MyJustice is an access to justice programme implemented by the British Council and funded by the European Union. MyJustice strongly believes that in order to ensure the next generations of legal professionals in Myanmar are able to compete effectively in the global marketplace and play an active role in strengthening the rule of law in the future, university law department must be supported effectively. This is in line with government’s priorities. Higher education institutions (HEIs), including those that deliver degrees in law, are being expected to transform from institutions that have been significantly under-resourced and undermined through the period of authoritarian rule in Myanmar to delivering equitable access to a world-class higher education system under Myanmar’s National Education Strategic Plan (NESP), 2016-2021. The Government’s Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (MSDP) has prioritised promoting justice and the rule of law. However, achieving this will require educating a new generation of legal professionals with the skills, knowledge and courage to protect the rule of law. Notably, over decades, law departments have been under-resourced, resulting in law graduates with insufficient skills and knowledge. An ADB-supported assessment of HEIs in Myanmar found that most university students are not ‘employment-ready’ on graduation. Research by the International Commission of Jurists has identified similar findings relevant to graduates of law studies.
An inadequately qualified legal profession undermines all other efforts to promote justice and the rule of law. With some targeted exceptions, legal education is also an area where there has been limited focus in supporting reform to date. In light of this, MyJustice seeks to support the Government of Myanmar in determining the most appropriate approaches to improving the quality and relevance of legal education delivered by universities in Myanmar, based on a detailed understanding of the current context.
Objectives of the assignment: The specific objective of the assignment is to conduct a preliminary assessment to advise British Council/MyJustice on the feasibility and design of any future in-depth studies seeking to provide deeper understanding of the current context of legal education through universities in Myanmar.
MyJustice is therefore inviting applications for a proposal from interested Myanmar national consultants to conduct a preliminary assessment.
Interested applicants should review the ToR/RFP here.
Proposals and CVs along with a budget/costs must be submitted electronically to myjustice@mm.britishcouncil.org no later than 1700 hrs (Myanmar time) on Monday, 15 July 2019. MyJustice will accept applications received at any time up to that date.