Background
Bhutan has established a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to advance the rule of law and access to justice. Since the 1950s, the development of the legal and judicial sector has progressed at a remarkable pace which was further accelerated with the professionalization of the judiciary from the 1990s and the creation of Office of Legal Affairs in 1999 which was later replaced as the Office of Attorney General (OAG) in 2006. The 2008 Constitution guarantees separation of powers and judicial independence, a democratically elected parliament, a well-qualified and effective judiciary and Attorney-General’s office and a system of mediation at local level.
Significant investments to advance the justice sector and strengthen the rule of law in Bhutan are underway, with a Justice sector strategic plan (developed in 2018) providing a strategic framework for action and prioritized thematic action areas defined under its five strategic goals. These goals include:
- Justice Sector Leadership, Governance, and Collaboration are Effective;
- Justice Service Providers are Competent and Motivated;
- Justice Services are Responsive, Efficient, and Accountable;
- Justice Sector Services are Accessible and Inclusive; and
- Infrastructure is Adequate to Deliver Justice Services More Efficiently.
Well-functioning governance systems and institutions are at the heart of Bhutan’s 12th Five Year Plan (FYP) 2018-2023 vision of a “just, harmonious and sustainable society through enhanced decentralization”, and are critical for building resilience that will allow the country to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises such as COVID-19 while addressing existing and emerging vulnerabilities.
In order to respond to the rapidly evolving governance developments and findings from the impact analysis of the COVID-19 crisis on vulnerable populations, governance institutions and social contract, building on the multi-year framework, UNDP Bhutan has identified a set of strategic interventions from the IGF that will be funded by UNDP’s Governance, Peacebuilding, Crisis and Resilience (GPCR) funding window.
The strategic outcome envisaged, in line with the CPD Outcome 1 (UNSDPF Outcome 3), is that by 2023, Government institutions provide equal opportunities for all, and women and vulnerable groups hold leaders accountable.
Contributing to the above outcome are four outputs:
- Central and local governments engage with citizens for an equitable, effective and transparent service delivery
- Increased access, inclusion, transparency and accountability in the justice sector
- Parliament drives progress towards fundamental rights protection, sustainable development and GNH
- Innovation and partnerships are leveraged for efficient, transparent and accountable governance.
Output 2 is an integral part of the MYF and supports the implementation of the JSSP to strengthen access to justice, including through leveraging digital solutions to better respond and recover from the COVID pandemic.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of Governance Portfolio Manager, the Intern will mainly provide assistance and support to the ongoing work in delivering tasks such as, but not limited to, programmatic, operational, and administrative work.
The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Assist in technical advisory services
- Support in making briefs for technical advice/guidance on implementation of the existing Justice sector programme;
- Undertake research for quality enhancement, drawing regional and global experiences to enhance the quality of process and results particularly focusing on the successful e-litigation and the Legal Needs Survey;
- Support the preparation of project progress reports and related presentations, briefings, knowledge products and relevant documents as required;
- Assist in identifying areas of engagements and investments for future programming, including resource mobilization;
2. Assist in Stakeholder management, partnership coordination, and external relations
- Support in building relationships with academia, private sector, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders;
- Conduct analysis and research of information on partners and donors for the preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of cooperation opportunities;
- Provide coordination support to the governance team in programs related to Justice and Parliament.
3. Knowledge management and innovation
- Contribute to knowledge building and sharing related to the current and emerging trends in the fields of Access to Justice, and Rule of Law;
- Prepare briefing notes of new developments and innovative approaches/solutions in the areas of Justice Service delivery, access to justice, and rule of law and actively contribute to the office learning process and corporate knowledge tools
- Support in drafting knowledge and advocacy products e.g. background documents, briefs, speeches, presentations and other communication materials related to multi-year framework programme;
- Support the production of communication materials to highlight the achievements and activities of the team;
- Provide coordination support to the governance Team to ensure efficient internal communications;
- Provide logistical support to governance team and other units events;
- Support in conducting researches and collecting data as requested;
- Provide other adhoc support as required.
Competencies
- Curiosity, Creative thinking, and ability to make new and useful ideas;
- Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
- Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
- Strong organizational skills, the ability to multi-task, and strong attention to details;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Ability to support a team and team building skills;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view; and
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude showing willingness to learn.
Required Skills and Experience
- Candidates must at the time of application be enrolled in the final academic year of a Bachelor of Laws programme.
- Applicants must have knowledge in relevant field such as: Legal Writing & Research, Oral Advocacy & Logic, Economics, Philosophy, Human Dignity, and Political Science.
Language:
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Good level of knowledge in Dzongkha