Historique

The formal justice system in Bangladesh is under tremendous pressure with much workload and inadequate number of officials and staff to dispose the cases. Sometimes corrupt practices by people concerned create much problem in dealing with cases in various courts. As a result, the case backlogs add up to the existing pending cases and at present it stands on about half a million cases. It creates a negative impact for the rural poor and vulnerable group of people who cannot afford the expenses of cases and do not have clear understanding of how to get access to justice in the upper courts on some issues that could be easily resolved at the local level. Dispute resolution at the local levels may reduce the backlogs of cases in the formal justice sectors. The latest legal framework for Village Courts is the Village Court Act 2006 is an initiative for resolving some disputes quickly and easily within the jurisdiction of Union Parishad. It is expected that activating village courts would provide access to affordable justice to the vast majority of the population of Bangladesh at the local level.

The Ministry of Local Government Division (LGD), UNDP and the European Commission jointly have undertaken a programme titled ‘Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh’. The aim of this project is providing support to the justice system through activating village courts in 500 selected Union Parishads (UP) of the country. It also intends to develop capacity of the village court members, elected representatives and support staff. Motivation programme will be carried out in order to sensitize all concerned, on the role and functions of village courts and their benefits on the overall justice system. At the same time, it will address the justice service delivery to disadvantaged groups. The project comprises six components: (a) Legal framework and legal aid; (b) Capacity development; (c) Advocacy and Communication; and (d) Monitoring and Evaluation, (e) Programme Coordination and (f) Operations. Programme Support Officer will work under the overall guidance of the National Project Director/Project Manager and close coordination with the UNDP Democracy and Governance cluster.

Devoirs et responsabilités

The Programme Support Officer will report to the Project Manager. S/he will be responsible for providing support to administrative and programmatic support for planning, implementing and managing administrative and programme related activities.  S/he will have the following duties and responsibilities;

  • Liaison with the LGD officials and UNDP;
  • Coordinating with and supporting the Project Manager  to facilitate the effective implementation of the VillageCourts project to achieve the objectives in a timely manner; 
  • Providing strategic suggestions on decisions related to programme implementation, ensuring they are made in a participatory and collective manner;
  • Ensure regular support, follow-up and monitoring of the planning, development and implementation of project activities with  special consideration for gender issues;
  • Assist with the preparation of project reports, evaluations and other project documentation, including yearly and quarterly work-plans, budgets, annual project reports, other supportive reports for donor support and relevant other eports if necessary; 
  • Regular liaison with Ministry of LGD in relation to providing substantial support to the organizing of training and workshops;
  • Managing routine communication with the projects and expedite communication between the projects and the programme;
  • Provide contextual background for policy advisory papers and briefing notes including research and analysis of data;
  • Make all efforts as coordinator to provide leadership for the organization and the management of the activities in close cooperation with all the stakeholders
  • Conducting periodical monitoring and assessments reports 
  • Liaising with the Finance & Administrative Assistant and UNDP RRMC regarding budget revisions, UNDP monthly expenditures and other requirements;
  • Assist with routine systematic monitoring and evaluation activities (e.g., monthly project meetings) in close consultation with Project Manager;
  • Assist in strengthening the management skills of the project team, including their abilities to develop effective financial, administrative and managerial procedures for project implementation 
  • Providing overall support to the management of the LGD programme as required.
  • Maintain records and documentation.
  • Prepare routine correspondence and general reference documents, organize data and information, and maintain project records, files and discernments.
  • Coordinating the VISA and other logistic preparation
  • Assisting in arranging workshop and seminars
  • Assisting Project Manager/Project Director in managing daily administrative, programmatic and finance related works and project;
  • Any other relevant tasks that may emerge as important in the course of this assignment and which deems to be appropriate for the Project Manager/Project Director.  

 

Compétences

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Management and Leadership

  • Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback, timely responses to queries;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Demonstrates strong administrative skills and results oriented approach to work

Development and Operational Effectiveness

  • Ability to engage with high ranking UNDP Managers, Government Officials and international donor community and provide policy advisory support services;
  • Ability to identify opportunities, conceptualize and develop project reports;
  • Ability to analyses situations and act accordingly;
  • Ability to effectively support in strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;Ability to formulate and manage training programmes and design relevant training materials;
    • Ability to implement new systems and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change

Knowledge Management and Learning

  • Promotes knowledge management and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example: Excellent knowledge of capacity building theory and the application of methodology: good understanding of capacity assessment methodologies;
  • Excellent ability to identify significant capacity building opportunities, ability to get capacity built, excellent ability to demonstrate national capacities built (mastery of the tools and their application);
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills;
  • Display understanding of the relevant contemporary ICT tools and continuously act towards personal capacity building;
  • Excellent communication skills (written and oral): Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners, Respectful and helpful relations with all UN/UNDP staff.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education

Bachelor Degree in Public Administration, Political Science, International Relations, Law or closely relevant discipline.

Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of relevant experience, or equivalent, in providing programme support to international organizations and national governments or legislatures;
  • Evaluation and monitoring of project progress;
  • Experience in programme design and implementation working with UN/UNDP or international donor supported programmes would be an advantage;
  • Experience with project management would be considered an asset;
  • Experience with computers and office software packages.

Language requirements: Fluency in written and spoken English and Bangla