Senior Legal Expert

THE position

Under the supervision of the Country Manager and in close collaboration with other team members, and with Program Coordinator in Headquarters,  the Senior Legal Expert will contribute to the implementation of the project with a view to provide technical assistance during the establishment of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Court (SACC) within the overall vision of strengthened integrity of Armenia's Criminal Justice System and a specific goal of establishing and applying integrity-based institutional management standards for specialized anti-corruption bodies by the end of CY 2020.

The Senior Legal Expert will supervise the work of Legal specialists and coordinate the Project Team’s overall activities; reporting to the IDLO Country Manager on the project progress; representing IDLO at formal and working meetings as well as in the relationships with the Stakeholders; by assisting the Council of International Experts (CIE) and Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) in carrying out a transparent judge selection process; facilitating a transparent recruitment process, in accordance with the Law; leading the work on legal analysis, research, and drafting memoranda on different legal issues, in response to requests from the SJC, CIE, or the Country Manager.

Summary of functions:

The Senior Legal Expert will implement the following principle components of the project:

• Coordinate project activities conducted by the Project Team; keep IDLO Country Manager informed on the SACC project implementation process;
• Serve as a key focal point for external relations and communication with the CIE;
• Identify, discuss and agree clear performance objectives with direct reports and monitor these in line with IDLOs performance management cycle. Identify and proactively resolve any areas of underperformance;
• Perform line management duties of the team; 
• Review and evaluate the functions, operational goals and objectives of the Project Team;
• Conduct in-depth interviews with Stakeholders and other relevant institutions;
• Design and recommend modifications aimed at increasing the efficiency of the Project activities;
• Assist the CIE and the Project Team in analyzing and complying with the relevant rules and regulations, including the ones governing the protection of personal data;
• Assist the CIE in understanding the general legal context relevant to the selection process;
• Lead the work on drafting legal instruments as requested by the SJC, CIE and/or the Project Team;
• Lead the work on developing legal analysis, research, and draft memoranda on relevant legal issues, in response to requests from the CIE or stakeholders. 
• Provide comments and feedback to the stakeholders on the relevant national legislation; 
• Coordinate the HR Analysts’ work on developing deliverables;
• Coordinate the integrity checks based on the integrity-based evaluation criteria;
• Assist the SJC in writing decisions on admittance of candidates to the competition;
• Respond to requests for clarification on relevant legislation, Armenia’s anti-corruption policy and ongoing Judiciary reform. 
• Cultivate relationships with CSOs as well as professional organizations and individual experts relevant for the project implementation process;
• Attend and report on meetings and conferences arranged by Armenia’s state authorities, international organizations, and NGOs on topics relevant to the project;

Specific tasks will include:

• Advise the IDLO Country Manager on specific project modifications;
• Track potential systemic issues and develop applicable solutions;
• Prepare high-quality analytical and project progress reports;
• Provide comprehensive analysis of relevant legislation, as well as monitor potential legislative amendments, based on research and the incumbent’s legal knowledge.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education 

• Graduate degree in Law is required.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of broad, progressively responsible professional experience in rule of law, anti-corruption, criminal justice reform, with a focus on team and project management.
• Proven ability to coordinate and supervise the work of a team in a high-paced, quality-driven environment.
• Demonstrated experience in working with government bodies or international organizations engaged in justice sector reform in Armenia is required.

Languages

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively in Armenian. Strong proficiency in English is an advantage.

Technical and behavioral competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively in Armenian. Strong proficiency in English is an advantage.
• Solid understanding and knowledge of the political system, government bodies and international organizations, and the justice and rule of law sector in Armenia.
• Interest in and capacity to interpret political and policy developments and to relate them to IDLO’s mandate and activities.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication and team coordination skills; ability to work constructively with several internal and external stakeholders. Confident in any surrounding and at working at all levels when dealing with different stakeholders.
• Excellent legal writing, strong technical drafting and editing skills with attention to detail including when under pressure.
• Ability to work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to quality and detail in a busy and complex environment.
• Ability to provide training and guidance to colleagues, advising them on procedures and to be followed in relation to the relevant national legislation and best practices in anti-corruption.
• Sound organizational and planning skills; Good team player, positive attitude, flexible, and comfortable in working in multi-cultural settings.
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to IDLO's mandate.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS  

For this full-time assignment IDLO shall offer the selected candidate an Affiliate Contract of 18 months and a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, with possibility of extension subject to performance and availability of funding.

This local position is open to candidates who are nationals of the duty station, or with permanent resident status or other legal authorization permitting to work in the duty station. An employee subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to International employees.

Please ensure that ONLY CV and Cover letter are attached and kindly note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

In the interest of making most effective use of resources, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.

DISCLAIMER

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the employee assigned to this work. This may not be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.