Background and Organizational Context

Jamaica’s international human rights commitments are reflected nationally in a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is embedded within the Constitution and other laws and policies, to protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups from discrimination and gender-based violence. The country’s legislative framework is thus supportive of the rule of law and a fair and equitable justice system. These rule of law priorities are captured in Vision 2030 and reflect the country’s policy and planning alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Despite Jamaica’s strong constitutional and legislative foundation, the effectiveness of the justice system has been stymied by institutional, resource, and cultural challenges. The current strategic plans of the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary highlight several institutional, technological, and policy initiatives to be implemented in the short, medium, and long term to systemically address these challenges towards ensuring improved efficacy and efficiency of the justice system. Importantly, these initiatives build on previous successes while anticipating the future needs of the justice sector. Notwithstanding, there remain significant socio-economic challenges that affect people’s experience of justice services. These socio-cultural issues include, but are not limited to, real and perceived barriers emerging from inadequacies in the accessibility of justice services to vulnerable groups such as rural populations and persons living with disabilities, and limited capacity to protect and fulfill the rights of children in contact and in conflict with the law. At present, the Ministry of Justice’s policies, strategies, and data gathering capacity are inadequate, resulting in challenges in tailoring justice services to fully meet the needs of the most vulnerable, ensure equitable social justice outcomes, or mainstream gender equity considerations.
 

In addition to these issues, one of the causal factors for the high demand for justice services and the current high case backlog is the country’s high crime rate. Jamaica has one of the highest crime rates in the Latin American region and in the world. Improved efficiency in the delivery of justice is therefore hinged on a reduced demand for justice services and expansion of the scope of services provided. The Ministry of Justice has promulgated a suite of alternative justice services (AJS) such as mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods, restorative justice, child diversion, and other services, in response to the identified needs. These are designed, in part, to reduce the inflow of criminal and civil disputes into courts. However, a lack of knowledge and understanding among members of the public has limited their effectiveness and uptake. These challenges collectively undermine social justice and can have a deleterious effect on public perceptions of and interactions with the justice sector, despite the realities of ongoing reforms.

The Social Justice (SO-JUST) Project is a 7-year project which aims to use an equitable human rights and gender responsive approach, targeting systemic change within the processes of the Ministry of Justice, its departments and agencies, the Courts, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other state and non-state partners to improve social justice in Jamaica. The project aims to support the Government of Jamaica in increasing access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and strengthening the capacity of the justice system to implement gender-responsive social justice policies and programmes. It reflects and integrates the four pillars of social justice, which are equity, access, participation, and rights, and adopts a gender-responsive approach. It will provide the justice system with enhanced training and human resource development capacity and records and case management strategies required to sustain reforms. To achieve the defined programme goals, targets and effective delivery and quality services, a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established comprising Project Manager, Project Procurement Associate, Finance & Administrative Associate and Monitoring & Evaluation Associate.

Under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist and direct supervision of the Project Manager – Social Justice Project, the Monitoring & Evaluation Associate will support programmatic monitoring, evaluation, and reporting with a focus on the SO-JUST Project.
 

She/he will work in close collaboration with the Project Management Unit (PMU), UNDP’s programme and operations team, other UN agencies, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors, and civil society, ensuring UNDP’s successful achievement of the outputs of the project. The Monitoring and Evaluation Associate will promote a collaborative, client-oriented approach, ensuring integration across functional areas within the PMU and supporting the integration of capacity building and institutional strengthening activities.

Position Purpose

Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Monitoring & Evaluation Associate will be responsible for the following key functions:

*Effective management of the monitoring and evaluation processes, focusing on achieving results

*Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing, focusing on achieving results

*Strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy

Key Duties and Accountabilities

Requirements: 

Education:

• Secondary Education is required. University Degree in Economics, Statistics, Sociology, Demography, or relevant field would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience, Knowledge and skills

Required Experience

• A minimum of 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of progressively relevant experience in the design and implementation of Results Monitoring and Evaluation Systems required.
• At least 4 years of experience preparing monitoring reports for complex projects is required.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Proficiency in English (both written and oral).

Desired Experience

• At least 3 years’ experience working with ministries, national or local institutions is an asset.
• At least 3 years’ experience using Statistical software (SPSS, MATLAB, SAS, etc.), or similar data analysis packages to analyze data is an advantage.
• At least 3 years’ experience in building the capacity of national entities in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting will be an asset.
• Minimum 3 years of progressive experience in primary and secondary research, and data analysis is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in working with justice sector stakeholders will be an asset.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies 

Disclaimer

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.