Background

In 2003 the Minister of Justice, the President of the Superior Council of the Judiciary and the Prosecutor-General of Timor-Leste agreed to form a Council of Coordination for the Justice System (CoC) to oversee a comprehensive UNDP-supported US$3.12m, 3-5 year development plan for the key justice system institutions in the formative years of the new country (The Justice System Project). In 2005 the project was revised and expanded in budget, scope and duration ($10 million for 2006/2008)
 
Aiming at the courts, the prosecution service and the justice ministry (which oversees the Public Defenders Office, the Prisons Service and the Legal Training Centre), the project undertakes to improve institutional capacities (systems, processes, skills, ethics) through a sequence of support measures (advice, training, infrastructure, equipment). The project is implemented by a Chief Technical Adviser provided by UNDP.
 
A key project component is aimed at promoting service delivery of the courts, improve the administration of justice country wide and prepare the national probationary judge, prosecutors and public defenders and clerks to be able to deliver justice according to the fundamental principles and rights of the Constitution of RDTL..
 
The incumbent will work as an acting judge and a judge advisor in the Court of Appeal and give on job or formal training to the national judges as requested under the substantive direct supervision of the Chief Justice and under the overall supervision of the Justice System Programme, reporting to the Chief Technical Adviser.
 
The incumbent must be able to serve in either capacity, as trainer/mentor and practitioner. In any case, the incumbent will be expected to transfer skills and professionalism and assist in the introduction and consolidation of routines, systems and processes for the efficient delivery of justices.
 
The incumbent will report to the UNDP Resident Representative or his designated official through the Chief Technical Adviser of the Justice System Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Overall Duty:
  • Contribute to the successful implementation of the Justice System Programme under the overall direction of the Council of Coordination (CoC) or its designated institutional representative through the Chief Technical Adviser;
  •  The Incumbent will be required mainly to act as a Court of Appeal Judge, provide on job or formal training in the Court or other relevant assigned legal institution aiming to provide effective, efficient, and productive results while administering standards and procedures as set by the Judiciary.
Description of Main Advisory duties:
 
Under the Direct Supervision of the Chief Justice and the overall guidance of the CoC the incumbent performs the following functions:
  • Acts as Judge of the Court of Appeal, the highest instance of courts in Timor-Leste, in cases to be heard and decided on civil, criminal, minors, family and/or any other legal specialization;
  • Provide legal opinions and assist the daily work of the Courts;
  • Provide on job training and mentoring to the East Timorese judges and court clerks working at the District Courts or Court of Appeal and provide technical assistance as required for the best performance of their tasks;
  • Provide specialized advised to the Superior Council of the Judiciary and/or its members;
  • If and when requested assist in the implementation of training programmes organized by the Legal Training Centre;
  •  Perform other related duties as required for the effective functioning of the judicial system.
List all legal and managerial system and processes to be developed by the Advisor.
  •  Decisions and sentences under the law applicable in Timor-Leste
  • Court of Appeal proceedings;
  • Court administration and case management according to the procedural laws applicable in Timor-Leste;
  • Organization and delivery of legal or judicial training

Competencies

  • Sound working knowledge and experience as a judge in civil legal system procedures
  • Knowledge of criminal, civil, minors, family, constitutional and electoral and others of general legal nature
  • Knowledge of court jurisdiction, administration and management
  • Experience in formal or practice judicial training
  • Self-sufficient, honest, detached and independent
  • Impartial and objective
  • Professional dignity and ethic
  • Low profile behavior in public and private life, act with dignity and prestige fit for a judge;
  • Courteous and respectful towards others. 

Required Skills and Experience

  • Advanced University degree in law from a civil legal system with specialization in Judiciary Studies
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience as a judge from a civil legal system, preferably with experience in civil, criminal, minors, family, constitutional and other legal nature subjects
  • Strong experience in training for magistrates and court staff
  • Ability assist with organizational and judicial management if required
  • Ability to impart knowledge and skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues from all backgrounds
  • Working experience in a developing country
  • Experience in Court of Appeal instance
  • Enthusiasm for personal commitment to increase skills and knowledge of national staff trough any method of technical advice, mentoring or on job training.
  • Transfer of experience in coordination of seminars or workshops, development of summaries or legal publications;
  • High level of probity and confidentiality.
  • Overtime maybe required.
  • Knowledge of legal system in Timor-Leste
  • Fluency in Portuguese is required.
  • Working knowledge of English and Tetum is highly desirable.