ABA ROLI Asia – Technical Expert II

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) seeks a Technical Expert II (TE) to support the implementation of a program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. This position is for a proposal and is contingent upon receipt of donor funding. The TE will be responsible for implementation of a prosecutorial development and training program in the Freely Associated States (FAS) of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.

The Technical Expert II is responsible for managing technical component(s) of field program(s) within an assigned country(ies) or region(s). S/he/they apply and contribute to the principles, concepts, practices, and industry standards in a technical area within the rule of law. TE II represents the organization as a technical expert internally and with counterparts, donors, and external audiences. S/he/they manage field staff and guide them in program design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of activities.

The TE will also be responsible for overseeing the implementation of a prosecutorial capacity-building project to strengthen workforce pipelines in the legal sector to stimulate the development of prosecutorial offices in the FAS and will build relationships and work closely with relevant justice sector actors (e.g., ministries of justice, training institutes and law schools, bar associations, law firms, alternative courts, legislative bodies, regional and international organizations).

The TE II is responsible for managing all personnel under her/his/their authority including ensuring compliance with all ABA policies and systems. The TE is intended to be an expat position stationed in Palau for the duration of the three-year program implementation period with travel to the other states of Marshall Islands and Micronesia as needed.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

• Serves as an organizational leader in the technical subject matter expertise, following new developments in trends, actors, and donors to contribute to the development and implementation of program design and implementation. Stays up to date and contributes to new developments and industry best practices.
• Leads and manages sectoral or thematic area discussions in the country(ies) or region(s) of work, with both internal and external audiences. This includes but is not limited to presentations, conferences, workshops, communities of practice, publications, blogs, technical briefs, and products, etc. Drafts and reviews written and edited publication-ready technical documents on rule of law issues and/or adjacent fields on a regular basis in accordance with deadlines, without significant editorial assistance.
• In partnership with senior leadership, co-leads and manages the development of strategic partnerships and establishes and enhances effective collaboration and relationships with local entities and other development partners (e.g., local bar associations, law schools, civil society organizations (CSOs), civil society, governmental agencies, United Nations, international CSOs, etc.) to fulfill program objectives. Also supports cultivation of new strategic relationships with the political desk and/or technical bureau of potential funders, as needed.
• Applies analytical rigor and ability to use information, data, and evidence from programmatic activities and external sources to provide targeted technical and implementation advice.
• Manages all aspects of the international development program cycle within their technical area, from design to inception, implementation, evaluation, and close out.
• Regularly reviews progress against targets, ensuring successful program outputs and outcomes. Manages the periodic reporting of data and written narratives, including data review for reporting period for the assigned program(s).
• Advises program MEL staff about available standard or custom indicators for measuring change in the technical area. Participates in evaluation and learning activities, pause and reflect sessions, including partner staff, stakeholders, and other audiences. Applies an evidence-based approach to program technical design and implementation and adheres to PII and data standards as required by ABA, donor, and local policies.
• Leads technical design and writes technical narratives during the proposal development stage. Provides support in identifying strategic partners and negotiates scopes of work and budgets. Works with headquarters staff and other regional experts to strategically position the organization as a niche provider within the technical area in the rule of law field.
• Applies ABA and donor policies, as well as local laws to ensure oversight and compliance related to their area of expertise and programs. This includes but is not limited to finance, procurement, HR and staffing, and other compliance matters.
• Supervises staff members and writes performance evaluations, contributing to staff professional development goals and growth. Works closely with team members and leadership on recruitment efforts within her/his/their area of expertise, including long term staff as well as local and international consultants. Oversees the development of a diverse, skilled, and productive workforce, as applicable and an organizational culture where ABA’s values are practiced.
  Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least eight (8) years of experience in one or more thematic areas to which the job is assigned.
• Country or regional experience and appropriate language skills; professional working proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Previous experience in managing similar technical components with donors.
• Has written publication-ready pieces on rule of law issues and/or adjacent fields.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability and willingness to work effectively with diverse groups of stakeholders and be an effective team player.
• Effective time management and strong ability to multi-task, adapt and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, and comply with deadlines.
• Previous supervisory experience.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience:

• Advanced degree and 10 years of relevant technical experience.
  Experienced prosecutor with at least 8 years of experience including a background in prosecutorial training and/or the strengthening of prosecutorial systems.
• Experience managing international donor-funded programs and a background related to the Pacific Islands, especially the Freely Associated States of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.
• Demonstrated expertise and success in the designated technical area, including but not limited to democracy and governance, human rights, anti-corruption, gender equality, and social inclusion and relevant region(s)/country(ies).
• Demonstrated expertise in rule of law or relevant fields, including but not limited to democracy and governance, human rights, anti-corruption, gender equality, and social inclusion.
• Previous experience leading technical aspects on complex international programs and interfacing with donors, headquarters, staff, and local counterparts.
• Demonstrated strong research, writing, analytical, knowledge management, communication, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated written and edited peer-reviewed publication-ready technical documents on rule of law issues or relevant fields in English or native language.
• Strong program management skills including financial, procurement, HR and staffing, and compliance.
• Advanced Microsoft Office Suite skills and familiarity with social media.