Plea Bargaining Senior Non Key Expert

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a state owned organisation. We work worldwide in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. GIZ International Services (InS) is an integral division of GIZ.
We offer the experience, the regional and technical know-how of GIZ in the global market and provide international clients with expertise in terms of economic and result-oriented services.

GIZ International Services is currently implementing a project in Ethiopia : EU Support to Criminal Justice Reform in Ethiopia.

EU Support to Criminal Justice Reform in Ethiopia
Governance, justice, rule of law and Human Rights are at the core of the EU’s development agenda. The rule of law (enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union) is a prerequisite for protecting fundamental rights and democracy but requires independent, quality and efficient national justice systems.
Consequently, and in support of the reform agenda, the EU supports the Ethiopian Criminal Justice and Governance sectors in a number of ways and the programme to which this assignment applies is known as the “Support to Criminal Justice Reform in Ethiopia programme.”
The overall objective of the programme is to increase rule of law, respect for human rights and access to justice for all.


The programme commenced with a formal signing of a 3-year grant agreement on 19 March 2021 with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The Technical Support element which is designed to support the entire programme commenced a 4-year cycle on 15 October 2021.
It has been identified that a number of key institutions critical to the success of criminal justice reforms are desirous and require support to deliver the broader reform programme.
Under this programme, those institutions are the Ministry of Justice, the Federal Supreme Court, the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, the Ethiopian Federal Police and relevant CSOs operating in the sector.
To achieve the objective, the programme has three interlinked and mutually supportive Specific Objectives (outcomes):

1. Enhanced horizontal and vertical coordination, collaboration, and cooperation between key criminal justice institutions.
2. Increased effectiveness, efficiency, fairness, and accountability of the criminal justice system.
3. Improved access to justice for all, in particular, the poor, women and other groups in vulnerable situations.

• • The Federal Supreme Court to enable the Court to implement judicial reforms.
  • The Ministry of Justice to:
    • support the Office in the implementation of reforms included in new law and policies;
    • allow the Office to play its role in developing new legislations including working manuals on legal aid and in the establishment of a forum of legal aid service providers and monitoring and evaluation of these services.
  • The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission to:
    • Continue to play its oversight role, to provide redress for victims of human rights violations and to hold justice institutions to account;
    • Enhance its role in the coordination of the provision of legal aid by NGOs and university-based law clinics.

• • Master’s degree or above in Criminal justice, law or human rights or a related field from an accredited higher learning institution

• • At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in the common law system in Sub-Saharan Africa in providing training and drafting laws for the justice sector,  
  • Experience working with/in criminal justice system, international donors, or NGOs as a consultant, advisor or other relevant position;

• • Experience in academic research in a relevant field;
  • Excellent communication, analysis, and writing skills;
  • Ability to conduct the assignment with minimum support;
  • Demonstrable interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent communication skills and experience in establishing strong working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders;
  • Advanced computer literacy;
  • Fluency in English including excellent speaking, presentation, and written reporting abilities;
  • Knowledge of Amharic would be an asset;
  • Ability to work in multidisciplinary, cultural, religious, gender, nationality and age environments;

• Significant experience in designing training tools such as training guides for TOTs; excellent skills in delivering training through different adult training methods,
• Significant experience in drafting laws, guidelines, rules or standard operational procedures for plea bargaining or other mechanisms alternative to criminal trial;
• Familiarity with the East African region and the criminal justice system/s in the region is a strong asset;
• Familiarity with the Ethiopian criminal justice sector as regards, the rule of law, human rights and access to justice is a strong asset