologies
CTS Transcription Module Module 5: Transcription Quality Assurance
Transcript review procedures
Accuracy verification techniques
Speaker identification
Timestamp management
Quality control standards Module 6: Data Protection and Confidentiality
Data Protection Act requirements
Confidentiality obligations
Information security practices
Records management Module 7: Customer Service and Communication
Handling transcript requests
Service standards and turnaround times
Professional ethics Module 8: Productivity and Performance Management
Time management
Performance measurement
Transcript production targets 4. Stakeholder review and pilot testing report finalized and submitted 5. Finalized and approved training curriculum finalized and submitted 6. Final consultancy report drafted and submitted

Work Location

Nairobi, Kenya Local with travels within PLEAD II counties

Expected duration

01 September - 30 November 2026 (40 Working Days)

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Background of the Assignment As the global guardian of the United Nations standards and norms in Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, UNODC seeks to strengthen the rule of law by preventing crime and promoting fair, humane, and accountable criminal justice systems. To do this, UNODC provides Member States with expertise and advice to develop effective and responsible crime prevention strategies and policies and to build the capacity of their criminal justice systems to operate more effectively within the framework of the rule of law, while promoting human rights and protecting vulnerable groups. Within the framework of the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Programme, UNODC’s project titled “Programme for Legal Empowerment and Aid Delivery (PLEAD) Phase II, and seeks to “Reinforce the rule of law, improve access to justice, increase efficiency and accountability in the justice system and use of technology as an enabler of justice” while addressing capacity needs and persistent bottlenecks affecting service delivery in the justice sector, advance digitalization to streamline the administration of justice and countering corruption to improve access to justice for all Kenyans, including those at risk of exclusion and marginalization. The PLEAD II component implemented by UNODC targets support to the following institutions in the justice chain (national partners): National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), Judiciary, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Probation and Aftercare Service (PACS), Witness Protection Agency (WPA), Directorate of Children Services (DCS), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Kenya Prisons Service (KPS) and National Police Service (NPS). On the other hand, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will support Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) through its flagship Amkeni Wakenya facility. 2. Purpose of the assignment The Judiciary has made significant investments in court automation through the deployment of digital recording systems, virtual court platforms, the Case Tracking System (CTS), and the establishment of the National Judiciary Transcription Centre. These initiatives are intended to improve access to justice, enhance efficiency in court operations, and facilitate the timely production of accurate court records. The increasing adoption of digital recording and transcription technologies has transformed the traditional role of court secretaries and transcribers. Modern transcription services now require personnel to possess competencies in digital recording management, transcription software, legal terminology, quality assurance, data protection, customer service, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled transcription tools. The development of a structured Training Curriculum for Transcription staff will provide a standardized framework for capacity building, quality assurance, and continuous professional development. Main Objective of the Consultancy: To support the development and delivery of high-quality, context-specific content tailored for court transcribers. The curriculum will ensure transcribers develop the competencies required to produce accurate, timely, and professional court records and to harness emerging technologies, including AI-assisted transcription, in their work. Objectives: The specific objectives are to: 1. Develop a competency-based curriculum for Judiciary transcribers. 2. Standardise transcription practices across all court stations and tribunals. 3. Establish a framework for continuous professional development. 4. Build capacity in the use of transcription technologies. 5. Promote compliance with data protection, confidentiality, and information security requirements. 3. Specific Tasks to be performed by the consultant: The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the PLEAD II Programme Manager at UNODC ROEA, under the direct supervision of the Programme Officer, working closely with the Registrar Automation at the Judiciary in performing the following substantive duties and responsibilities: The consultant shall perform the following tasks: a. Inception Meeting and Report: Undertake an inception meeting with the relevant stakeholders at the Judiciary, the Directorate of ICT, and the Office of the Registrar Automation to review the scope, timelines, and methodology for developing the training curriculum. Draft and submit the inception report to UNODC. b. Phase 1: Stakeholder Consultations and Training Needs Assessment Undertake a comprehensive training needs assessment to identify gaps in knowledge, skills, and competencies among court transcribers. Conduct targeted stakeholder consultations and a systematic review of current transcription practices, job descriptions, and existing training materials to inform curriculum design. Deliver a needs assessment report that includes a competency gap analysis, priority training topics, recommended learning modalities, and representative stakeholder feedback. c. Phase 2: Curriculum Design and Development: Develop a competency-based curriculum that translates the needs assessment findings into clear learning outcomes and structured learning pathways. Tasks include defining module-level and course-level learning outcomes; designing a transcriber competency framework (knowledge, skills, attitudes); preparing detailed training modules; and producing facilitator guides, participant manuals, practical exercises, and assessment instruments (formative and summative). Ensure materials are learner-centred and aligned to assessed competencies. d. Phase 3: Stakeholder Review and Pilot Testing: Facilitate stakeholder review workshops to validate draft curriculum materials and module content. Implement a pilot of selected modules with representative transcribers and trainers, using agreed assessment tools and observation checklists. Collect and analyse participant and facilitator feedback, document lessons learned, and identify required revisions. Produce a pilot evaluation report with recommended curriculum refinements, an updated module set incorporating feedback, and an implementation plan for final roll-out that demonstrates alignment with Judiciary standards and operational realities. e. Phase 4: Finalisation, Approval and Deployment Incorporate feedback from the validation and pilot phases to finalise curriculum content and supporting materials. Format and package modules, facilitator guides, participant materials, and assessment tools for both face-to-face and e-learning delivery. Prepare implementation guidelines, trainer orientation materials, and an operational roll-out plan that includes timelines, resource requirements, and monitoring arrangements. Submit final documents for formal approval by Judiciary leadership. f. Final Consultancy Report: Draft and submit to UNODC a final consultancy report summarising all tasks undertaken in the template provided and attaching all work outputs or deliverables. The report should cover the activities undertaken, providing direction and other factors for consideration for uploading the materials onto the online platform and online delivery.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Adult Learning, Instructional Design, Law, Court Administration, Public Policy, Information Technology or other relevant discipline is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience in curriculum development, instructional design, or training development for adult learners; experience in the justice sector or with court systems is required.
At least 5 years’ direct experience designing competency-based curricula, assessment instruments, facilitator guides, and participant materials for in-person and e-learning delivery is required.
Experience conducting training needs assessments, stakeholder consultations, and pilot testing, with evidence of producing actionable reports and revised curricula is desirable.
Work experience in the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.
Strong understanding of adult learning principles, competency-based education, and instructional design methodologies (ADDIE, backward design, or equivalent) is desirable.
Knowledge of court operations, transcription workflows, legal terminology, and judicial data protection requirements is desirable.
Experince and proficiency in digital learning tools and platforms (LMS administration basics, authoring tools such as Articulate Storyline/Captivate, or equivalent), and ability to advise on LMS integration is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations Secretariat languages is an advantage.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

National Consultant: Curriculum and Instruction Specialist to Develop a Training Curriculum for Transcription Staff of the Kenya Judiciary