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Justice Sector Specialist

Colombo

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Colombo
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Legal - International Law
    • Peace and Development
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background
 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories. 
 
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. 
 
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is currently implementing the Support to Justice Reform (JURE) project, supported by the European Union and facilitated by the Ministry of Justice. The Programme contains a holistic package of support to the Justice sector in Sri Lanka spanning Civil (including commercial and Alternate Dispute Resolution), Criminal,  justice sectors. The Project developed in close collaboration with sector stakeholders, adopts a three-pronged approach; 1) Strengthening ‘Access’ to Justice (including through legal aid, language mainstreaming, greater awareness of rights and responsibilities) 2) Strengthening transparency and credibility within the sector (including through strengthened data, enhanced professionalism, and oversight through independent commissions)) and 3) Improving quality and efficiency within the sector (including through age-appropriate Justice for Children, improved skills, legislative reform in line with international standards, modernization, a strengthened alternate dispute resolution mechanism and improved coordination within the sector).

The Justice Sector Specialist will be leading technical support, design and implementation;  including strategic planning and technical oversight; information-sharing, coherence and coordination with other relevant UN entities and development partners and national partners under the guidance of the UNDP Senior Technical Specialist, in close cooperation with the Project Manager. 

Duties and Responsibilities
 
Provide technical and policy advice and assistance in the overall implementation and further development of the JURE Programme in Sri Lanka. 
  • Provide rule of law and justice sector technical and policy advice in the JURE implementation and in further improvement and expansion of the Programme. 
  • Contribute to providing strategic support, guidance and advice in shaping the overall trajectory of JURE Programme. 
  • Contribute to managing day-to-day implementation of the Programme to strengthen institutional capacity and access to justice services including in supporting the government/justice sector interlocutors on justice sector reforms. 
  • Identify new, innovative and Sri Lanka context specific areas of engagement and lead close collaboration with the JURE and UNDP team in the development of concept notes and programme documents for future programming to advance UNDP Sri Lanka work in the areas of rule of law and justice spheres. 
  • Lead on regular analysis of the changing political and justice context landscape in Sri Lanka to inform the UNDP /JURE Programme’s overall business continuity focusing on improving agility in responding to actual and perceived risks and challenges and managing and mitigating them. 
  • Timely prepare reports, briefing notes, and related documentation for the strategic meetings including Steering Committee meetings, donors’ and justice sector coordination meetings. 
  • Undertake regular field visits to monitor implementation and provide feedback to the UNDP /JURE team by identifying areas for improvement and regular follow up with the team. 

Project implementation support in the overall delivery of JURE Programme 

  • Ensure timely implementation of JURE activities including prepare progress reports for donors, initiate the development of annual work plans and budget, update the log frame, and M&E plan in close coordination with rest of the UNDP/ JURE team. 
  • Supervise national programme staff and national and international short – term consultants. 
  • Contribute to the development of terms of references and procurement and HR processes to hire consultants, service providers. 
  • Closely coordinate with the UNDP /JURE operations, programme, M&E and Communication team. 
  • Back stop for the JURE Senior Technical Specialist and Project Manager, where needed. 

Partnership building and coordination with the JURE partners to ensure timely and efficient activities implementation.

  • Strengthen partnership with the government, justice sector stakeholders, civil society and communities.
  • Identify and develop new partnerships with government and non- governmental interlocutors in Sri Lanka that could add value and complement JURE priority work strands. 
  • Ensure coherence and identify and foster synergies with similar other UNDP, UN Agencies and donor funded projects in Sri Lanka. 
  • Contribute to improve coordination and collaboration with the government and non – governmental JURE partners. 
  • Contribute to donor coordination and timely information sharing, where needed.

Support UNDP/ JURE Programme at the strategic and technical levels 

  • Attend workshops/ conferences and events on the justice sector in Sri Lanka and contribute constructively achieve the goals of the programme in collaboration with national actors. 
  • Facilitate and serve as focal person in JURE progress, coordination and planning meetings with the JURE partners. 

Facilitate Knowledge management and sharing of lessons

  • Share and reach out for international experiences and lessons learned, and support the sharing of best practices, and case studies 
  • Undertake review and write reports, policy briefs, progress updates

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies
 
Core competencies: 
 
Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands. 
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.  
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management competencies: 

  • UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy

  • Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system.

Business management

  • Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
  • Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
  • Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks.
  • Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

2030 Agenda: Peace 

  • Governance: Inclusion and Participation.
Required Skills and Experience
 
Education:
  • Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Law is required OR 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Law in combination with an additional two years of qualifying  experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
  • Minimum five years (with Master´s degree) or seven years (with Bachelor´s degree) of professional experience  in Rule of Law and Justice Sector.
  • Being an Attorney-at-Law.
  • Strong knowledge and understanding of the justice sector in Sri Lanka is required. 
  • Track record of experience in providing policy and technical advice on rule of law and justice issues an asset.
  • Experience  in rule of law/ justice sector program development, implementation will be an advantage.
  • Experience working with a development organization is an added value.

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil and English languages is required.
Disclaimer
 
 
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 
 
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
 
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
 
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
 
Non-discrimination
 
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  
 
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 
 
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This vacancy is now closed.