Legal Aid Society (LAS) is implementing a programme focused on strengthening the state’s response to sexual violence, child marriage, and domestic violence across Pakistan. A key intervention in Punjab is the multi-sectoral operationalization of the Anti-Rape Crisis Cell (ARCC) at Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), Bahawalpur – requiring criminal justice actors, health providers, and other referral stakeholders to understand their respective legal obligations, coordination roles, and evidence-handling responsibilities under the ARCC framework.

The Legal Consultant will develop training materials and co-facilitate a training session covering the legal framework governing ARCC operations, criminal justice actors’ obligations under the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021, and referral pathway protocols – ensuring all stakeholders are equipped to operationalize the ARCC effectively and in accordance with the law.

The objective of this consultancy is to (1) develop training materials on legal frameworks governing ARCC operations and criminal justice actors’ obligations under the Anti-Rape Act 2021, and (2) co-facilitate a training session with referral stakeholders at BVH Bahawalpur covering legal and investigative roles, multi-sectoral coordination, and evidence-handling standards within the ARCC framework.

The Legal Consultant will undertake the following:

• Develop training materials covering: the legal framework governing ARCC operations; criminal justice actors’ obligations under the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021; referral pathway protocols between police, prosecution, judiciary, and health stakeholders; and evidence-handling standards within the ARCC.
• Co-facilitate a training session with referral stakeholders at BVH Bahawalpur covering: legal and investigative roles within the ARCC; coordination mechanisms between police, prosecution, judiciary, and health providers; and evidence collection, chain of custody, and documentation standards.
• Administer pre- and post-training assessments to measure participant learning outcomes and submit results to LAS for M&E reporting.
• Submit a brief training report post-facilitation documenting key observations, participant feedback, and recommendations.

Payment will be made per deliverable upon submission and written approval by LAS. The consultant must receive written approval before proceeding to the next deliverable.

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience in criminal law, GBV law, or legal practice related to sexual violence investigation and prosecution in Pakistan.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021 and its implications for criminal justice actors including police, prosecution, and judiciary.
• Prior experience facilitating legal capacity building trainings for criminal justice actors – including police SSOIUs, prosecutors, magistrates, or GBV court judges.
• Familiarity with ARCC frameworks, referral pathway protocols, and multi-sectoral coordination between health and justice sector actors is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in Punjab’s criminal justice system is an asset.
• Track record of delivering high-quality training materials and facilitation on time.

• Criminal and GBV law expertise – deep knowledge of Anti-Rape Act 2021, evidence law, and criminal justice actors’ legal obligations.
• Legal training material development – ability to translate complex legal provisions into accessible, practical training content.
• Training facilitation – ability to co-facilitate with mixed audiences of police, prosecution, judiciary, and health providers.
• Evidence-handling and chain of custody – knowledge of forensic evidence standards and documentation requirements in rape cases.
• Multi-sectoral coordination knowledge – understanding of how ARCC referral pathways function across health and justice institutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication in English and Urdu.

The Legal Consultant will report directly to the Program Manager, Legal Aid Society. All deliverables must be submitted to the Program Manager for review. Written approval from LAS is required before the consultant may proceed to the next deliverable and before any payment is processed.

LAS reserves the right to request revisions to any deliverable within 10 working days of submission. The consultant must incorporate all feedback and resubmit within 5 working days of receiving comments.

All materials, training content, assessment data, and documents produced under this consultancy are the sole property of Legal Aid Society. The consultant may not share, publish, or use any project materials without prior written consent from LAS.

LAS is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. All applications will receive consideration regardless of sex, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

LAS is committed to the prevention and protection from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. The selected consultant will be required to sign and adhere to LAS’s PSEA policy throughout the engagement.