Consultant: Desk Study on Youth Participation in National Transitional Justice Consultations 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 youth participation in transitional justice (TJ) consultations. The consultancy contributes to the ongoing partnership intervention between IW and the AU on youth participation in TJ across Africa. 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
Public consultations are often considered opportunities for democratic engagement in the design of TJ processes. They are said to increase the legitimacy of transitional measures and the likelihood that they respond to the root causes of violence and the demands of affected communities. Across the African continent, consultations prior to the formulation of TJ policies have taken place in multiple contexts – e.g. Burundi (2009); Gambia (2017); Central African Republic (2019); Democratic Republic of the Congo (2019; 2022-2024); Ethiopia (2022-2023); Chad (2025). In contexts like Sierra Leone, national consultative conferences were held post-TJ (2007; 2010) to examine the implementation of the TRC’s recommendations.

The importance of such consultative processes is recognised in the African Union’s Transitional Justice Policy (AUTJP). Among its guiding principles, the AUTJP states that “Provision should be made for ensuring the active participation of women and youth through affirmative action measures in designing and implementing … transitional processes”. Moreover, the policy notes that broad-based consultations are key to the success of TJ and the primary responsibility of state actors. The critical importance of consultations is likewise outlined in the 2023 UN SG’s Guidance Note on TJ and subsequent OHCHR technical guidance on supporting national consultations.

Comparative Desk Study
This study therefore aims to gain a better understanding of youth participation in public consultations on TJ across the continent and to promote development and formulation of policy guidance on youth participation in transitional justice process in Africa. Anecdotal evidence from several contexts suggests that young people have been only symbolically engaged in consultations, risking marginalisation and disengagement from TJ processes. The objective of the study is to analyse and compare youth experiences in public consultations across transitional justice processes, proposing concrete policy advice to support implementation of the AUTJP at the national level. The study will also begin exploring why youth engage with consultations, laying a foundation for further research into the political mobilisation of young people around TJ.

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:

• Comparative Desk Study (approx. 15 days)
  The primary deliverable will be produced based on the following:
  • Desk review: Examining TJ literature, policy frameworks, and technical guidance on public consultations to analyse youth engagement and participation.
  • Case studies: Analysis of a selected number of country case studies to identify comparative lessons on youth engagement.
  • Policy guidance: Development of practical policy guidance on designing public consultations that effectively and meaningfully engage young people.
• 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 transitional justice in Africa.
• Proven experience conducting similar studies and research.
• 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 AU and 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!