Trial Monitoring Specialist (Rule of Law Officer)

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BACKGROUND

Strengthening accountability and tackling corruption are essential for Iraq's long-term stability, economic recovery, and development. Iraqi and regional Kurdish governments have recently initiated steps to drive an ambitious anticorruption agenda. However, significant gaps remain in legislative and strategic framework, investigation and adjudication, enforcement and recovery of stolen assets. In March 2021, Iraq adopted the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, but implementation measures are needed.

In May 2021, UNDP in Iraq launched the project “support to justice initiatives curbing corruption and promoting commercial dispute resolution” (hereinafter, Anti-Corruption & Arbitration Initiatives, ACAI) funded by the European Union for a period of four years. The project outcomes are: (1) Improved Legislative and Strategic Framework for Anti-Corruption Reforms; (2) The justice sector, lawyers and CoI are better equipped to process corruption offences due to (2.1) improved technical skills relevant for corruption investigation, prosecution, adjudication and (2.2) improved integrity rules of the justice sector; (3) Improved capacity and legal framework to conduct commercial litigation through (3.1) better legal framework and capacity building for arbitration and (3.2) further development of the commercial court; (4) Create a climate of support in Parliament for anti-corruption reforms; (5) Increased transparency and public accountability.

The Trial Monitoring component of the project will be implemented by UNAMI Human Rights Office according to a Memorandum of Understanding that has been signed between UNAMI and UNDP Iraq. The Trial Monitoring Specialist (Rule of Law Officer) is recruited by UNDP under Outcome 2. He/she will be collocated with UNAMI HRO to which she/he will report on a daily basis.

Position Purpose:

The Trial Monitoring Specialist (Rule of Law Officer) will design and conduct a trial monitoring programme. This includes collecting and synthesizing data on judicial proceedings, supervising of national trial monitoring officers, data collection and reporting, ensuring buy-in from the judiciary and coordination with UNDP/UNAMI.

He/she will conduct legal analysis, monitor the application of the legal framework as well as of international standards and norms in judicial practice and prepare recommendations and reports.

The Trial Monitoring Specialist (Rule of Law Officer) shall report directly to the Chief UNAMI Human Rights Office or a designated human rights officer, at UNAMI HRO. Further, the Specialist will report on a quarterly basis to the Project Manager, Anti-Corruption & Arbitration Initiatives (ACAI). The Specialist will closely work with UNDP ACAI team and UNAMI HRO team. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensure effective information gathering, storage, synthesis of trial monitoring observations:

• Under the overall supervision of the Head of UNAMI Human Rights and in close collaboration with the UNDP Anti-Corruption Project manager, implement a trial monitoring methodology.
• Ensure collection and verification of information on investigative hearings, procedure and substantive issues with major anti-corruption cases.
• Ensuring the application of international best practice and lessons learned from various country context as well as internationally accepted trial monitoring principles.
• Develop and maintain a database on trial monitoring observations and ensure that it is updated and accurate.
• Collect media information, information gathered in meetings and in particular civil society partners and synthesize it effectively with trial monitoring observations.
• Conduct legal research and verify that collected information is legally accurate.

Report periodically on synthesized trial monitoring observations and develop legal and policy recommendations:

• Coordinate and conduct analysis of data, case evidence and research findings to distill relevant lessons from projects and programmes to inform policy formulation and guidance.
• Conduct relevant analysis and guidance and provide technical policy advice and programme support documents that responds to country office needs.
• Support country office in integrating policy advice in country programme frameworks and projects as it relates to inclusive growth, inequalities, and the achievement of sustainable development.
• Provide Quality Assurance to ensure alignment with development policies, norms and standards and foster policy innovation in Inclusive Growth and Resilience to enhance programming.
• Ensure cross-practice approach with other programme pillars.
• Ensure that UNDP IGLS programme is gender sensitive.
• Create methods for reviewing policy services in the area of Inclusive Growth and assess policy success, as well as communicate these methods to other country offices and regions.
• Conceptualize and recommend policy innovations to improve programme delivery.
• Contribute to the development and review of Position papers, knowledge products through analyzing and sharing lessons learnt, best practices and programme evaluation results.

Represent the trial monitoring component of the project in meetings with national interlocutors and ensure effective communication with national, regional and international project partners as required:

• Under the overall supervision of the Head of UNAMI Human Rights and within the delegated authority represent the trial monitoring component of the project in meetings and communications with national and international interlocutors.
• Provide briefings and updates as required.
• Organize and host workshops under this project component.
• Organize a regular dialogue on trial monitoring with national and regional partners on trial monitoring observations in line with international best practice.
• Ensure appropriate feedback to national and regional interlocutors in keeping with confidentiality protocols.
• Lead the organization of public events and workshops on the project.

Manage the trial monitoring team:

• Supervise the national trial monitoring officers, ensure they comply to internationally acceptable standard of conduct including non-intervention, impartiality, professionalism and confidentiality.
• Organize team meetings on relevant information exchange, including with the trial monitor based in Erbil.
• Ensure effective communication and collaboration with the trial monitoring team.
• Ensure quality control and maintain an effective output of the team.
• Comply with applicable management requirements and support UNAMI/UNDP management as required.

Ensure implementation of best practice and lessons learned in the conduct of trial monitoring and reporting:

• Ensure learning, capture knowledge and lessons learned for UNDP, UNAMI HRO and Iraqi institutions with an aim to inform capacity building component of the project;
• Identify gaps in legal knowledge, research and analysis including areas that require external expertise.
• Support the communication units of UNDP & UNAMI Human rights and other relevant UN entities with drafting material for publication on trial monitoring;
• Support the UNDP management team on donor and internal UNDP reporting

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• This position will supervise the positions in the Trial Monitoring Component of the Project, including three national Trial Monitors.
• This position will be responsible for timely conduct of Performance Reviews, and supporting learning, career and professional growth of the Unit members.

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

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy – Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations

Business Management – Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Business Management – Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

2030 Agenda: Peace – Peace Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Development of Institutions in Justice Sector

2030 Agenda: Peace – Peace Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Human Rights Institutions/compliance

2030 Agenda: Peace – Governance: SDG 16

2030 Agenda: Peace – Governance: Transparency and Anti-Corruption.

RECRUITMENT QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Master’s Degree or equivalent in law.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of law, research, development or in the judiciary is required, of which, a minimum of 2 years of experience in the UN or a comparable international organization in the field of rule of law and governance is required.
• Demonstrated experience in providing advice to senior judicial officials and government officials is required
•  Work experience in conflict/ post-conflict context will be an asset;
• Track record in training on legal issues, investigation and judicial procedures and processes will be an asset;
• Experience in extensive and complex research, analysis and reporting on anti-corruption and governance issues will be an asset.

Language Requirements

• Proficiency in oral and written English & Arabic.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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