CONTEXTUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON EXTREME INJUSTICES IN NAIROBI INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

Implementing Organization: Kituo Cha Sheria 
Project: Strengthening Access to Justice for Survivors of Extreme Injustices 
Location: Nairobi informal settlements (specific locations to be determined during inception) 
Duration: 12 weeks 
Reporting to: Forced Migration Program Coordinator, Kituo Cha Sheria. 

1. BACKGROUND 

Approximately 60% of Nairobi’s population resides in informal settlements, where systemic marginalization and limited access to formal justice systems create heightened vulnerability to extreme injustices. According to Justice Ventures International’s framework, extreme injustices are violations that cause profound harm to human dignity and physical or psychological wellbeing, are rooted in systems of power and inequality, and disproportionately affect marginalized populations. These include human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), extrajudicial killings, torture, forced evictions, and denial of essential services such as healthcare. 

While national data on extreme injustices exists, there remains limited systematic documentation of the specific manifestations, prevalence, and response gaps in Nairobi’s informal settlements. Kituo Cha Sheria’s experience providing legal aid in Nairobi suggests that many survivors face significant barriers to accessing justice, including fear of retaliation, lack of awareness of legal remedies, documentation challenges, and distance from formal justice institutions. Human trafficking cases in particular are believed to be severely underreported, with survivors often unable to access specialized legal support even when they come forward. 

Understanding human trafficking in informal settlements requires examining how it intersects with other forms of extreme injustice and structural vulnerability. Kituo’s preliminary observations, supported by broader literature on urban informal settlements, suggest that trafficking rarely occurs in isolation. Rather, it appears to be enabled by compounding factors including documentation gaps that leave refugees and undocumented persons particularly vulnerable, economic desperation that blurs the line between labor exploitation and forced labor, housing insecurity that creates conditions ripe for exploitation, and experiences of violence or police brutality that erode trust in formal justice systems and make survivors reluctant to report crimes. 

However, the specific dynamics of how trafficking and other extreme injustices operate in Nairobi’s informal settlements including typologies, prevalence patterns, vulnerability factors, and intersections among different forms of injustice remain inadequately understood. Furthermore, advocates and paralegals working in these contexts often encounter trafficking cases but lack specialized tools, procedures, and guidance to provide effective, trauma-informed support. This consultancy addresses both gaps through a two-phase sequential process: first conducting a contextual needs assessment to understand the landscape of extreme injustices with particular attention to trafficking, then using those findings to develop a practical Anti-Trafficking Legal Toolkit tailored to the realities and needs identified in Phase 1. 

2. OBJECTIVES 

This consultancy has dual, interconnected objectives structured in sequential phases: 

Phase 1 Objective: Contextual Needs Assessment 

Conduct a rapid contextual needs assessment that generates evidence to inform Kituo Cha Sheria’s program design and response mechanisms for survivors of extreme injustices in Nairobi’s informal settlements. This includes mapping the types, patterns, and perceived prevalence of extreme injustices with particular attention to human trafficking, examining how trafficking intersects with other extreme injustices and identifying populations facing compounded vulnerabilities, assessing existing community-based and formal response mechanisms and their accessibility and quality, documenting systemic barriers preventing survivors from accessing justice and protection, and generating actionable recommendations for program design including priority interventions and capacity-building needs. 

Phase 2 Objective: Anti-Trafficking Toolkit Development 

Develop a comprehensive, user-friendly, and field-tested Anti-Trafficking Legal Toolkit informed by Phase 1 findings that enhances the capacity of advocates and paralegals to effectively identify, support, and seek justice for trafficking survivors. This includes providing clear, accessible guidance on Kenya’s anti-trafficking legal framework and victim rights, equipping advocates with practical tools to identify trafficking cases and conduct trauma-informed screening, developing step-by-step protocols for managing trafficking cases from identification through legal proceedings, mapping and documenting referral pathways specific to Nairobi’s informal settlements, integrating trauma-informed principles throughout the toolkit with practical guidance on survivor-centered practice, and ensuring field relevance through testing with frontline practitioners and incorporating feedback before finalization. 

