ABA ROLI Political Economy Analysis

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is a non-profit organization that implements legal reform programs. ABA ROLI has worked for over 25 years in more than 100 countries to promote the rule of law, advance human rights, strengthen judicial institutions, support legal professionals and advance understanding of the law and rights of citizens by the public. To this end, ABA ROLI has established partnerships with a wide range of actors, including institutions in the justice sector (judges, prosecutors, public defense offices, mediation offices and national human rights institutions, investigators and police), civil society organizations, bar associations, legal aid organizations and lawyers, among others. ABA ROLI’s work in Africa spans a variety of programing around the rule of law, access to justice, atrocity prevention as well as human rights protection and promotion. ABA ROLI’s Africa Division has country offices across the continent, including in Angola, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gambia, Liberia, and Uganda. 

Program Overview: 

ABA ROLI is hiring a consultant to conduct a Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of justice sector reform processes for a program on Empowering Angolan Public Defenders to Expand Access to Justice, which is aimed at fostering a new vision for legal aid and public defense in Angola to expand legal service delivery and increase access to justice. Its principal objectives are to: (1) foreground access to justice and the legal right to counsel, and (2) empower lawyers and civil society to advocate for better public defense policies with relevant government bodies. 

Position Summary: 

The consultant will conduct a comprehensive Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of justice sector reform processes and funding in Angola to identify what may be feasible for the short to mid-term future. The consultant will build upon existing stakeholder mapping and comparative analyses generated under another ABA ROLI project in Angola, which includes insights from civil society, private attorneys, and justice sector actors regarding priority reforms, capacity needs, and expertise in court operations and access to justice. The Empowering Angolan Public Defenders to Expand Access to Justice project will also later in the program undertake an international comparative study of legal aid and public defense models to inform the proposed reforms/legislative provisions assessed by the PEA. 

The consultant will be responsible for preparing a final report which includes both findings and recommendations. ABA ROLI will utilize this report to inform future program decisions and design. Additionally, findings from this report will be shared with key stakeholders in Angola for the purpose of engaging in discussions around proposed reforms and legislative provisions. 

Scope of Work: 

In line with the above, ABA ROLI is seeking a legal expert with experience in political economy analyses to conduct a Political Economy Analysis (PEA) of the justice sector reform processes and funding in Angola. The PEA consultant will report directly to the Angola Country Representative. The specific components of the assignment will be as follows: 

1. Conduct Political Economy Analysis:

• Analyze the political and economic context influencing justice sector reform in Angola. 
• Identify key stakeholders, power dynamics, and incentives that affect legal aid efforts and create obstacles to reform. Highlight opportunities for intervention, and strategies for building coalitions to support more effective delivery of legal services. 
• Assess the roles and interests as they relate to justice sector reform of various stakeholders, including government, civil society, and private actors. 

2. Desk Review of Existing Research Products: 

• Review and incorporate findings from the stakeholder mapping exercise and comparative analyses conducted under the ongoing project.
• Research legal aid and public defense models in other countries to identify best practices and lessons learned that can inform proposed reforms in Angola.
• Identify key priorities and capacity needs that have been articulated by stakeholders. 

3. Feasibility Assessment: 

• Evaluate the political and institutional feasibility of recommended reforms and funding mechanisms. 
• Provide actionable recommendations for stakeholders on short to mid-term reform options. 

4. Report Writing & Presentation: 

• Prepare a comprehensive report detailing the findings of the PEA, including an executive summary, analysis of stakeholder dynamics, and recommendations. 
• Present findings to key stakeholders in Angola, including the Legal Aid Providers' Network, and facilitate discussions around implementation strategies 

In line with these requirements, the consultant will be expected to conduct desk review of existing research (both internal to ABA-ROLI and external) as well as key informant interviews with stakeholders within the justice sector, civil society, and other relevant actors. Data collection is anticipated to be conducted remotely, though potential for in-person data collection could be explored based on the needs and requirements of the assignment as well as logistical constraints.  

Qualifications: 

• A bachelor's degree in law, international law, political science, international relations or related field. A master's degree is preferred.  

• Minimum 5-10 years of professional experience working directly with public defenders, lawyers, and other justice sector actors and mechanisms. 

• Demonstrated understanding of legal aid systems at the national and international levels. 

• Strong understanding of the current legal and policy landscape in Angola, specifically surrounding existing barriers that affect legal service delivery efforts and create obstacles to justice sector reform. 

• Proven experience conducting Political Economy Analyses, particularly in the context of justice sector reform. 

• Experience working with civil society organizations, government agencies, and international donors. 

• Strong communication, analytical, and writing skills with demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations.  

• Experience working in Angola and/or elsewhere in Sub-Saharan Africa, and strong understanding of political and operating context in Angola. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is required; proficiency in Portuguese is an advantage. 

Estimated Timeline: Specific timelines will be discussed with the successful candidate, but the consultant will be expected to work within the period from November 1, 2024 to February 1, 2025. 

Expression of Interest: Please submit the following:

• Curriculum Vitae 

•  Brief proposal describing approach and anticipated timeline for completion of the assignment. If applying as a team, the proposal should also outline the roles and responsibilities of each member of the research team. 

• Three professional references with contact information 

• Project compensation expectation or daily rate (can be revisited if candidate advances to further hiring stages)  

• Estimated budget to complete the assignment. 

• A sample of a relevant report or analysis completed in the past 

Only candidates whose applications are shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.