Historique

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 commenced 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[1] 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) will have two major component: legal empowerment (LEP) and embedded technical support for the National Mission on Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms (JDLR). The Project Officer (JDLR) will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and will report to Director, National Mission/ National Project Director and Programme Officer, UNDP.
 
These Terms of Reference relate to the tasks of Project Officer, JDLR, whose roles and responsibilities are described below.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The Project Officer, JDLR will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, JDLR and will report to Director, National Mission/ National Project Director and Programme Officer, UNDP.
 
Project Officer JDLR will assist the Project Manager, JDLR in discharging work relating to 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 Officer, 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 assist the Project Manager in ensuring that the Project component on JDLR

  • Delivers on its objectives with feasible work plans; and
  • Effectively supportsthe National Mission in achieving its goals.
The Project Officer, JDLR under the direct supervision of the Project Manager and will report to the Director, National Mission/National Project Director and Programme Officer, UNDP. S/he has the responsibility for the following tasks:
  • Assist the Project Manager 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;
  • Assist the Project Manager in developing 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;
  • Prepareprogress reports and ensure quality and consistency of internal reports;
  • Assist the Project Manager in collecting and analyzing data, and in preparing quarterly and annual reports to be submitted to GoI and UNDP;
  • Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of justice delivery and legal reforms.
  • Assist the Project Manager in developing 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;
  • Assist the Project Manager in developing 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 Project Manager and Programme Officer, UNDP.

Compétences

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: 

Knowledge Management and Learning:
  • Shares knowledge and experience
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;
  • Has exposure to community level issues relating to access to justice;

  • 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;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to work independently and under pressure.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education: 

  • Essential to have a Bachelor’s Degree in law;
  • A Master’s degree in law, social work, development studies, public policy and similar disciplines will be an advantage.
Experience:
  • Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in the field of law, legal research, policy making is required at the national or international level;
  • Good understanding of issues pertaining to access to justice and justice sector reforms;
  • Demonstrable experience in research, reporting and documentation;
  • 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). Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
  • Previous work experience with government agencies is desirable.

Language:

  • Proficiency in spoken and written English. A good command over Hindi.

Others:

  • Willingness to travel.

Remuneration package is Rs.98,248/- per month (taxable).