UNDP Jobs - 59801- National Justice Specialist

National Justice Specialist - Access to Justice/Legal Aid

Location :

Mogadishu, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2016

Application Deadline :

18-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-10

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year

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

The Somali Compact lays out five Peacebuilding and State-Building Goals (PSGs) which focus on inclusive political processes, security, justice, economic foundations and revenue and services. These thematic goals provide guidance to UNDP’s Country Programme and as a result, UNDP Somalia projects are aligned to the Somali Compact’s five PSGs. The UNDP Rule of Law Project (Police and Justice) is part of the Somalia Joint Rule of Law Programme which is designed to support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) in achieving the Somali Compact Peace-building and State-building Goals 2 (Security) and 3 (Justice). Under PSG 3 (Justice) of the Somali Compact, the overarching strategic objective is to establish independent and accountable justice institutions capable of addressing justice needs for the people of Somalia by delivering justice for all. The Somali Compact addresses the need to establish, maintain and enhance justice institutions based on a sound legal framework compliant with human rights, ensuring access to justice for the people of Somalia and increasing people’s confidence in the justice system over a three year period.

The three key priorities identified under PSG 3 are as follows:

Priority 1: Key priority laws in the legal framework, including on the reorganization of the judiciary, are aligned with the Constitution and international standards;
Priority 2: Justice Institutions start to address the key grievances and injustices of Somalis;
Priority 3: More Somalis have access to fair and affordable justice.

The Somalia Joint Rule of Law programme represents a joint approach by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the UN Country Team to strengthen collaboration, focus and coherence in the implementation of the Somalia Rule of Law Programme Priorities. The Programme builds on the positive gains, experience, expertise and added value of relevant UN partners under the Global Focal Point Arrangement to advance rule of law and constitutes a key landmark to maximize impact of UN interventions, minimize overlapping activities and maximize UN MPTF resources and know-how of the UN to “deliver as one” to enhance justice and security for all Somalis. The Programme framework ensures that collective UN action to enhance rule of law retains capacity building, gender equality and human rights principles as cross-cutting issues of this approach as outlined in the Somali Compact.

Working closely with the implementing UN agencies of the Somalia Joint Rule of Law Programme, the UNDP Rule of Law Project (Justice) supports the Somali people in creating an enabling environment for stability, rule of law and good governance. This includes strengthening of legal institutions in order to increase competency, efficiency and accountability. The Project has focused on improving the functioning of the judiciary, fostering judicial reform and empowering Somali communities to secure their rights. In this regard, technical, advisory and operational support is provided to the Judiciary, Attorney General Office and Ministry of Justice to deliver on their mandates and provide fair and equitable justice services to the Somali people. The project works closely with the Judiciary to improve the quality of rulings and judgments and establish professional standards as well as oversight mechanisms. With the aim of bringing justice closer to the people especially those living in rural and remote areas, the project works with justice institutions and stakeholders to establish Mobile Courts and deliver justice to those communities. Additionally, with the aim of ensuring that all Somalis have increased access to affordable or free legal services, the project partners with justice stakeholders and civil society organizations to provide free legal aid and representation to vulnerable and economically deprived groups, including IDPs, survivors of Sexual Gender-based Violence as well as individuals on remand status and in pre-trial detention. Also, in partnership with local universities and justice institutions, the project provides scholarships to aspiring future legal professionals coming from poor and low income families, and internships to facilitate linkages for graduates to join justice institutions and provide badly needed capacity.

Under the direct supervision of Justice Technical Specialist and overall guidance of the Rule of Law Project Manager, the National Justice Specialist (Access to Justice/Legal Aid) will implement, manage & monitor activities in work-plans agreed with counterparts. The incumbent will support ongoing UNDP Rule of Law Project (Justice and Corrections) initiatives in South Central Somalia, and carry out activities aimed at developing and strengthening the justice system in Somalia. The incumbent will be working closely with Rule of Law Project Staff, staff of sister UN agencies, staff of the UN Mission and staff in the different units and departments of UNDP country office to deliver UNDP’s part in the Somalia Joint Rule of Law Programme Work-plan. He/she will also support national planning processes, national capacity building and project formulation. The Incumbent will be expected to work with UNDP Partners to ensure issues relating to gender, juveniles, IDPs and vulnerable groups are mainstreamed into all programmes and support.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Provision of technical support to the planning and implementation of project activities related to PSG 3 priorities 1 and 2;
Management and implementation of the Access to Justice / Legal Aid Component of the RoL project;
Provision of quality policy and technical advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Provision of technical support to the planning and implementation of project activities related to PSG 3 priorities 1 and 2 by focusing on the achievement of the following:

