Programme Assistant, Multiple positions

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peace building, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Background Information – Philippines

UNOPS Philippines was established in early 2016 to support, develop and oversee UNOPS' growing portfolio of programmes and projects in the Philippines. The office currently provides implementation services to a range of projects where we work very closely with development partners, the Government and the Supreme Court focusing on the Governance/Justice, health and infrastructure sector.

The office is based in Manila, Philippines with project sides in the Tacloban and Iloilo area.  

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners and is looking for qualified and committed experts.

Background Information – Job Specific

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines with the support of the European Union is implementing the Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice (GOJUST). GOJUST is funded by the European Union to the value of EUR 16,000,000 and with the support of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (EUR 2,000,000). The overall objective of GOJUST is: To contribute to inclusive growth and poverty reduction through a strengthened justice system and its specific objective is: To increase the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of the formal justice system. The programme is being implemented from April 2016 to September 2019.

GOJUST seeks to achieve four major result areas, as follows:

• Result 1: Sector-wide coordination of the justice system strengthened and long-term reform strategy developed;
• Result 2: Backlog curtailed in courts and prosecution services and case management system streamlined and computerised (with focus on 'justice zones');
• Result 3: Justice sector agencies’ administrative and financial management systems improved;
• Result 4: National/Regional Human Rights Institutions and CSO’s capacity to promote accountability and fight impunity for major human rights violations strengthened.

The support provided under this program will have a far reaching effect on the entire justice system, and will impact on three main agencies of government, namely the Judiciary, led by the Supreme Court at the apex, the Department of Justice, which includes the prosecution service, the correctional system, the public attorneys, the National Bureau of Investigation,  and the Department of Interior and Local Government, which includes the police, the local detention facilities and the barangay justice system. 

The first annual work plan of the programme has been approved by the Programme Steering Committee last 24 October 2016, and part of that work plan involves the hiring of additional contractual staff to assist in the reform programme. These particular terms of reference refer to the hiring of two Administrative Assistant whose main functions would be to support Result Area 2.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent shall perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Facilitate arranging regular meetings of stakeholders as requested by the Chair to monitor and analyze the overall programme status;
• Prepare minutes and follow up on decisions made in meetings
• Support the development of Rules of Business of the JZ including clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the member representatives;
• Assist the programme in the development of annual work plans that include expected activities needed for the improvement of the administration of justice at the local level;
• Collect, analyze and consolidate relevant data to facilitate monitoring of progress and the identification of common problems which cause delay;
• Support in the development of recommendations for policy and procedural reforms and submit recommendations to the team leader
• Assist and support training need assessments for criminal justice sector stakeholders and make recommendations to build capacity through the implementation of tailored capacity development initiatives;
• Provide input to set targets and a monitoring plan;
• Function as a liaison between the GOJUST Team to among other things ensure the completion of the documentary requirements for obtaining funding from GOJUST, and facilitate the work of GOJUST in meeting the required support objectives, within approved budgets; and
• Perform such other tasks and responsibilities as required.

• Completion of secondary school diploma is required.
• A unit in law or graduate studies in public administration, business administration, political science, development studies and public policy is preferred.
• University degree in relevant discipline is highly desirable and may substitute for some of the required years of experience.
• University degree in public administration, business administration, law, political science, development studies, public policy and legal management is an asset.

Skills:

• Coordination
• Communication (legal)
• Facilitating techniques
• Analytical skills
• Justice
• Project Management Support
• Drafting of Memoranda of Agreements
• Conflict Resolution
• Management of Administrative Services
• Event and Conference Management
• Partnership building

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the law and justice field is required for those who completed secondary school diploma. The candidate with bachelor degree, a minimum of 1 year of relevant experience is required.
• Experience working with Philippines Supreme Court is an advantage.
• Experience as attorney and general law practitioner is an asset.
• Experience in Law and Human Rights are desirable.
• In-depth understanding of court procedures and rules as well as the reasons for delays in cases is highly desirable.

• Practical knowledge of national justice sector agencies and local level justice partnerships is highly desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills are desirable.
• Excellent research skills both for qualitative and quantitative research purposes are desirable.
• Willingness to undertake regular travel to build partnerships with local actors, monitor activities and report back to established structures with concise analysis and advice. 

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: LICA-5
Contract duration: 6 months. Renewable subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

This is a local position therefore it is open to Philippine nationality only.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.  Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.