Background

Applicants who previously applied need not re-apply

The Justice System Programme (JSP) in Timor-Leste is a comprehensive capacity development initiative for the justice sector, implemented by UNDP under the guidance of Project Steering Committee comprising of the members of the national Council of Coordination (CoC) for the justice sector, which consists of the Minister of Justice, Chief Justice, Prosecutor-General and Public Defender.  The Programme provides support to the respective judicial institutions, including the Courts, Prosecution, and the Ministry of Justice and its subsidiary institutions (Legal Training Center and Public Defender’s Office). 

The JSP supports the judicial institutions to uphold the rights enshrined in the Constitution of RDTL and to consolidate the rule of law in Timor-Leste. The overall objective of the Programme is to enhance the effectiveness, equitability and efficiency of the justice system, thereby increasing access to justice in Timor-Leste.  It is a long-term Programme with the duration of 5 years, with financial and in-kind contributions coming from several donor governments/organizations. 

Aiming at the Courts, the Prosecution and the Ministry of Justice, the Programme undertakes to improve institutional capacities (systems, processes, skills,) through a sequence of support measures. The programme provides technical assistance through relevant international and national experts (international judges, prosecutors, public defenders, lecturers, IT personnel, etc.) performing line and mentoring functions and/or providing advisory support. They also provide formal and on-the-job training to national justice actors, under the supervision of the Timorese supervisory bodies. 

Description:

The Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) will be responsible for the overall implementation of the JSP, which would involve policy advice as well as responsibilities for programme management, coordination with national and international partners, resource mobilization and supervision of international and national personnel.

The CTA will also assist in organizing regular Project Steering Committees (comprised of the Council of Coordination members and UNDP senior management) during which key issues and priorities for the programme will be discussed. S/he is also responsible for ensuring regular donor reporting and briefings. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Under the guidance of the Project Steering Committee and UNDP Management, the CTA will be responsible for the following key functions:

• Programme management;
• Knowledge management;
• Best Practices and coordination with national justice institutions;
• Donor coordination and information;
• Policy advice.

• Day-to-day operational management of the programme including work planning, resource allocation and financial supervision, and general oversight and reporting on implementation of activities;
• Building of national capacity for Programme implementation, management, monitoring;
• Daily monitoring of implementation of programme activities, workload management and performance assessment.
• Preparations of Terms of References and involvement in design of all programme related events such as training (curricula, courses, schedules), study tours, conferences and workshops, and provision of advice to UNDP on the joint approval and sign-off of these documents;
• Drafting Terms of Reference for recruitment of international and national consultants and advisors, provision of advice and support to national institutions on the identification, selection and approval of such advisors and consultants;
• Supervise overall administration of the programme;
• Supervision, coordination and evaluation of the work of advisors where applicable and all Programme administrative support staff;
• Revision and monitoring of the overall management, performance and progress of the Programme by preparing indicators to monitor progress on the Programme document;
• Contribute to the development of a Monitoring and Evaluation framework for the programme that reflects progress on the sector in general;
• Reporting to management and donors on progress and achievement of results.

Active knowledge management focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Responsibility for selecting and bringing lessons learnt to help achieve the outputs of the Programme and facilitating the use of global knowledge networks in the field;
• Sharing of Programme results including through reviewing Programme publications, and by taking responsibility for knowledge networking with national agencies and UNDP’s global community;
• Representation of the Programme before UNDP, and provision of other advice as needed to UNDP concerning the evolution and role of the Courts, Prosecution and Ministry of Justice;
• Assistance in promoting dialogue and good practices on rule of law among different stakeholders in the justice sector and with interfacing sectors;
• Provide  and coordinate substantive inputs to the preparation of justice institutions’ and UNDP policy notes, statements for important events;
• Serve as an advocate for UN core values and UNDP’s policies on rule of law in the dialogue with the justice institutions and facilitate the practical implementation of this dialogue through the Programme interventions
• Strategic coordination with national justice institutions focusing on the achievement of the following results:
• Representation of the Programme before the national authorities;
• In cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, support preparation and hosting of Council of Coordination meetings, circulation of meeting minutes and ensure follow-up on the implementation of decisions taken;
• Provision of advice and support as may be required by the Courts, Prosecution and Ministry of Justice;
• Provision of technical assistance and legal analysis to the national counterparts, as required;
• Provide and coordinate technical advice to enhance the capacity of the justice institutions with regard to ensuring a credible, transparent, fair and accessible justice system.
• Provision of information and technical assistance to the heads of the justice institutions and with the Programme staff.

Donor resource mobilization, coordination and information focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Mobilize resources for the programme through preparation of project resource mobilization strategy, funding proposals, documenting and disseminating project results and ensuring high quality results based reporting of the Programme,
• Participate and actively contribute to all  justice coordination forums;
• Briefing of interested donors or foreign missions on the activities of the Programme;
• Support the justice institutions in convening regular coordination mechanisms in the framework of the Strategic Development Plan and the Justice Sector Strategic Plan.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the substantive, technical and operational aspects of the Justice System Programme in the following areas:

• Technical advisory services;
• Programme management services;
• Knowledge management;
• Strategic engagement and coordination;
• Donor coordination and resource mobilization services.
  

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Technical and substantive capacity:

• Specialist knowledge in the area of administration of justice and rule of law, preferably  in a civil law system and post-conflict setting;
• Knowledge of institutional capacity development, preferably within the judiciary In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices inside and outside of UNDP.

Management and Leadership:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in law (strongly preferable), political science, international studies, development studies, public administration or any other related field.

Experience: 

• Minimum of seven years of extensive working experience in judicial capacity building and reform projects, and/or working in a legal profession;
• Experience with the United Nations system and/or familiarity with UNDP programmes/projects in Rule of Law or Democratic Governance is an asset;
• Sound understanding and experience with the working procedures of justice sector institutions in civil law countries
• Experience in post-conflict countries will be an asset;
• Knowledge of the region is an asset.

Language: 

• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English;
• Fluency in Portuguese and/or Tetum is an asset;
• (Incumbent may receive Tetum language training upon assumption of his/her post).