Consultant: Desk Study on Historical Injustices and the Transgenerational Impact of Violence in Africa – Impunity Watch

Impunity Watch (IW) in collaboration with the Transitional Justice Unit, African Union Commission, is seeking a Consultant to conduct a comparative desk study on the integration of both historical injustices and the transgenerational impact of violence into transitional justice (TJ) policymaking processes across the African continent. The consultancy contributes to the ongoing partnership intervention between IW and the AU. It is conducted as part of IW’s Africa Programme and the organisation’s Vision 2030 strategy. The policy analysis will provide importance guidance in the TJ Unit’s support to member states.

1. Scope of Work
In 2025, the African Union declared “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent” as its theme of the decade. This groundbreaking decision reflects calls for redress of decades-long impunity for the transatlantic slave trade and colonial violence to be properly recognised and addressed. At a time when Western- and EU-centric understandings of international power and the ‘rules-based order’ are finally being questioned, the enduring impact of this impunity must be better understood.

Impunity Watch (IW) recently supported the African Youth for Transitional Justice Platform (AY4TJ) to publish five critical contributions to the TJ literature examining youth inclusion in reparations policy-making and the transgenerational impact of violence and trauma in Namibia, Ethiopia, South Africa, and the Great Lakes Region. These youth-led briefs deepen understanding of how past injustices continue to shape present-day inequalities, exclusion, and institutional weakness Comparative Desk Study

IW is now seeking a consultant to build on this foundation, analysing whether (and how) policymaking can integrate historical injustices and the transgenerational impact of collective trauma into TJ processes. By connecting this analysis to the AUTJP, the aim is to develop concrete policy and programming guidance for the AU and member states.

The comparative desk study builds on the understanding that TJ must tackle the root causes of systemic injustice, confronting the historical, cultural, and institutional roots of impunity – including how they affect power dynamics and political decision-making. The study will examine the persistence of colonial structures and the violence those structures reproduce, developing key policy recommendations for addressing injustice and impunity

2. Assignment
The desk study will be entirely home-based. The precise methodology and approach are open for the consultant to design, but IW and AU envisage two main deliverables:

1. Comparative Desk Study (approx. 15 days)
   The primary deliverable will be produced based on the following:
   1. 1. Desk review: Examining TJ literature, policy frameworks, and technical guidance on dismantling colonial structures, integrating historical injustices in to TJ policy, and addressing transgenerational trauma.
      2. Best practice case studies: Identifying and analysing best practice case studies (country or institutional) of policies and programming that have effectively addressed these systemic causes of violence and impunity.
      3. Policy guidance: Development of practical policy guidance, including on AUTJP-based policies promoting acknowledgment, reparations, and reforms that impact young people.
2. Policy Brief (approx. 5 days): Based on the desk study, the consultant will produce a concise policy brief summarising the key comparative findings and the policy advice.

3. Essential Skills & Experience
Impunity Watch is seeking qualified consultants with the following profile:

• Minimum 7 years’ experience working on reparations, historical injustices, and transitional justice in Africa.
• Proven experience conducting similar studies and research on the transgenerational legacies of colonialism.
• Strong understanding of IW’s key thematic and strategic approaches.
• Demonstrated understanding of TJ policymaking and strategic engagement with AU member states.
• Knowledge of the AUTJP, especially with regards to policy design.
• Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills in English.

Click the link to learn more about how to apply!