Justice Officer

negotiable / YEAR Expires in 3 days

JOB DETAIL

Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP:  we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
UNDP implements various activities focused on promoting human rights and the rule of law. These efforts encompass the provision of expert advice, capacity building, public awareness and regulatory reform.
Within the framework of the ongoing Human Rights, Justice, and Rule of Law Programme, UNDP prioritizes strengthening the capacities of free legal aid providers and enhancing access to justice. The primary focus is on the Public Defender’s Office within the Chamber of Advocates to ensure effective protection for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, including refugees. This approach is designed to ensure the timely and quality delivery of services, ultimately enhancing access to justice and safeguarding human rights protection.
Additionally, UNDP extends support  to raise public awareness about opportunities for accessing state-guaranteed free legal aid,  empowering communities with a protective and informed understanding of the legal landscape and human rights,  fostering a stronger sense of justice. Attention is also directed towards enhancing the capacities of mediators, arbitrators and legal professionals in alternative dispute resolution, responding to the increasing demand nationwide and supporting regulatory reform. UNDP also supports the government to promote pro bono legal services, encouraging legal professionals to contribute their expertise pro bono and thereby improving access to justice.
The project initiatives also include efforts to build capacities for the early identification, monitoring, and prevention of hate speech and disinformation.
The Justice Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the project activities, ensuring delivery of  project outputs, coordination, monitoring iand  managing other related activities. Working under direct supervision of the Programme Manager, the incumbent will closely collaborate with partner institutions, ensuring regular communication with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Justice,  Supreme Judicial Council, Chamber of Advocates and other national partners.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Support the Programme Manager in ensuring the steady progress towards achieving goals and objectives of the Project;
  • Ensure timely implementation of the Project activities in regular coordination with the beneficiary insttutions;
  • Ensure the timely administration of the Project, including its reporting, budgeting stemming from annual work-plan;
  • Provide substantive technical inputs to the annual workplan and budget; work towards its timely implementation with Project partners and beneficiaries; monitor budget implementation and make budget re-alignments/revisions as necessary;
  • Work towards safeguarding, monitoring and facilitating quality assurance of all Project activities as spelled out in the Project document;
  • Monitor progress of implementation of activities and finances using the results-based management tools;
  • Ensure effective information flow and exchange within the team;
  • Contribute to the selection of international and national consultants/companies and preparation of procurements and contracting packages in line with the work plans and UNDP rules and guidelines;
  • Work closely and coordinate the work of the national and international experts of the Project;
  • Organize and attend field missions as necessary and draft reports on monitoring site visits;
  • Draft and coordinate the call/request for proposals, including the organization of technical review committees, and capacity assessment of partners; identify capacity development needs of stakeholders;
  • Keep updated a mapping of main stakeholders/ partners in the field in the Project target sectors;
  • Coordinate and organize advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;
  • Support the Programme Manager to coordinate the development/expansion of knowledge management strategies, methodologies, and products on rule of law and justice  area of work;
  • Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned that are directly linked to the implementation of the programme activities and contribute to their dissemination;
  • Support the Programme Manager in provision of substantive inputs to resource mobilization strategies, analyzing and maintaining information and databases on donors and developing database of project profiles for presentation to donors;
  • Draft the long-term support package for the justice and rule of law sectors;
  • Prepare relevant documentation such as project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles, and participate in donor meetings and public information events;
  • Ensure proper maintenance of the documentation and filing system;
  • Manage the Project contracts outsourced to third parties to ensure timely and due quality of delivery of products and services;
  • Confirm receipt of goods and services procured, authorize payments from the Project funds, monitor financial status of the Project;
  • Provide support in identification and procurement of services and equipment;

To provide analysis and strategic advice:

  • Support transfer of technical assistance and substantive advice to the beneficiary institutions in relevant sectors;
  • Promote networking and experience sharing between the Project stakeholders and target groups;
  • Contribute to capacity development and awareness raising of the beneficiaries during interviews, workshops, training events, and conferences;
  • Liaise and establish effective professional relationship with the authorities on national, regional and local level.

To ensure Project visibility through preparation and implementation of a communication strategy:

  • Support the Programme Manager to foster due coordination and linkages of the parallel UNDP projects on rule of law, human rights , police and constitutional reform in Armenia;
  • Ensure timely communication and coordination with Project partners and donors for implementation of the planned interventions;
  • Ensure due information and communication flows for all stakeholders, promote networking and experience sharing between Project stakeholders and target groups;
  • In absence of the Programme Manager represent the Project on behalf of UNDP in collaboration with authorities, and other international and local organizations;
  • Support the Programme team in other daily duties and responsibilities as required.
Competencies
Core Competencies
  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

  • System Thinking
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
  • 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.
  • Communication
    • Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
    • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
  • Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights 
    • Safeguarding human rights and protecting vulnerable groups
  • Partnership management
    • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Government, civil society and private sector partners, experts and other in line with UNDP strategy and policies
  • Monitoring
    • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
  • Resource mobilization
    • Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establishes a plan to meet funding requirements
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
  • Master’s degree or equivalent in law, human rights law, international relations, political science or related field is required. Or
  • Bachelor’s degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.
Experience:
  • Minimum of 2 years (with Master’s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree)  of professional experience in working with the Government and state institutions.

Required Skills:

  • Thorough understanding of the national and international frameworks related to the justice sector, encompassing alternative dispute resolution, judicial reforms, free legal services, and access to justice.
  • Familiarity with the respective stakeholders, spanning governmental entities, the judiciary, Chamber of Advocates, international organizations, and civil society.

Desired Skills:

  • Experience in project implementation with a focus on innovative policy and practical solutions in Justice and Rule of Law sectors.
  • Experience and familiarity with strategic documents on Justice and anti-corrpution reforms.
  • Experience in drafting project proposals, strategic and policy papers in the field of Justice and human Rights.

Languages:

  • Fluency in English and Armenian (written and spoken) is required.
  • Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Institutional Arrangement

The Justice Officer will work under direct supervision of the Programme Manager and in close cooperation with the counterpart institutions.

Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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Yerevan, Armenia