Historique

Strengthening access to justice, rule of law and promoting human rights are cornerstones of UNDP’s work to achieve sustainable human development. The UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji is implementing projects as part of an overall programme in these areas including the Fiji Access to Justice Project. The Fiji Access to Justice Project supports access to justice for impoverished and vulnerable groups through empowering people to access legal rights and services through the relevant key justice institutions, in conjunction with strengthening those key justice institutions to undertake improved service delivery.

The objective of this consultancy is to work with the Judicial Department to carry out a needs assessment for a Training Academy, and develop the framework for the establishment of a Judicial Training Academy in Fiji.

This consultancy will contribute to the following outputs and activity results in the Fiji Access to Justice Project:

Output 2: Enhanced institutional capacity of Judicial Department and other institutions to deliver access to justice for impoverished and vulnerable groups.

Activity Result 2.2: The capacity of the Judicial Department is strengthened to enable improved service delivery and responsiveness to priority areas identified by the Access to Justice Assessment.

Activity 2.2.3: Support to the Judicial Department in accessing and hosting international and regional knowledge networks in relation to access to justice.

Activity 2.2.4: Support to the Judicial Department in the production and implementation of a training plan and train the trainer programme, and the evaluation of its subsequent impact; with the design of the training plan to be responsive to priority areas identified by the Access to Justice Assessment. 

Activity 2.2.5: Support to the Judicial Department in the production of a feasibility study on the creation of a judicial training institute.

The Judicial Department currently runs training programmes internally and works with international institutions in Fiji for trainings on an ad hoc basis. The Judicial Department is interested in formalizing the trainings programmes carried out under its Training Unit, strengthening the training programmes provided to the Judicial Department officials – judges, magistrates and court and support staff. A five-year roll out plan could be expanded to include other justice and legal officials within Fiji and throughout the Pacific Region.

The Judicial Department is seeking to conduct a mapping of training needs, and develop a framework for the establishment and growth of a strong Judicial Training Academy to service the needs of judicial and justice officials throughout Fiji and supporting knowledge exchange across the Pacific Region.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Scope of Work and Outputs

The Adviser will work in consultation with the Fiji Judicial Department leadership to determine their logistical and technical needs for the establishment and development of a Judicial Training Academy, including concrete guidance on institutional and curriculum development.

The Expert will undertake the following:

  • Travel to Fiji to meet the Fiji Judicial Department leadership, introduce roles, cover the expectations of the project, and finalize methodology;

  • Carry out a needs assessment through review of the existing facilities, capacity and training plans/curricula currently used by the Judicial Department, and other factors of relevance;

  • Conduct review of any additional relevant documentation and prepare a short comparative review of examples of judicial training institutes established in other comparable common law jurisdictions;

  • Conduct interviews with all relevant stakeholders (primary – Judicial Department leadership, Training Unit leadership, secondary - Attorney General, Solicitor General, Minister of Justice, Legal Aid Commission Acting Director, law professors, private lawyers) to establish a vision for the shape the Judicial Training Academy should take;

  • Triangulate points 2, 3 and 4 with final policy decisions made by the Judicial Department to develop:

    • A draft roadmap of the framework for the Fiji Judicial Training Academy, including the requirements for its establishment and the way in which it should grow (both/either) nationally and regionally;

    • A draft five-year training plan for the Judicial Department, other officials/professionals in the Fiji justice sector, other regional justice sector officials;

  • Work with the National Consultant to provide logistical options for the realization of the establishment of the Judicial Training Academy.

  • Convene a validation session to present the Judicial Department with draft training plan and draft roadmap for the Fiji Judicial Training Academy, including clear options where final decisions need to be made;

  • Finalise the five-year training plan and roadmap of the framework for the Fiji Judicial Training Academy;

    Institutional Arrangement

  • The Judicial Training Institutional Expert will work partially from home and travel to Fiji as necessary to coordinate with the Judicial Department leaderships, meet with officials in the justice sector, and survey the realities on the ground to test feasibility of institutional assumptions.

  • The consultant will be expected to provide their own computer and phone, and can be given office space at the UNDP offices when and as required.

    Reporting

  • The Judicial Training Institutional Expert will report to the UNDP Access to Justice Programme Manager and Technical Adviser, and work in close coordination with the Fiji Judicial Department leadership.

  • All reports and documents relating to the assignment will be submitted to the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji.

    Duty Station

  • The consultant will be based in Suva, Fiji for the duration of the assignment for a maximum period of 60 days

Compétences

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills;

  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;

  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;

  • Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;

  • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;

  • Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;

  • Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

  • Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;

  • Positive, constructive attitude to work;

  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Educational Qualifications:

  • Graduate qualification in Law or relevant subject;

     

Experience

  • A minimum of 15 years’ professional experience in working with/within a Judicial Training Academy, including operational institutional experience;

  • Has experience in establishing Judicial Training Academies/Institutes in similar contexts.