UNDP Jobs - 13574- Consultant: Court Administration Mentor/Expert (Re

Consultant: Court Administration Mentor/Expert (Re-Advertised)

Location :

Amman, Jordan with frequent travel to Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra, Iraq

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

20-Dec-2009

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

12 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

Following the previous regime and the invasion and occupation of Iraq, there is an urgent need to improve the functioning of the Iraqi courts and to increase public confidence in the Iraqi justice system. In furtherance of this goal, UNDP-Iraq, with its Government and international partners, has designed a pilot court initiative. This initiative will establish pilot courts in Baghdad, Basra, and Erbil. Each of the three courts will have a different jurisdiction (civil, both primary and appellate, and criminal). The objective of the pilot courts will be to establish new systems and ways of functioning that make the courts more user-friendly, more transparent and accountable, and more accessible, especially for vulnerable members of Iraqi society. The long-term goal is to have systems and practices successfully developed in the pilot courts implemented throughout the Iraqi court system.

The implementation of the pilot court initiative is a complex one, involving many Government of Iraq actors, and multiple specialized implementing partner (IP) organizations.

Within the delegated authority the consultant will work closely with the relevant Government counterparts, in particular the Higher Judicial Council and Ministry of Justice, within the framework of the UNDP Rule of Law Programme for Iraq. The consultant will be responsible, within delegated authority and within the framework of the UNDP programme, for both providing specific technical inputs and for playing a central role in coordinating and ensuring the overall implementation of the administrative aspects of the pilot court initiative.

Objectives

Provide high-level technical expertise on court administration in a challenging post-conflict context.
Review and provide input on all products produced by implementing partners (IPs) in regard to administratibe components of the pilot court initiative.
Coordinate and facilitate coordination between, IPs responsible for operational/administration aspects of the pilot court design and implementation.
Monitor and provide quality assurance of the work of IPs responsible for all administrative aspects of the pilot courts initiative. Ensure timely and high quality delivery of all pilot court administrative components by contracted IPs.
Ensure regular communication with and accountability to the Government of Iraq by all IPs responsible for administrative components of the pilot courts initiative.
Provide individual and group mentoring to the three pilot court Heads of Administration (HoAs).

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work and expected output

In close consultation with Government of Iraq counterparts and the UNDP Rule of Law team, the consultant will perform the following tasks:

Mentor pilot court heads of administration and provide technical advisory services:

Guide the HOAs in developing linkages with each other and working together jointly to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and practices that can be implemented consistently in all three pilot court.
Help the HOAs identify areas of needed reform and strengthening in the administration of the pilot courts, building on the needs assessment of the pilot courts produced by UNDP-Iraq implementing partner TSAMOTA, with the objective of making the pilot courts models of transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness.
Help the HOAs prioritize and plan for a process to strengthen the administrative capacity of the pilot courts.
Help the HOAs implement their plan for strengthening the administrative capacity of the pilot courts by making them aware of best practices, providing them with examples from other jurisdictions, and providing technical expertise.
Work with each HOA individually to mentor her/him and increase her/his management and leadership skills.

Coordinate all IPs supporting administrative aspects of the pilot court initiative:

Develop a detailed mapping and timeline of all components of the implementation of the pilot courts initiative, detailing the sequencing of different activities (e.g. establishment of a case management system vis-a-vis provision of IT equipment and training) and a mechanism for tracking progress of each component. The mapping should also identify any gaps in administrative aspects of the pilot court implementation and provide rodmaps for filling these gaps.
Provide skilled technical oversight of UNDP-Iraq IPs responsible for supporting implementation of the pilot courts initiative in the following areas: a) legal training; b) IT; c) operations systems development and capacity building; d) hotline and helpdesk design and implementation; and e) legal research and libraries.
Promote coordination and collaboration between these partners through strategies including but not limited to regular information-sharing and coordination meetings of all partners.
Promote collaboration between operations IPs and technical experts on substantive aspects of the pilot courts initiative, including experts within UNDP-Iraq, Government of Iraq, UNIFEM, UNAMI-HRO, UNFPA, the RC’s Office, and UNICEF.
Ensure that there is close coordination in specific areas including, but not limited to, the following:

Between the IT IP and the operations IP on the design and implementation of a case management system;
Between the IT IP, the operations IP, and technical experts on violence against women in the design and implementation of a database on violence against women.
Between the legal training IP and the IT IP and the legal research IP to ensure seamless and non-duplicative activities in the area of providing access to electronic materials and training staff to use these materials; and
Between the legal training IP, the IT IP, the operations IP, and the legal research and libraries IP to ensure that training activities undertaken by each are fully coordinated.

Monitor, trouble-shoot, and quality assure the work of UNDP-Iraq’s implementing partners supporting the pilot courts initiative

Monitor the compliance of the IPs with their terms of reference and contractual obligations.
Review all planning documents produced by IPs and provide technical input to the IPs on improving these plans.
Report to UNDP-Iraq regarding the quality and timeliness of delivery by IPs.
Intervene, in coordination with the UNDP-Iraq rule of law team and the substantive pilot court expert, in any situations where delivery of activities risks being delayed to identify and assist in resolving the causes of delay.

The Consultant is expected to produce the following tangible outputs, which will be assessed on the basis of their quality and timely completion:

A written capacity/needs assessment of the HoAs with individual and collective plans for how the consultant will strengthen the capacity of the HoAs through mentoring and training;
A plan by the HOAs, supported by the consultant, for reform of the administration of the pilot courts;
A mapping and timeline of all administrative activities crucial to the implementation of the pilot courts, with identification of gaps and plans for filling any gaps.
Regular monthly coordination meetings between all pilot court IPs;
Written review of all IP planning documents, as specified by the IP TORs;
Monthly reports to UNDP on all administrative aspects of the implementation of the pilot courts initiative including updates on the work of all implementing partners.
Liaison with various administrative contact persons/institutions, etc. and other administrative tasks as necessary;
Drafting materials (brochures, letters, posters etc) as necessary;
Drafting statements, speeches, inputs for the website, press materials (articles, press releases, media advisory, etc.), and other communication tasks, as necessary.

Competencies

Strong analytical and writing skills and ability to provide guidance and coordination to the government counterparts and other involved stakeholders.
Ability to conceptualize analytical frameworks based on available information and resources;
Ability to identify and address the information gaps in a systematic manner.
Demonstrated ability and willingness to work as a member of a team, with people of different cultural, ethnic and religious background, different gender, and diverse political views.
Strong communication and organizational skills as well as team work capabilities
Proficiency in English language

Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism.

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning.
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office building the capacity manage rather manage oneself.
In-depth knowledge on Communication and Access to information.
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to build the capacity to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
Ability to build the capacity to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Communication and access to information.
Ability to build the capacity to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioural/ attitudinal change.

Management and Leadership:

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skill.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, preferably court administration, is required
At least 15 years of professional experience in the field of court administration and administrative management, including extensive experience in mentoring and capacity building.
Experience in implementing court reform activities in developing and crisis contexts.
Familiarity with the Iraqi legal context and civil law systems preferred.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
Experience working in Iraq a great asset