UNDP Jobs - 12080- Consultant: Assistant Legal Drafter

Consultant: Assistant Legal Drafter - Trainers of Legal Drafter Training Programme

Location :

Dili, Timor Leste, Timor Leste

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Sep-2009

Application Deadline :

10-Sep-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Duration of Initial Contract :

Three months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Three months

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

Timor-Leste became independent in 2002. A democratic semi-presidential governance system based upon separation of powers and mutual cooperation of the institutions of state was developed.

The National Parliament is the cornerstone of the democratic system and good governance. It is currently comprised of 65 members. It is headed by the President of the National Parliament. Nine political parties have constituted in their benches. Detailed parliamentary scrutiny of legislation and government actions is delegated to 9 standing committees of multi-party composition. The parliamentarians are supported in their work by a Secretariat of approximately 65 staff which is headed by a Director (70% staff in administrative and technical functions). The Secretariat is divided into three directorate and several functional departments, which assume responsibility for work in the general areas of Finance and Administration, Plenary support, Committee support, and Communications/Library functions. This organizational structure is under the newly approved Parliamentary Service and Administration Law and to respond to the present challenges.

The National Parliament was established from scratch in a setting of largely inexperienced parliamentarians; an acute shortage of skilled personnel and significant language barriers. Systems and processes are in the early stages in some cases and non-existent in others. Achievements are not yet consolidated and many challenges can only be overcome with long-term assistance. UNDP has supported the growth of the legislature since 2003. The revised Parliament Project 2006-08 extended to 2009, comprises comprehensive capacity-development interventions in five strategic areas: oversight capacity; legislative support; democratic representation; gender mainstreaming and; Secretariat capacity building. The overall objective of the project is to develop the institutional capacities that allow the parliament to fully and effectively perform its constitutional mandate. Under the framework of the UNDP National Parliament Project 2006-2009 and an additional Letter of Agreement between UNDP Timor-Leste and the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, the Parliament is pursuing the objectives of improving its institutional and human resources capacity with the objective of strengthening its efficiency, independence and effectiveness.

Legislative Support is a core component of the UNDP Parliament Project. The establishment of a Bureau for Technical Support Services (BTSS) inclusive of capacity building/training of National Legal Drafters/Analysts within the National Parliament was envisaged in the recommendations of the project mid-term evaluation mission conducted in January 2008 and is projected to be commenced in 2009. The Parliament has recently created the Directorate of Research and Technical Information, through the newly approved Parliamentary Administration Law (December 2008). A legal training programme for National Legal Drafters/Analysts has been agreed upon between the UNDP National Parliament Project and the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, including the recruitment of international trainers for the accomplishment of the task.

The implementation of the Legal Drafter Training Programme requires a pool of International Legal Drafter Trainers to perform primary responsibilities of the implementation of the programme. It also requires a coordinator to perform direct supervision to the training staff, both the Assistant Trainers and the Trainees and provide update to UNDP and the National Parliament.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Legal Drafter Training Programme and overall supervision from the Chief Technical Advisers (CTA) of UNDP Parliament Project, perform functions as described below:

Assist the Training Coordinator to Lay down schedule, including identify research activities, for the implementation of the Legal Drafter Training programme according to the established Curriculum for the Training;
To prepare lesson plans and teaching-learning materials required by the training curriculum syllabuses applying appropriate pedagogical and teaching methodologies;
To perform teaching functions and guidance to the trainees in practicing legal research skills during the training programme;
To assist the Coordinator of the Training Programme to edit the draft bills prepared by the trainees during the training programme;
To assist the Coordinator of the Training programme to supervise the trainees’ work, review their performance, and evaluate their achievements;
To assist the Coordinator of the Training Programme to prepare and submit regular activity reports to the CTA of UNDP Parliament Project;
To participate in the regular UNDP Parliament Project Staff meetings when required;
To assist the Coordinator of the Training Programme to provide regular update on the progress of the training programme to the Secretary General of the National Parliament and the CTA of UNDP Parliament Project;

Expected Outputs:

Definitive Schedule of the assigned Subject/Area of teaching of the Legal Drafter Training Programme;
Progress report of teaching of the assigned Subject/Area of teaching of the Legal Drafter Training Programme;
Lesson Plans and Teaching-Learning Materials of the of the assigned Subject/Area of teaching of the Legal Drafter Training programme.

Competencies

Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills;
Strong negotiating and managerial skills to be able to work both independently and as a coordinator of a team;
Excellent interpersonal, intercultural and networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships;
Cross-cultural management experience and sensitivity;
Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Advance degree in law from accredited university ;
Minimum of 10 years of teaching experience in law from accredited university;
Demonstrated experience in successful implementation of legal training programme;
Experience in legal training for government/parliament is preferable;
Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia. Mastery of Tetum or Portuguese, and English is desirable. Exceptional English writing skills is an asset;
Competent computer skills using (Excel, Word, Access, Outlook and other relevant softwares);
Knowledge on the functioning of parliaments and institution building an asset.