Legal Specialist, Judicial Sector Reform, Central Asia (Volunteer)

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative seeks a volunteer Legal Specialist to serve as primary technical expert for a program focused on bar association development and exchange of best practices between bar associations in the Central Asia region on advocacy to influence legislation and legal practice, ensuring individuals’ rights and due process in criminal proceedings, and cooperation with government counterparts. The Legal Specialist will engage in program management, implementation, and oversight; provide technical expertise and substantive input on activities; and serve as key liaison to build and maintain relationships with program implementation partners and stakeholders. The Legal Specialist would be based in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic for 10 months, with regular regional travel. This position is contingent on funding; initial volunteer posting is not salaried but living and travel expenses would be covered. Pending funding and performance, position could result in longer-term paid position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Responsible for day-to-day management of assigned program and ensures that all programmatic requirements are being met/exceeded according to the ABA, ROLI, and grantor requirements;

· Maintains accountability for all timely, accurate, and compliant in-country programmatic monitoring and evaluation;

· Oversees and is accountable for the development and deployment of substantive programming and activities, including, but not limited to, project work plans and reports, and convening, organizing, and participating in training opportunities within the host country;

· Establishes and enhances effective collaboration and relationships with local entities and other development partners to fulfill program objectives within cost constraints and garner additional funding from partners;

· Maintains proactive communications with the Kyrgyzstan-based Country Director to ensure timely and accurate updates on program activities, achievements, and shortcomings. Creates and implements corrective plans to improve performance against appropriate standards in areas where program shortcomings are identified;

· Assists in identifying best practices derived from lessons learned;

· Collaborates with relevant regional project staff and local authorities to ensure that all programs and operations are compliant with local laws and regulations and, if required, have received all regulatory licensing/registrations prior to offering the program;

· Supports compliance with all donor, ABA, federal, state, and local laws/regulations while managing the program(s). Ensures personal and program compliance with the FCPA;

· Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

· JD or foreign equivalent and 7-10 years of relevant experience;

· Experience implementing international donor-supported programs which must have included responsibilities for supervision of a team, financial management, and compliance;

· Fluency in English in order to meet the technical and managerial requirements of the program and donor requirements;

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Fluent Russian language skills strongly preferred; Kyrgyz or Uzbek language skills a plus;

· Previous experience working for an association, NGO, or other non-profit entity;

· Previous experience managing programs related to implementation of the right to counsel, including training legal professionals or related programming;

· Experience managing and implementing US Government-funded international direct assistance and response programs;

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

· Ability to operate independently and be a self-starter.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@americanbar.org