UNDP/PAPP Vacancies

UNDP/PAPP (Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People) is seeking suitable candidates for the position of Access to Justice Analyst to be based in Ramallah. Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager, the Access to Justice Analyst will contribute to the implementation of a multi-year Rule of Law & Access to Justice Programme: Supporting Rule of Law and Access to Justice for the Palestinian People (2009-2012).

Since 2004, UNDP/PAPP has worked on developing the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority’s justice system and has focused on institutional capacity development of the High Judicial Council and the Attorney-General’s Office. A UNDP/BCPR mission carried out in February 2009 recommended that UNDP/PAPP undertake an expanded programme for this sector to fill the gaps through significant and more substantive changes in the scope, structure and size of its interventions. The new programming framework will extend support for institutional capacity development to the Ministry of Justice and develop a comprehensive access to justice strategy engaging actors at all levels, including the Palestinian Bar Association, universities, civil society organizations and community-based initiatives.

Efforts will be directed towards strengthening the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Justice, extending the reach-out of legal aid services and legal awareness programmes throughout the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), setting up the foundation for work with civil society in Gaza, improving gender and juvenile justice conditions and exploring modalities for engagement with the informal justice systems and its linkages with the formal system. Assistance will also be provided to enhance public confidence in the justice system. In doing so, efforts to support networks of legal professionals and provide models for harmonization of the various existing legal systems in the oPt will be made.

The Access to Justice Analyst will be responsible for the implementation and delivery of the programme’s output 2 (Access to justice at local and grassroots level enhanced) in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in close discussion with the team in Gaza Strip. In his/her capacity, the post-holder will provide overall advisory support and technical guidance on legal aid and access to justice.

Under the supervision of the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager, and in close collaboration with other team members, the Access to Justice Analyst will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following duties:

• Support the establishment of legal aid financing modalities that will strengthen the sustainability of legal aid provision while enhancing access to legal aid services in close consultation with the Ministry of Justice, the Palestinian Bar Association and other relevant partners.
• Establish and manage strategic partnerships with specialized civil society organisations to strengthen and expand the provision of quality legal aid services and to strengthen human rights advocacy in conjunction with relevant actors.
• Facilitate the creation and management of a legal aid database in collaboration with relevant actors.
• Develop strategies and activities to strengthen the quality and reach of legal aid services, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged, in consultation with relevant actors, such as the Ministry of Justice, the Palestinian Bar Association, and civil society organisations (CSOs).
• In partnership with the EC, EUPOL COPPS, the Palestinian Bar Association and other interested donors and under the guidance of the Ministry of Justice, provide technical expertise to develop a legal aid policy framework, a multi-year strategy and an action plan.

• Support relevant partners including universities and CSOs to organize regular public awareness campaigns and outreach meetings on initiatives related to promoting the rule of law and access to justice and improving the legal literacy of citizens.
• Facilitate the organization of community-level meetings on legal rights and duties, particularly initiatives that target the population in rural areas, and marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
• Organize events and training sessions on various topics related to promoting access to justice.
• Ensure an inclusive process with the participation of youth and university students to create synergies in targeting different groups such as youth in rural areas.
 
• Develop a strategy to explore models for potential linkages between formal and informal justice systems based on existing studies.
• Involve CSOs and law students in the design and implementation of documentation systems for informal justice.
• Support the organization of public consultations based on the findings of the documentation.
• In cooperation with the Rule of Law Advisor based at the Ministry of Justice, support the Ministry of Justice in research on policy options regarding rapprochement of formal and informal justice systems.

• Provide monthly reports to the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager and liaise with Gaza-based programme staff on a regular basis.
• Perform other duties as and when required by the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards
• Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treat all people fairly without favouritism
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning
• Promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the UNDP office
• In-depth knowledge on development issues
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software and experience with web-based management systems

Management and Leadership
• Focus on impact and results for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Demonstrate team-building skills and conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
• Build strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills

• Communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organization
• Acts with tact and diplomacy
• Prove outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels.
• Build strong relationships with clients and external actors.
• Remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
• Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
• Demonstrate compelling communication skills and cross-cultural effectiveness.
• Demonstrate excellent political / conflict analysis, experience in bilateral and/or multilateral negotiations, and negotiating and training / facilitation skills.
• Possess the ability to convey difficult issues and positions to senior officials, proven political judgment, sensitivity to local cultures.

Education
 • Master’s Degree in law, political science, social science or in a related field.

Experience
• 2-3 years progressively responsible experience in relevant fields, including at least 1 year working on access to justice-related issues.
• Formal qualifications and/or operational experience in justice sector reform, access to justice, legal reform, human rights or related issues desirable.
• Sound and proven management skills, training experience, strong leadership, people development skills and proven ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with counterparts in a complex political situation desirable.
• Experience of working with public institutions as well as with community organizations and civil society desirable.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to deal with a range of complex legal issues would be an asset.
• Strong understanding of the linkages between access to justice, human rights and human development.
• Experience in programme/project planning and implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation of projects is essential.

Language requirements
Fluency in Arabic and English, including excellent writing skills.