UNDP Jobs - 58095- Project Manager, Justice Delivery and Legal Reform

Project Manager, Justice Delivery and Legal Reform - (Open to Indian Nationals only)

Location :

New Delhi, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

22-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year (Extendable)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Having made some progress towards reducing poverty and exclusion during the 11th Plan period, the 12th Plan aims to accelerate faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth.The Approach Paper to the Twelfth Five Year Plan points out that the “greater desire to access information about the rights and entitlements made available by law and policy, and eagerness to demand accountability from the public delivery systems augurs well for the future.”

UNDP has engaged in a partnership with the Department of Justice, Government of India, which began with a preparatory phase, Strengthened Access to Justice in India (SAJI) to carry out a justice sector diagnosis, identify entry points and support innovative small pilots to identify good initiatives for replication. Based on lessons and results of the first phase and an extensive design mission, a four year project (2008-2012) was developed. The project ‘Access to Justice for Marginalized People’ was implemented in the UNDAF focus states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh as well as at national level with key institutions. A new phase of the Access to Justice Project commences in 2013 for a period of 5 years.

The Department of Justice is taking many other steps to ensure improved access to justice for the people. An access to justice project has recently been rolled out in the 8 States of North-East India and in J & K. In addition, the Department has introduced a slew of measures towards this end. The GoI is computerising the courts and making them ICT enabled. This will allow the courts to move away from manual functioning to e-functioning and provide e-services to the people. It is also investing on judicial infrastructure. A Mission mode drive has been launched to reduce pendency in 2012. In 2011, there was a net reduction of 6 lakh cases through a similar drive. The Government has also initiated the Gram Nyayalaya scheme which supports the States to set up courts at the grassroots level with a view to take justice to the doorsteps of the people.

A key forward-looking initiative of the Department of Justice is the setting up of the National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms with the twin objectives of a) Increasing access by reducing delays and arrears in the system, and b) Enhancing accountability through structural changes and by setting performance standards and capacities. The Mission, which is chaired by the Hon’ble Union Minister of Law and Justice, has identified 5 strategic initiatives to achieve its goals:

Policy and Legislative Changes;
Re-engineering Procedures & Alternate Methods of Dispute Resolution;
Focus on Human Resource Development;
Leveraging ICT for better Justice Delivery; and
Improving Infrastructure.

The UNDP supported Access to Justice Project (2013-2017) has two components: legal empowerment (LEP) and embedded technical support for the National Mission on Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms (JDLR). The Project Manager will head the Project Management Team (JDLR component) and will work under the direct supervision of the Director, National Mission/ National Project Director and Programme Officer, UNDP.

Summary of Key Functions:

The Project Manager, JDLR will work under the supervision of the Director, National Mission/National Project Director and Programme Officer, UNDP. The Project Manager will be primarily responsible for the work of the Mission on:

Policy and Legislative Reform;
Re-engineering of court processes and procedures to check delay and pendency in disposal of cases;
Legal Education Reform and Training of prosecutors, lawyers and judges through the judicial academy and other institutions; and
Any other task assigned by the Director, National Mission/National Project Director and Programme Officer, UNDP

The Project Manager, JDLR will ensure that the Mission produces the results specified in the Mission document and other documents to the required standards of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. For this, s/he will need to ensure that the Project component on JDLR

Delivers on its objectives with feasible work plans; and;
Effectively supports the National Mission in achieving its goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager, JDLR under the supervision of the Mission Director, National Mission, has the responsibility for the following tasks:

Take lead in planning, coordinating and monitoring the activities of the National Mission on JDLR relating to policy and legislative reform; re-engineering of court processes and procedures; and legal education reform and training of prosecutors, lawyers and judges;
Provide technical support to the Mission directorate through research, collation of information and analysis of data;
Develop Annual Work plans in consultation with the Mission Director;
Participate in the periodic Project Work Plan Review meetings and discussions related to project implementation, monitoring and follow-up;
Ensure compliance of rules and procedures of Government in the programme implementation;
Prepare progress reports and ensure quality and consistency of internal reports;
Collect and analyze data and prepare quarterly and annual reports to be submitted to GoI and UNDP;
Supervise the work of other team members working for the National Mission on JDLR;
Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of justice delivery and legal reforms;
In consultation with the Mission Director, develop a comprehensive communications strategy targeting different stakeholders for (a) better profiling and visibility of the Mission (b) effective outreach and dissemination (c) better understanding of the Mission objectives among all stakeholders;
Develop a sound documentation strategy, and maintain a database of relevant material produced by different civil society groups, governments and UN agencies;
Any other responsibility assigned by the Mission Director and Programme Officer, UNDP.

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;
Integrity and Confidentiality.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience with the team and other stakeholders.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Possesses knowledge and understanding of law and human rights as well as of justice sector reform including those relating to policy and legislative changes, alternative methods of dispute resolution etc;
Possesses ability to research, conceptualize issues and analyze data;
Proven ability to coordinate the work of others and to work as part of a team;
Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
Has exposure to community level issues relating to access to justice;
Ability to work independently and under pressure;
Possesses ability to implement new systems, and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.

Leadership and Self-Management

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 openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Essential to have Master’s Degree in law. Any additional qualification in human rights, social work, development studies, management will be an advantage.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in the field of law, legal research, policy making is required at the national or international level. Experience in project management is also required;
Experience in project management, handling partnerships including funding is also required;
Good understanding of issues pertaining to access to justice and justice sector reforms;
Good understanding of development issues i.e. human rights, gender, and participation etc.;
Experience in applying a Rights Based-Approach to Development Programming;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point etc). Advanced knowledge of spreadsheet, database and research packages will be an asset;
Previous work experience with government agencies is desirable.

Language:

Proficiency in spoken and written English;
A good command over Hindi is an asset.

Travel:

Willing to travel.

Note:

Remuneration package is Rs.136,331/- per month (taxable). UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance to its employees.