The critical linkage between phases is that Phase 1, in addition to mapping the extreme injustices, will identify the specific trafficking typologies, vulnerability factors, service gaps, and systemic barriers present in the target settlements, which will then directly inform the content, tools, and guidance developed in Phase 2, ensuring the toolkit addresses actual rather than assumed needs. 

3. SCOPE OF WORK 

PHASE 1: CONTEXTUAL NEEDS ASSESSMENT (Weeks 1-6) 

The consultant will conduct a 6-week rapid needs assessment structured in two sub-phases: data collection (3 weeks) and analysis/report writing (3 weeks). The geographic focus will be Nairobi’s informal settlements, with specific locations to be determined during the inception phase in consultation with Kituo Cha Sheria. 

Sub-Phase 1A: Inception and Data Collection (Weeks 1-3) 

The consultant will begin with a desk review of existing literature, reports, and data on extreme injustices in Nairobi’s informal settlements. The consultant will develop a detailed methodology including sampling strategy, data collection tools (interview guides, focus group discussion protocols, community mapping exercises), ethical protocols ensuring trauma-informed consent and confidentiality, and a risk mitigation plan addressing both researcher safety in informal settlements and participant protection. Primary data collection will employ mixed qualitative methods tailored to different stakeholder groups, including individual interviews with survivors of extreme injustices using trauma-informed consent procedures and ensuring referral pathways for those requiring support, focus group discussions with community members (gender-disaggregated where appropriate) to understand perceptions of injustice and informal coping mechanisms, and key informant interviews with community leaders, frontline service providers (paralegals, community health volunteers, social workers), and justice sector actors (police, prosecutors, legal aid organizations).  

Special attention should be given to understanding human trafficking within the broader context, exploring trafficking typologies, recruitment and control mechanisms, survivor profiles, and how trafficking intersects with other extreme injustices. Throughout data collection, the consultant must adhere to the highest ethical standards, implementing do-no-harm protocols, ensuring confidentiality and safe data storage, establishing referral pathways, and conducting fieldwork with appropriate safety measures. 

Sub-Phase 1B: Analysis and Report Writing (Weeks 4-6) 

The consultant will analyze qualitative data to identify key themes and patterns related to prevalence and manifestations of extreme injustices, vulnerability profiles and compounding risk factors, existing response mechanisms and their strengths and weaknesses, systemic barriers to justice, and community perspectives on priority needs. The analysis should highlight both commonalities across settlements and context-specific dynamics requiring tailored approaches. 

The consultant will prepare a comprehensive needs assessment report organized around the study’s key objectives, written in accessible language suitable for both technical and non-technical audiences. The report must be grounded in evidence with findings clearly linked to data sources, and should balance breadth (covering all extreme injustices) with depth (providing sufficient detail on trafficking to inform specialized interventions in Phase 2). The consultant will present draft findings to Kituo Cha Sheria and key stakeholders in a validation workshop, incorporating feedback before finalizing the report. 

Critical Output for Phase 2: The final needs assessment report must include a dedicated section synthesizing findings most relevant to anti-trafficking toolkit development, including specific trafficking typologies and patterns documented in target settlements, profiles of survivors and high-risk populations, gaps in current identification and response capacity among frontline practitioners, systemic legal and procedural barriers specific to trafficking cases, existing referral pathways and service landscape, and recommendations for priority toolkit content and tools based on documented needs. 

PHASE 2: ANTI-TRAFFICKING TOOLKIT DEVELOPMENT (Weeks 7-14) 

Building directly on Phase 1 findings, the consultant, in consultation with and guidance from Kituo Cha Sheria, will develop a comprehensive Anti-Trafficking Legal Toolkit specifically designed for advocates and paralegals working in informal settlement contexts. The toolkit will serve as a hands-on resource providing clear guidance on trafficking identification, legal procedures under Kenyan law, case management protocols, referral pathways, and trauma-informed survivor support, all contextualized to the realities documented in Phase 1. 

Sub-Phase 2A: Research and Content Development (Weeks 7-10) 

The consultant will conduct a desk review of Kenya’s Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act 2010 and implementing regulations, related legislation, national plans of action, international instruments, and best practice toolkits from comparable jurisdictions. The consultant will consult with stakeholders including Kituo’s advocates and paralegals, partner organizations, Counter-Trafficking in Persons Unit officers, prosecutors, service providers, and if ethically appropriate, trafficking survivors willing to share perspectives. 

