Job ID: 308014

Consultant to Conduct Cost-Benefit Analysis and Social Services Mapping Related to Poverty Decriminalization Efforts in Sierra Leone

The Carter Center

Location: Atlanta, United States, Sierra Leone

Apply by: 24 Jun 2026

Relevant Sectors

Human Rights, Law, Migration, Conflicts, Justice

Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis

Social, Education, Gender, Youth, Child

Request for Proposals:

Consultant to Conduct Cost-Benefit Analysis and Social Services Mapping Related to Poverty Decriminalization Efforts in Sierra Leone

Summary

As Sierra Leone undertakes legal reforms to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties for petty offenses related to poverty, it is crucial for advocates – both within government and among civil society - to understand both the financial implications of decriminalizing these offenses and the pre-existing social services that are available to support people experiencing poverty. With reliable data, policymakers can take informed decisions about where to invest valuable resources for the best social outcomes, and government actors and civil society members can participate in the creation and implementation of sound policies grounded in evidence.

The Carter Center has nearly two decades of experience implementing rule of law programming in West Africa. Our programs in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia have advanced access to justice, security sector accountability, gender equality and empowerment,and mental health services.In Sierra Leone, the Center has supported the government and civil society in improvingdata-informed sexual and gender-based violence response and prevention, advancing gender representation in the Judiciary by assisting in implementing the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, and conducting a study of women’s access to public information. In parallel, the Center is working in Atlanta, Georgia (USA) to facilitate targeted policy reforms that decriminalize poverty and mental illness by increasing public awareness, support, and use of alternatives to police response and criminal penalties while bolstering investment in community-based crisis intervention and public services.

Building on this combined regional and thematic experience, The Carter Center seeks to commission a high-level Poverty Decriminalization Brief (PDB) that analyzes the costs and outcomes of potential decriminalization policies in Sierra Leone. The PDB will also include a high-level mapping of the key social services available to support individuals experiencing poverty who have been diverted from the criminal justice system. The PDB will be developed, implemented, and socialized with key government and civil society partners to inform and build consensus on the next steps for decriminalizing poverty in Sierra Leone.

Purpose, Objectives, and Scope

The purpose of this consultancy is to produce a Poverty Decriminalization Brief (PDB) that assesses the costs of criminal justice responses to poverty-related petty offenses in Sierra Leone and compares these costs with those incurred by redirecting those accused of petty offenses to available social service interventions. The PDB will also identify existing pathways to divert individuals from the criminal justice system toward appropriate social support.

The consultant (or consulting team) will undertake the following tasks:

A. Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA)

Identify and analyze direct costs to the government and Sierra Leonean public as well as indirect and opportunity costs (i.e., lost income and associated economic activity, long-term employability impacts, etc.) for the following:

detaining and prosecuting individuals charged with petty offenses and incarcerating those convicted. The analysis should also consider system-level costs such as managing prison populations and the use of judicial resources.

alternative sentencing, such as deferred sentencing and community service, and other decarceration-focused approaches for individuals convicted of petty offenses. The analysis should also consider system-level costs such as managing and tracking alternative sentencing programs.

treating the underlying problems associated with petty offenses, like poverty or homelessness, through a sampling of existing social services.

It is anticipated that the analysis will adopt a mixed methods approach, combining quantitative data and economic modeling with qualitative insights, including narratives from individuals with lived experience of poverty and criminal justice system contacts, perspectives from justice and social service sector actors, and insights from community leaders and members.

Compare the three sets of costs to help inform decision-making by policy makers and government actors such as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The analysis should account for an appropriate time horizon to capture long-term socioeconomic impacts. Data should include sufficient disaggregation by gender, age, disability status, charge (loitering, petty trading, non-payment of fines, etc.), and geographic distribution.

B. Social Services Mapping (SSM)

Identify available social and financial services provided by government, civil society, the private sector, and religious institutions that individuals diverted from the criminal justice system through decriminalization could use to address the root causes commonly associated with petty offenses.

