Background

Bhutan has made significant progress in establishing a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to advance the rule of law and access to justice. Since the 1950s, the country’s legal and judicial sector has evolved rapidly, marked by the professionalization of the judiciary in the 1990s, the creation of the Office of Legal Affairs in 1999 (later replaced by the Office of Attorney General in 2006), and the adoption of the 2008 Constitution. The Constitution guarantees separation of powers, judicial independence, a democratically elected parliament, a well-qualified judiciary and Attorney-General’s office, and a system of mediation at the local level.

Building on these foundations, Bhutan continues to invest in strengthening the justice sector and the rule of law. The Justice Sector Strategic Plan II (2024–2029) provides a strategic framework for action, prioritizing effective leadership, competent service providers, responsive and accountable services, accessibility and inclusion, and adequate infrastructure for justice delivery.

An effective and citizen-centric justice sector is essential for achieving the government’s 13th Five Year Plan (FYP) goal: ensuring that state institutions deliver inclusive, effective, and accessible justice, uphold transparent rule of law, and foster public oversight. Recent analyses and evaluations highlight the need for a more consolidated and coordinated approach to justice sector reform, one that benefits women, children, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

Enhancing access to justice for these groups is a core priority of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2024–2028) and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2024–2028). UNDP’s support for justice sector reform is guided by the principle of “leaving no one behind,” with a strong emphasis on gender equality, inclusion, and the use of disaggregated data to inform programming.

The “Strengthening People-Centric and Inclusive Access to Justice in Bhutan” project, supported by the European Union and UNDP, aims to build the capacity of justice service providers and institutions to deliver inclusive, people-centric justice; expand legal aid and awareness, especially for marginalized groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities; foster collaboration among justice sector agencies, civil society organizations, and academic institutions; and promote innovative approaches to legal empowerment, civic engagement, and rights-based governance.

This internship is designed to contribute directly to these objectives, supporting project activities that advance inclusive access to justice, legal aid expansion, legal awareness, and capacity building for vulnerable groups. Interns will work in partnership with the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law and other stakeholders, ensuring their work is fully aligned with national priorities and the strategic direction of the Access to Justice project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance Project Manager, the Intern will mainly provide assistance and support to the ongoing work in delivering tasks such as, but not limited to, programmatic, operational, and administrative work.

The intern will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Assist in technical advisory services

• Support the implementation of the Access to Justice project, including legal aid expansion and capacity-building workshops for justice service providers and CSOs.
• Prepare briefs for technical advice and guidance on the implementation of access to justice, gender, youth, and inclusion programmes.
• Undertake research for quality enhancement, drawing on regional and global experiences to improve processes and results, with a focus on access to justice, gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusion.
• Support the development and dissemination of inclusive advocacy materials (e.g., legal rights, access to justice for women and persons with disabilities).
• Participate in assessments and research on emerging justice issues (such as climate justice, digital rights, and disability inclusion) in partnership with academic institutions.
• Assist in identifying areas for future engagement and investment, including resource mobilization for access to justice for vulnerable groups, youth engagement and empowerment, and gender-based violence prevention.
• Contribute to the preparation of project progress reports, presentations, briefings, knowledge products, and other relevant documents as required.

2. Assist in Stakeholder management, partnership coordination, and external relations

• Support in building relationships with academia, private sector, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders to advance access to justice for vulnerable groups, and promote gender, youth, and inclusion.
• Conduct analysis and research on partners and donors to prepare substantive briefs, identify cooperation opportunities, and inform future engagement strategies.
• Provide coordination support to the governance team for programs related to justice, gender, youth, and inclusion.
• Assist in identifying areas for future engagement and investment, including resource mobilization for access to justice for vulnerable groups, youth empowerment, and gender-based violence prevention.

3. Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to knowledge building and sharing on current and emerging trends in access to justice, gender, youth, and inclusion.
• Prepare briefing notes on new developments and innovative approaches/solutions in gender, gender-based violence, youth engagement and empowerment, and access to justice; actively contribute to office learning processes and corporate knowledge tools.
• Support drafting and production of knowledge and advocacy products (background documents, briefs, speeches, presentations, reports, and other communication materials) related to the multi-year framework programme.
• Highlight team achievements and activities through communication materials.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluation tasks, including data collection and reporting on project indicators (e.g., number of beneficiaries reached, legal aid cases supported).
• Provide coordination support to the governance team to ensure efficient internal communications.
• Provide logistical support to governance team and other units for events.
• Support in conducting research and collecting data as requested.
• Provide other ad hoc support as required.

Competencies

• Curiosity, Creative thinking, and ability to make new and useful ideas;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Communicates effectively when working in teams and independently;
• Strong organizational skills, the ability to multi-task, and strong attention to details;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Ability to support a team and team building skills;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view; and
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude showing willingness to learn.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Candidates must at the time of application meet ONE of the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme (such as a master’s programme, or higher);
2. Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (such as bachelor’s degree or equivalent);
3. Have recently graduated with a university degree (as defined in (1) and (2) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation;
4. Be enrolled in a postgraduate professional traineeship program and undertake the internship as part of this program.

Preference will be given to candidates who are enrolled in the final academic year of a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) programme or have recently completed a LLB.

Experience:

• Applicants must have knowledge in relevant field such as: Legal Writing & Research, Oral Advocacy & Logic, Economics, Philosophy, Human Dignity, and Political Science.

Language: Candidates must be proficient in written and spoken English and Dzongkha

Disclaimer

Important information for US Permanent Residents (”Green Card” holders)

Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

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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