Guide the Ministry of Justice, Judicial Services Commission, Supreme Court and Attorney General’s Office in long-term sustainable reform of their respective offices including through technical advice, advocacy and support to their respective offices;
Provide technical advice and facilitation to initiatives UNDP is undertaking with respect to mobile courts, access to justice, and provision of legal aid services;
Provide technical advice as well as local expertise to the project in the planning and execution of project activities;
Implement project activities focused on access to justice, mobile courts, and legal aid in the regions outside Mogadishu including supporting the justice institutions of federal member states.

Management and implementation of the Access to Justice and Legal Aid Component of the RoL Project by focusing on the achievement of the following:

Manage the delivery of inputs and outputs in line with the project’s approved annual work plan in the context of activities, ensuring proper monitoring and evaluation of the project;
Advise relevant state authorities in the formulation of policies regarding legal aid and mobile court;
Facilitating day-to-day management of the Access to Justice and Legal Aid project activities, covering all phases of the project and adhering to the Project Document and annual work plans;
Ensure that mobile court and legal aid activities are expanded to new areas including IJA and ISWA and undertake regular missions to these areas;
Ensure that the Access to Justice and Legal Aid project resources are used in a balanced way that confirms the application of the Human Rights based approach and contributes to peace building;
Facilitate Access to Justice/ Legal Aid meetings and missions;
Work with government officials, NGOs and UNDP area-offices and serve as a liaison between them and the Project Management;
Engage with relevant and selected non state actors, including NGOs, for the implementation of legal aid, legal awareness and mobile court initiatives.

Provision of quality policy and technical advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management, through the achievement of the following results:

Establishment and support of legal aid centers and legal institutes in prioritize regions of Somalia;
Establish support to faculties of law and scholarship programmes for law professionals and develop strategies in partnership with justice stakeholders, to increase employment opportunities and intake of beneficiaries into justice institutions;
Coordinate with UNSOM and other UN agencies involved in the implementation of the Joint RoL Programme for the implementation of training programmes aiming at improving legal aid and access to justice services for legal professionals including lawyers, paralegals, judiciary staff, staff of the Ministry of Justice, Custodial Corps and the Police;
Providing technical advice to strengthen the judiciary and increase access to justice, including developing indicators for measuring improvements in access to justice;
Oversee the development of strategies to implement the legal aid policies in place and those being developed in Somalia, and develop strategies to create public awareness on the legal aid policies;
Develop strategies for the integration of equity into the traditional justice mechanisms to improve access to justice for users of these mechanisms, by aligning them to international human rights standards and developing mechanisms for monitoring and enforcement;
Support establishment of the Office of the Human Rights Defender;
Support establishment of the Bar Associations and Women Lawyers Associations and develop strategies to align their oversight and regulation role and internal operations to standards of the International Bar Associations;
Promote identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the project for organizational sharing and learning.

Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing by focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organize training for Project Staff and partners on Access to Justice/Legal Aid issues;
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in Access to Justice/Legal Aid.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
Self-development, initiative-taking;
Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others;
Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.

Functional Comepetencies:

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork:

Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time.

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda:

Performs analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses.

Results-Orientation and Development Effectiveness:

Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals.

Management and Leadership:

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.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:

Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation;
Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development.

Building Strategic Partnerships:

Identifies needs and interventions for capacity building of counterparts, clients and potential partners.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally;
Is motivated and demonstrates a capacity to pursue personal development and learn.

Client Orientation:

Anticipates client needs;
Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider;
Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective;
Solicits feedback on service provision and quality.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in law or related field with 2 years of relevant experience;
A first level university degree with 4 years relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

2 years of experience with Master’s Degree or 4 years’ experience with a first level university degree in law or any related field;
Proven knowledge of the Somalia Justice System, work experience with Ministry of Justice, Judiciary, Attorney General Office, or Non-Governmental Organizations focused on the provision of legal aid services;
Experience working in Mobile Courts, legal aid and legal awareness;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is a requirement;
Experience with informal justice and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is an asset;
Work experience within the UN or international organizations is an asset;
Experience with informal justice and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English and Somali;
Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.