CONSULTANCY - BASELINE SURVEY ON CYBER CRIMES IN EAST AFRICA

BACKGROUND

IDLO has been implementing a Transnational Organized Crime in East Africa (EATOC) Project, funded by the United States Department, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The project aims to strengthen State Responses to Transnational Organized Crimes (TOC) in Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique through (i)strengthening national and regional policy and legal frameworks on TOC in the 3 countries; and (ii) enhancing national and regional capacities for collaboration and coordination of the prevention and responses to TOC in the 3 countries.

During the assessment of the legal frameworks and institutional capacities for TOC response, as well as in the implementation phase of the EATOC project across the three focus countries, stakeholders have identified cybercrime as a growing threat to national and regional security, economic stability, and public trust in digital systems. Given this emerging priority, there is a pressing need to understand the scale, nature, and dynamics of cybercrime in the region to inform the design of interventions that respond specifically to the emergence and configuration of cybercrime in the region.

IDLO seeks to engage a consultant to undertake a comprehensive baseline survey that assesses the prevalence of, types and impacts of cybercrimes in East Africa. The assessment would also identify existing policy and legal frameworks and countermeasures that address cybercrime both at the national and regional levels. The consultant shall report directly to IDLO’s Programme Lead for the EATOC Project.

The Consultant’s duties and responsibilities will be as follows:

• Conduct an inception meeting with IDLO to discuss the TORs, the scope of the assignment, methodology, expectations and outcomes, and present the assignment strategy.
• Conduct extensive desk and field research on the scope, nature, prevalence, types, actors of cybercrimes in East Africa, as well as existing legal frameworks, institutions and practices in handling cybercrime in East Africa.
• Develop a draft Baseline Survey Report on cybercrime in East Africa.
• Present the draft to a stakeholders’ forum organized by IDLO and consider the feedback from the stakeholders to improve the draft.
• Consider the feedback from the stakeholders’ forum and develop and present a Final Baseline Survey Report on cybercrime in East Africa.

DELIVERABLE

1. An Inception Report detailing the approach, milestones and timelines for the assignment.
2. Initial Draft of the Final Baseline Survey Report on Cybercrime in East Africa.
3. Final Baseline Survey Report on cybercrime in East Africa.

Education

• A master’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized university.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in legal research, analysis, and drafting.
• Understanding of the Cybercrime landscape in Africa
• Experience in the fields of Transnational Organized Crime
• Demonstrated experience in undertaking baseline survey and report writing
• At least one publication in a related field of study 

Technical Competencies

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Excellent work ethic founded on integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality
• Professionalism in the process of engaging with multiple government agencies
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs and other relevant computer applications

The consultancy contracts will run for 60 days from 2 August to 30 September 2025. The assignment is output-based, and flexibility and availability are required to ensure the completion of work within the timelines.

Applications will be screened on a regular basis; a qualified applicant might be recruited before the deadline. In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications of qualified candidates of all backgrounds. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies.

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature, or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.

Application Deadline: 20 July 2025