Historique

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 has been launched (2013-2017) 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. The Government has also initiated the Gram Nyayalaya scheme which supports the States to set up courts at the grassroot 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) is focusing on two major components: Legal Empowerment (LEP) and embedded technical support for the National Mission on Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms (JDLR).

The consultancy with the Access to Justice (A2J) Project is a unique opportunity for experienced consultants to put his/her legal knowledge, skills and experience for benefiting the marginalized sections of the society. These Terms of Reference relate to the tasks of the senior consultant, whose roles and responsibilities are described below.

National Mission for Justice Delivery and Legal Reforms available at: https://doj.gov.in

Devoirs et responsabilités

The consultant will work very closely with the Project Team stationed at Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice. S/he will carry out following tasks:

• Assist the Project Team in planning, documenting and implementing initiatives under the A2J Project;
• Ensure preparation of progress reports, review quality and consistency of internal reports;
• Organize and participate in the meetings and discussions related to designing and implementing the Project;
• Prepare and finalize TORs required for procuring services from other agencies;
• Facilitate in maintaining a database of relevant material produced by Project supported organizations and government departments;
• Represent the project in internal and external meetings;
• Ensure that knowledge products prepared under the project are reviewed, disseminated and used by the relevant institutions and stakeholders;
• Any other task specifically assigned by the National Project Director, Additional Project Director, Project Coordinator and Programme Officer, UNDP.

Compétences

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills;
• Good understanding of MS Office and web based applications;
• Ability of working in a team;
• Willingness to travel in the field.
• Familiarity with issues/challenges faced by women and other marginalized groups;

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Educational:

• Post graduate degree in international development, Social Sciences or law;
• Preference will be given to candidates with a degree in law.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience of working in the field on issues relating to Access to justice, legal empowerment, rights of marginalized people, court systems and/or justice sector reforms;
• Experience of working with national/State governments and UN would be an added advantage.

Language:

• Proficiency in English including excellent writing skills;
• Knowledge of Hindi would be an asset.

Submission of proposal:

Financial Proposal:

• Consultant shall specify his/her per day consultancy rate;
• Any prior approved travel expenses will be paid as per actuals  in line with UNDP rules.

CV

• Consultant should submit his/her updated CV with three references.

Payment Schedule:

• Payment will be done monthly for the actual days worked on submission of progress report.

Evaluation Criteria:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive;
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight - 70%;
Financial Criteria weight - 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

• Knowledge on Access to Justice, legal aid, legal empowerment, justice sector reform- 20%;
• Knowledge/experience of research, report writing,  editing- 10%;
• Past experience in similar projects- 40%.

Note:

• It is a full time consultancy assignment so it is not allowed to take up another consultancy during this assignment;
• Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone etc. would not be reimbursed;
• Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual;
• Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered;
• CV and Financial proposal can be clubbed in one file for uploading;
• The consultants must bring his/her own computing equipment.

Please write to sandeep.sharma@undp.org for any clarfication.