Map potential pathways to channel people at risk of being charged with, already charged with, or convicted of petty offenses due to poverty or mental health challenges to relevant, existing social services to ensure they receive aligned social support rather than criminal penalties.

C. Stakeholder Engagement

Consult with relevant government institutions, including but not limited to the Justice Sector Coordination Office, MoJ, Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Social Welfare.

Engage key civil society organizations to facilitate data collection (e.g., AdvocAid, the Center for Accountability and Rule of Law).

D. PDB Development

Draft a comprehensive PDB using CBA and SSM findings. The PDB should include a written report and accompanying visual presentation materials.

Validate preliminary PDB findings with key government and civil society partners prior to finalization, and adjust the report as needed to account for validation findings.

Finalize and broadly socialize the PDB findings and recommendations with government and civil society stakeholders.

Deliverables and Timeline

The assignment timeline is approximately six (6) months, from July to November 2026. The consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables in a comprehensive and professional manner. Payment will be issued upon successful completion of the specified deliverable and after receiving necessary approvals from The Carter Center.

Deliverable	Task	Anticipated Timeline	Payment (% of contract price)
Inception Report/Note	Provide a detailed description of the methodology and technical approach	Within one week of contract execution	20%
Data Collection	Conduct CBA and SSM	July 1 – August 31, 2026	(included with PDB drafting)
PDB Drafting	Draft comprehensive report including CBA and SSM findings	September 1 - 15, 2026	50%
Presentation and Validation of PDB with Government and Civil Society	Incorporate Carter Center feedback Present and Validate CBA and SSM findings	September 15 - 30, 2026	15%
Finalize and Socialize PDB	Incorporate feedback from stakeholders Socialize PDB findings in collaboration with The Carter Center	October 2026	15%

Qualifications

The successful applicant/consulting team will demonstrate familiarity with conducting cost-benefit or economic analyses, preferably in the justice or social services sectors; service mapping; a deep understanding of Sierra Leone culture and context; and a proven record of policy-relevant research and stakeholder engagement.

The lead consultant will have an advanced university degree or equivalent experience.

Contract Management

The consultant/consulting team will be managed by the Associate Director in Atlanta and the Program Coordinator in Sierra Leone.

The consultant/consulting team will observe the highest ethical standards and use their best efforts to protect The Carter Center against fraud in the performance of the contract. In particular, the consultant will not engage in any corrupt, fraudulent, coercive, collusive, or obstructive conduct. The consultant will agree to abide by the Carter Center’s code of conduct for the duration of the consultancy (to be provided before deployment, along with the contract). The consultant will also employ ethical data collection practices.

The Carter Center will provide ongoing input into the process based on its own experience and understanding of the issues being addressed.

Application Instructions

Interested parties should submit an application by 5pm GMT on June 24, 2026, at the following link: https://filerequestpro.com/up/cba-and-social-ssm-consultant

Applications should include:

Written Proposal of no more than five pages, including:

Background, Qualification, Expertise, and Experience;

Proposed methodology and technical approach, including Workplan/Timeline; and,

Cost proposal (budget).

Updated Resumes of the Applicant/Key Personnel.

Examples of past cost-benefit analyses and samples of previous work related to the purpose of this consultancy.

Shortlisted candidates may be required to submit additional documentation, respond to further questions, or take part in a virtual interview at the Carter Center’s discretion.

The Carter Center is committed to diversity and encourages applications from women and local experts in Sierra Leone.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated and scored by an evaluation committee composed of Carter Center staff according to the following criteria.

Proposal Evaluation	Criteria	Possible Score
Qualifications, Expertise, and Experience	Qualifications, expertise, and experience of proposed personnel reflect an understanding of the scope of work that inspires confidence in their ability to execute the activities outlined in this RFP.	25
Technical Approach	Technical approach demonstrates a strong understanding of the project. Proposed methodology and timeline are technically sound, clear, manageable, and calculated to achieve results/deliverables outlined in this RFP.	50
Cost Proposal	Proposal reflects a competitively priced, clear, and comprehensive budget that will fully deliver the outcomes outlined in this RFP.	25
Total		100