SO-JUST: Call for Proposals from Civil Society Organizations-Mediation

The SO-JUST Project is a seven-year social justice reform initiative funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the Government of Jamaica and civil society partners. The project aims to use an equitable human rights and gender responsive approach, targeting systemic change within the processes of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, its departments and agencies, the Courts, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other state and non-state partners to improve social justice in Jamaica.  The project aims to increase access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and strengthen the capacity of the justice system to implement gender-responsive social justice policies and programmes. It reflects and integrates the four pillars of social justice, which are equity, access, participation, and rights, and adopts a gender-responsive approach.  

The SO-JUST project calls for proposals from qualified Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to develop and implement programmes to support the expansion and enhancement of mediation in Jamaica:

(a) To develop and implement specialized mediation training programmes, building skills in areas such as gender-responsive mediation, mediation of family disputes or other targeted areas requiring specialized knowledge or skills;  
(b) To strengthen the professional development of mediators in Jamaica, particularly those operating at the Parish Court or community levels, through capacity development initiatives such as refresher training and upskilling programmes, standards of good practice, peer-based monitoring systems or other mechanisms. 
(c) To promote increased referral to mediation among members of the Judiciary, police force and legal profession; 
(d) To provide civil society policy recommendations for the development of Jamaica’s mediation sector, including through improved public-private partnerships.

This Call for Proposals falls under Output 1:  Alternative Justice Services, which seeks to improve the scope and delivery of alternative dispute resolution, including mediation services. 

CSOs, including those representing youth and groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, are crucial actors that drive progress on efforts to increase equitable access to justice at the community level, and strengthen justice service delivery through public-private partnerships. 

Please email procurement.jamaica@undp.org  outlining your expression of interest and for further information.

DEADLINE FOR PROPOSAL SUBMISSION:
June 5, 2026 @ 11:59 p.m. (Jamaica Time)