Maelezo

Ref: CEF/KEN/2026/019

Key Information

This Call for Expression of Interest seeks partners to support legal aid services for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) in Kenya, with a focus on strengthening access to justice systems.

• Target location: Kenya (Isiolo County)
• Sector focus: Child protection, GBV, legal assistance, access to justice, prevention and response to violence
• Indicative budget: USD 150,000 per year per applicant
• Duration: 15 July 2026 – 30 June 2029

Project Background

Kenya faces significant protection challenges despite notable development gains. Around 37.5% of the population lives below the national poverty line, and over 770,000 refugees and asylum seekers reside in the country, often in contexts with limited access to protection and justice services.

Child sexual exploitation and abuse and gender-based violence remain persistent and underreported. According to the 2019 Violence Against Children Survey, 15.6% of girls experienced sexual violence before age 18, with many experiencing repeated incidents. Digital environments are also contributing to new forms of exploitation, including online abuse and grooming.

In response, UNICEF and UNFPA are implementing a multi-year programme focused on strengthening survivor-centred, trauma-informed, and multi-sectoral services, including legal aid, psychosocial support, and prevention mechanisms.

Purpose of the Call

This specific call focuses on engaging 2–3 national NGOs (or a consortium) to strengthen access to justice for survivors of GBV and CSEA.

Selected partners will provide free legal aid services, including legal advice, assistance, and representation in criminal justice processes. The support is intended to reduce barriers that prevent survivors from pursuing justice and to strengthen survivor-centred handling of cases.

Legal aid services will include:

• Legal counselling on rights, risks, and available options
• Assistance in reporting cases and navigating police and court processes
• Court representation and case follow-up with justice actors
• Support during evidence collection, including guidance on critical timelines (e.g. 72-hour forensic window)
• Community legal literacy sessions and Legal Aid Clinics

The programme will also cover non-legal participation costs, such as transport, court attendance support, and basic logistical needs, to ensure survivors can safely access justice services.

All interventions must strictly follow do-no-harm and child-sensitive safeguarding principles, including protection from re-traumatisation and adherence to PSEA (Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards.

Expected Results

The intervention contributes to a broader outcome in which survivors of GBV and CSEA benefit from an integrated, survivor-centred response system.

Within this framework, the selected partners will focus on strengthening access to justice through legal aid services that ensure:

• Increased survivor engagement with justice systems
• Improved coordination between legal aid providers and justice actors (police, courts, prosecution)
• More effective handling of sexual offence cases through joint case support and communication protocols
• Greater community awareness of legal rights and reporting mechanisms

Applicant Requirements

Eligible organisations must be national NGOs with proven experience in legal aid provision, particularly in criminal justice processes related to GBV and CSEA.

Applicants should demonstrate:

• At least 3–5 years of relevant experience
• Capacity to deliver trauma-informed and child-sensitive legal services
• Strong collaboration with justice sector actors
• Established safeguarding and PSEA compliance systems
• Ability to manage survivor-related costs with strong financial accountability

Experience working with UN agencies is considered an advantage.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed based on:

• Quality and feasibility of proposed legal aid approach (30%)
• Institutional experience and technical capacity in GBV/CSEA legal services (20%)
• Realistic implementation timelines (10%)
• Safeguarding and PSEA compliance systems (10%)
• Sustainability and scalability of the intervention (10%)
• Cost-effectiveness and financial management capacity (20%)

Implementation Considerations

UNICEF requires all partners to comply with zero-tolerance policies on sexual exploitation and abuse. Organisations must demonstrate robust safeguarding systems, including reporting mechanisms, codes of conduct, and survivor-centred referral pathways.

Sustainability is a key expectation, including a clear exit strategy and potential for replication or scale-up beyond the project period.

Timeline

• Call posted: 13 May 2026
• Application deadline: 19 June 2026
• Results notification: 30 June 2026
• Start date: 15 July 2026
• End date: 30 June 2029

Application

Applications must be submitted via the UN Partner Portal, using the official concept note template provided.