Capacity Building Program for South Sudan and Ukraine

Deadline: 02-Aug-21

The Department of State’s Office of Global Criminal Justice (J/GCJ) seeks applications for one award that leverages economies of scale to the extent appropriate in/ for two programs- one in/ for South Sudan and one in/for Ukraine.

These programs will build capacity in international human rights, criminal, and humanitarian law (IHL) and training programs in the investigation and prosecution of serious international crimes.

GCJ seeks to strengthen accountability mechanisms to investigate those responsible for serious international crimes committed during both armed conflict and times of peace (killings, arbitrary detentions, torture, missing persons) and to encourage the highest standards in investigations conducted by prosecutors and their offices, while also ensuring that the conduct of criminal cases related to such crimes meet internationally accepted legal standards.

Applicants must incorporate support and complement ongoing transitional justice work being undertaken by other U.S. government entities and international donors, as well the United Nations, other international organizations, and non-governmental organizations in South Sudan and Ukraine.

Applicants must demonstrate a flexible and responsive approach to time-sensitive requirements; a capacity to monitor and evaluate activities; as well as coordinate activities with the Department of State and other relevant U.S. government entities and international donors.

Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of international criminal law, international humanitarian and human rights law, operational investigative and prosecutorial work, and jurisdictions available to seek criminal accountability for atrocities in priority countries.

Applicants should be sensitive to the in-country context of South Sudan and Ukraine. Applicants should demonstrate an ability to navigate dynamic and challenging operating environments in their proposals, especially in terms of program implementation and monitoring. Applicants should consider inclusion of civil society, including medical and legal professionals, where appropriate.

Program Objectives

Expand the working capabilities of lawyers, judges, investigators and other legal professionals in IHL and international criminal law and where applicable the capability of domestic courts to investigate and prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other serious violations of international law. Programming may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following areas:

Pursuant to an action plan, train and educate lawyers, judges, and investigators in the highest legal standards in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes: such as war crimes and crimes against humanity;
Provide instruction on the collation, preservation, and analysis of evidence of international crimes, as well as maintaining documentary evidence in line with “chain of custody” standards;
Provide targeted training to investigators on forensics, crime scene analysis, and trial preparation;
Provide training to lawyers on the building of case files against alleged violators of international humanitarian and human rights law; as well as the filing of criminal complaints in courts that may have jurisdiction over atrocities where applicable;
Provide training and technical assistance to lawyers and professional legal associations in order to increase their knowledge and skills to provide for the legal defense of citizens and for the advocacy for victims of atrocity and conflict-related crimes in close coordination with existing U.S. government efforts, and other donors.
Facilitate general training in witness-protection and trauma sensitivity to those representing/and or dealing with victims of trauma;

Funding Information

Estimated Length of Project Period: Up to 48 months
Estimated Number of Awards: 1
Estimated Total Program Funding: $2,500,000
Estimated Award Ceiling: $2,500,000
Estimated Award Floor: $2,500,000

Problem Statement

Both the investigation and prosecution of international crimes: war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide demand a very specific set of advanced skills and training. Firstly, evidence collection provides the critical framework for holding perpetrators criminally accountable, as well as acting as a crucial fact-finding mechanism for historical purposes. Secondly, the prosecution of perpetrators requires that investigators, lawyers and judges are well trained and educated in the application of international criminal law, IHL and international human rights law.

Priority Regions: South Sudan, Ukraine

Desired Results and Indicators

Applicants are expected to achieve the following desired results:

measurable increases in the education of legal professionals in IHL and international criminal law,
capabilities of investigative mechanisms and criminal courts to address cases of atrocity- and conflict related crimes where applicable;
foster expansion of the rule of law; and
build public confidence in the investigative and judicial sectors.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants include U.S. or foreign:
- Non-profit organizations;
- For-profit organizations;
- Private institutions of higher education;
- Public or state institutions of higher education;
- Public international organizations;
Applicants should have functional experience in laying the foundation for transitional justice-related activities.
Applicants may form consortia and submit a combined proposal. However, one organization should be designated as the lead applicant with the other members as sub-award partners.
The Department of State is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its programs and activities. The Department of State welcomes applications irrespective of an applicants’ race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. They encourage applications from organizations working with underserved communities, including women, people with disabilities, and youth.
Applicants must have the organizational capacity to implement program components in countries proposed. Applicants must also have experience in conducting risk assessments and monitoring and evaluating programs and sub-recipients in order to document and assess the short- and long-term outcomes of proposed projects.
Applicants will be required to include partnerships with local individuals and/or organizations, including those displaced, as part of their project design. Extensive partnerships with international accountability mechanisms, national law enforcement agencies, documentation organizations, and/or international or professional legal associations, are useful to ensure that all program activities can be implemented quickly