Consultancy - Professional Mediation Training and Certification

The Kenyan Judiciary is an independent, transparent, and accountable institution anchored in Article 159 of the Constitution of Kenya. Deriving its authority directly from the people of Kenya, the Judiciary is committed to upholding the National Values and Principles of Governance enshrined under Article 10. Its overarching mission is to administer justice fairly, impartially, and expeditiously while expanding access to legal remedies and advancing local jurisprudence in alignment with the rule of law. Pursuant to Article 159(2)(c) of the Constitution, the Judiciary is explicitly mandated to promote alternative forms of dispute resolution. This commitment is anchored in the Judiciary’s strategic blueprint, Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ), which promotes a people-centered multi-door court model to provide accessible, efficient, and varied pathways to justice. Central to operationalizing this multi-door framework is the Court Annexed Mediation (CAM) Programme.

To support the vision of the STAJ blueprint and enhance the capacity of the multi-door courthouse approach, the Judiciary seeks a qualified consultant to deliver a comprehensive 40-hour professional mediation training course. The effective scaling of the CAM Programme relies on building a strong, skilled cadre of accredited mediators capable of facilitating constructive dialogue and guiding parties toward mutually satisfactory resolutions. Candidates must satisfy rigorous professional standards to qualify for formal recognition and inclusion in the official register maintained by the Mediation Accreditation Committee (M.A.C), established pursuant to Section 59A of the Civil Procedure Act. Ultimately, this consultancy aims to deepen mediator proficiency, reduce reliance on traditional litigation, alleviate court case backlogs, and realize the STAJ goal of inclusive, multi-door justice delivery across Kenya.

The Assignment

The consultant will be entrusted with leading the end-to-end delivery of the training initiative across the designated counties from August to November 2026. Specifically, the consultant's core responsibilities encompass:

• Planning and delivering intensive five-day, 40-hour mediation training sessions for 30 selected participants in each region. The sessions will cover core mediation principles, procedural frameworks, and practical dispute resolution skills to strengthen participants’ professional mediation practice.
• Developing and distributing comprehensive training materials before the training to support effective learning, practical application, and long-term knowledge retention among all participants.
• Issuing official certificates of completion from a recognized mediation training institution and guiding all qualified participants through the formal accreditation process administered by the Mediation Accreditation Committee (M.A.C) pursuant to Section 59A of the Civil Procedure Act.
• Designing and facilitating an online refresher module for trained mediators in December 2026. This session will focus on advanced conflict resolution techniques and best contemporary practices.

Deliverables

The Consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• Delivery of the 40-hour professional mediation training in Kilifi, Kajiado, and Mandera Counties for 30 participants per region from August to November 2026.
• Comprehensive training materials package distributed before training to all participants to ensure effective learning and long-term application.
• Certification recognized by MAC and accredited by the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) upon completion of each training.
• Accreditation support for qualified participants, including guidance through the formal Mediation Accreditation Committee (MAC) process.
• Online refresher session designed and delivered in December 2026, focusing on advanced mediation practice, contemporary conflict resolution techniques, and continued professional development for trained mediators.

Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution in Law, Sociology, Political Science, Peace and Conflict Studies, or a related social science field.
• Certified and accredited professional mediator registered under the Court Annexed Mediation (CAM) Programme of the Kenyan Judiciary (Mediation Accreditation Committee - MAC) and National Industrial Training Authority (NITA).
• Minimum of 6-7 years’ experience in facilitating training in the field of mediation or other ADR mechanisms.

Skills and Competencies

• Prior experience delivering on similar assignments, including the development of training curricula and policies on ADR.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills with the capacity to process qualitative and quantitative information and produce precise reports.
• Ability to adapt to local contexts and communicate complex issues in a simple, clear, and accessible manner.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Fluency in English and Swahili is required.

Applicants must submit a comprehensive financial quote based on a fixed unit cost per participant. The quote should cover the delivery of the certified mediation training and facilitation of the accreditation process for 30 participants in each region.

To ensure smooth operational delivery, IDLO will directly cover all participants' related venue and logistical expenses. IDLO will facilitate consultant travel, meals and accommodation expenses.

The consultancy period, level of effort, remuneration, and payment schedule will be specified in the consultancy contract. Payments will be linked to the satisfactory completion and approval of agreed deliverables in accordance with IDLO's contractual procedures.

All work produced under this assignment, including reports, datasets, interview records, analytical tools, presentations, and supporting documentation, shall become the property of IDLO. The consultant shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained during the assignment and comply with IDLO's policies on ethics, data protection, safeguarding, and information security.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome applications from 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: 25 August 2026 (23:59hrs Rome Time)