Based on this research and Phase 1 findings, the consultant will develop comprehensive toolkit content organized into modular sections. Core components should include understanding human trafficking in Kenya with contextualized information drawn from Phase 1 on trafficking in informal settlements, identification and screening tools adapted to the specific typologies and contexts documented in Phase 1, trauma-informed survivor support guidance, legal procedures and remedies under Kenyan law, case management protocols, referral pathways with a service directory reflecting the landscape mapped in Phase 1. 

Each module should use plain language accessible to users with varying educational backgrounds, incorporate visual aids including flowcharts and checklists, provide illustrative case scenarios adapted to informal settlement contexts identified in Phase 1, include ready-to-use templates and forms, and offer key takeaway boxes summarizing critical information.  

Sub-Phase 2B: Field Testing and Refinement (Weeks 11-12) 

The consultant will facilitate field testing of the toolkit with frontline practitioners through a pilot workshop with advocates and paralegals representing diverse experience levels. The workshop will walk through each toolkit module, allowing participants to review content for clarity and relevance, apply tools to sample case scenarios, and provide feedback on usability and needed improvements. The consultant will compile and analyze feedback, identify common themes and priority revisions, and revise toolkit content accordingly to ensure the final version reflects frontline reality. 

Sub-Phase 2C: Finalization (Weeks 13-14) 

Based on field testing feedback, the consultant will finalize all toolkit content, ensuring consistency in terminology and formatting, incorporating final edits and clarifications, and ensuring all templates and forms are complete and user-ready. The toolkit should be produced in both print-ready PDF format and editable Word format. The consultant will also develop a brief Toolkit Dissemination and Training Plan providing recommendations for rolling out the toolkit, suggested training curricula, strategies for ongoing updating particularly the referral directory, and monitoring indicators to assess toolkit use and impact. 

4. DELIVERABLES 

Phase 1 Deliverables: 

Deliverable 1.1: Inception Report (End of Week 1) 
A 10 page report detailing understanding of the assignment, proposed methodology including sampling strategy and data collection instruments, work plan with weekly milestones, ethical protocols and risk mitigation measures, and stakeholder engagement plan. Annexes should include draft consent forms, interview guides, and focus group discussion protocols. 

Deliverable 1.2: Draft Needs Assessment Report (End of Week 6) 
A 20-30 page report presenting findings from desk review and primary data collection, organized thematically around types of extreme injustices and trafficking patterns, vulnerability factors and intersectionality, current services and response mechanisms, systemic barriers to justice, and preliminary recommendations. The report should include executive summary, methodology, detailed findings with illustrative quotes and anonymized case examples, and initial recommendations. 

Deliverable 1.3: Validation Workshop and Report (Week 7) 
A half-day workshop presenting key findings to Kituo staff, partner organizations, and select community representatives for feedback and validation. A brief workshop report (5-10 pages) summarizing discussions and how feedback was incorporated should be submitted. 

Deliverable 1.4: Final Needs Assessment Report (End of Week 8) 
A revised and finalized report (20-30 pages) incorporating stakeholder feedback, including executive summary, background and context, methodology and limitations, detailed findings organized by key themes, analysis and discussion, actionable recommendations for program design, and a dedicated section synthesizing findings relevant to toolkit development. The report should be submitted in both PDF and editable Word formats. 

Phase 2 Deliverables: 

Deliverable 2.1: Toolkit Inception Report (End of Week 9) 
A 10 page report outlining understanding of Phase 2 assignment, proposed toolkit structure and content outline informed by Phase 1 findings, stakeholder consultation plan, work plan for toolkit development, and methodology for field testing. The report should include a preliminary annotated table of contents showing proposed modules and key topics. 

Deliverable 2.2: Draft Anti-Trafficking Toolkit (End of Week 11) 
A comprehensive draft toolkit (80-100 pages) including all proposed modules with developed content, draft templates and tools, initial visual aids and graphics, and a draft service directory. The draft should be complete enough for meaningful field testing. 

