Judicial Consultant (Asset Recovery) – Zanzibar

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High-level consultancy for a senior Judge or Legal Expert. Review asset recovery guidelines and support the new Economic Crime Court in Zanzibar. Apply by Feb 15.

Job Title: Judicial Consultant

Organization: Basel Institute on Governance Center: International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) Location: Zanzibar, Tanzania Contract Type: Consultancy (Short-term technical assistance) Total Duration: Up to 63 days (Phased approach) Application Deadline: 15 February 2026

Assignment Overview

The Basel Institute on Governance is seeking a senior Judicial Consultant to support the Zanzibar Judiciary under our Anti-Corruption Support (ACS) programme.

Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the ACS programme works to strengthen the capacity of Tanzania’s authorities to investigate and prosecute corruption. This specific assignment focuses on the Zanzibar Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Authority (ZAECA), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Judiciary.

We require a seasoned jurist to review the implementation of the Zanzibar Asset Recovery Guidelines (launched in May 2024) and to lay the groundwork for a specialized Economic Crime Court.

Scope of Work

This consultancy is designed in two distinct phases.

Phase 1: Review and Strategic Design (18 Days)

  • Timeline: April – June 2026.
  • Objective: You will lead a comprehensive review of the current Zanzibar Asset Recovery Guidelines. Since their launch, we need to understand how these tools are being applied in practice.
  • Key Tasks:
    • Identify best practices and procedural bottlenecks in the current application of asset recovery laws.
    • Assess the scope for increasing the use of existing legal tools (seizure, forfeiture, and management of illicit assets).
    • Collaborate with the Office of the Chief Justice, the Rules Committee, and the Ministry of Justice to gather evidence.
    • Design a technical assistance program to support the Judiciary in establishing a new Economic Crime Court.

Phase 2: Implementation Support (45 Days)

  • Timeline: To be determined (Subject to performance and agreement by the Judiciary).
  • Objective: Deploy the support program designed in Phase 1.
  • Key Tasks:
    • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to the bench on exercising judicial discretion in financial crime cases.
    • Assist in the structural preparation for the Economic Crime Court.
    • Develop training materials to ensure the sustainability of these judicial reforms.

Key Relationships

You will work in close collaboration with high-level Zanzibari counterparts, including:

  • The Office of the Chief Justice of Zanzibar.
  • The Chief Court Administrator and Chief Registrar.
  • The Judiciary’s Training Body and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
  • Reporting Line: You will report directly to the Basel Institute’s Senior Specialist, Asset Recovery (based in Zanzibar).

Candidate Profile

This is a senior expert role requiring significant experience on the bench.

Essential Qualifications

  • Judicial Experience: Minimum of 8–10 years of experience as a presiding Judge in a common law African or Commonwealth jurisdiction.
  • Subject Matter Expertise: A strong track record of adjudicating serious financial crime cases, with deep technical knowledge of proceeds of crime, asset recovery, and confiscation orders.
  • Mentorship: Proven ability to develop and mentor members of the judiciary.
  • Communication: Excellent fluency in written and spoken English.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Recent experience as a serving Judge in an East African jurisdiction.
  • Previous prosecutorial experience within East Africa.
  • Familiarity with diverse institutional models for asset recovery.
  • Fluency in Kiswahili is a distinct advantage.

Application Instructions

Closing Date: 15 February 2026 (18:00 CET)

Interested experts should submit their application via email. Your application package must include:

  1. Curriculum Vitae: Limited to 5 pages, highlighting relevant judicial experience.
  2. Cover Letter: Detailing your suitability for the role, your availability during the April-June 2026 window, and your proposed daily fee rate.

Submission Email: proposal@baselgovernance.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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