Deliverable 2.3: Field Testing Report (End of Week 12) 
A report summarizing the field-testing process, participant feedback organized by toolkit module, key themes and recommendations for improvement, and the consultant’s plan for revisions based on feedback, with completed feedback forms as annexes. 

Deliverable 2.4: Final Anti-Trafficking Legal Toolkit (End of Week 14) 
The finalized toolkit incorporating all feedback and revisions, professionally designed and formatted, provided in both print-ready PDF and editable Word formats, accompanied by a Toolkit Dissemination and Training Plan providing practical guidance for rollout and ongoing use. 

5. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS 

Kituo Cha Sheria seeks a senior consultant capable of executing both phases of this assignment, requiring a unique combination of research expertise, anti-trafficking specialization, and instructional design skills. Essential qualifications include an advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in law, social sciences, human rights, criminology, or a related field, and a minimum of 5 years of professional experience spanning both qualitative research and anti-trafficking practice or legal aid provision. 

The consultant must have demonstrated expertise in conducting needs assessments or qualitative research in human rights or justice contexts, with strong skills in participatory research methods, trauma-informed research ethics, and community engagement. Simultaneously, the consultant must have specialized knowledge of human trafficking, including Kenya’s Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act 2010 and related legal frameworks, as well as proven experience developing practical toolkits, training materials, or standard operating procedures for legal aid providers or community-based organizations. 

Strong analytical and report writing skills are essential, with the ability to synthesize complex qualitative data into clear findings and translate complex legal concepts into accessible guidance suitable for users with varied educational backgrounds. The consultant should have deep familiarity with Kenya’s justice system, legal aid landscape, and the operational context of informal settlements in Nairobi, as well as understanding of intersectional vulnerabilities including refugee protection issues, gender, disability, and economic marginalization. 

6. WORKING ARRANGEMENTS 

The consultancy will span 14 weeks. The consultant will be based in Nairobi and is expected to conduct fieldwork in targeted informal settlements. The consultant will report to the Project Coordinator and participate in check-ins, discuss emerging findings or issues, and align outputs with organizational priorities. There will be a formal handover meeting between Phase 1 and Phase 2 to ensure Phase 1 findings effectively inform Phase 2 toolkit development. The consultant is expected to work collaboratively with Kituo’s legal aid team throughout both phases, facilitating knowledge transfer and incorporating practical insights into both the needs assessment and toolkit content. 

All research activities must comply with Kituo Cha Sheria’s safeguarding policies and ethical standards. The consultant is responsible for ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and the safety and wellbeing of research participants, with any serious safeguarding concerns reported immediately to Kituo’s management. The finalized toolkit will be the property of Kituo Cha Sheria, which reserves the right to adapt, reproduce, and disseminate it for non-commercial purposes in support of anti-trafficking response. 

7. BUDGET AND APPLICATION PROCESS 

Interested consultants should submit a technical proposal (maximum 10 pages) detailing their understanding of the assignment and the critical linkage between Phase 1 and Phase 2, proposed methodology for the needs assessment including sampling, data collection, and analysis approaches, proposed toolkit structure with annotated outline informed by initial understanding of the context, integrated work plan showing how both phases will be executed within fourteen weeks with key milestones and decision points, quality assurance measures including ethical protocols and field testing approach, and any anticipated challenges and mitigation strategies. 

The proposal should be accompanied by the consultant’s CV (maximum 5 pages) highlighting relevant experience in both research and toolkit/training material development, three writing samples demonstrating both analytical skills (needs assessment or research report) and instructional design skills (toolkit, training manual, or practice guidance), contact details for three professional references who can speak to the consultant’s relevant experience in both research and practice tool development, and a financial proposal with all amounts in Kenya Shillings. 

Applications should be submitted to procurement@kituochasheria.or.ke and copied to info@kituochasheria.or.ke with the subject line “Needs Assessment and Toolkit Development Consultancy,” no later than 20th January 2026. Evaluation will be based on technical approach and methodology for both phases (40%), relevant experience spanning research and toolkit development (30%), understanding of informal settlement and anti-trafficking contexts (20%), and financial proposal (10%). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.