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.
The NAIG Project aims to support key democratic institutions in Nauru which are responsible for ensuring effective, inclusive and accountable political governance, the National Parliament and the National Elections Commission (NEC), and implementing specific programming directed at promoting the more informed and active participation of the general public in Nauruan governance and politics, and targeted work to promote gender equality to ensure that women of all ages are more engaged in politics and public life. The Project will also contribute to strengthening rule of law, by working with the justice institutions, including the Public Legal Defenders Office and legal practioners. The Project will also include activities to engage the public across all outcome areas (with a particular focus on women and young people) who are responsible for holding their government to accountability.
The project has the following outputs:
- Output 1: Strengthen Electoral Commission processes and capacities.
- Output 2: Strengthen Parliament capacities to ensure inclusive, accountable governance.
- Output 3: Strengthened capacities of justice sector practitioners and institutions to deliver people-centered and rights-based justice services to all people:
- Activity 3.3: Technical advice and capacity building support provided to strengthen capacity of pleaders to become active stakeholders in Justice Sector.
- Activity 3.4: Justice sector stakeholder capacities enhanced through Continuous Legal Education (CLE);
- Activity 3.5: Institutional, technical and operational support provided to strengthen the Law Society’s capacities to fulfil its mandates.
- Output 4: Pilot and roll out national civic education initiatives
- Output 5: Strengthen the engagement of women and girls in politics and public life.
The Nauru Justice initiative is anchored in Output 3 of the NAIG Project and seeks to bolster the key elements necessary for a just and equitable society. The initiative focuses on strengthening the rule of law by ensuring that legal frameworks, legislation and practices are robust, transparent, and effective whilst also working with judicial officers, legal practitioners and justice institutions to provide a people-cantered and rights-based justice services to the citizens of Nauru.
Furthermore, the justice component recognizes the importance of promoting legal literacy, advocacy, and training on human rights for specific groups within Nauru. It places special emphasis on women, young people and people with disabilities. By offering support in these areas, the project fosters a greater understanding of human rights among these groups and empowers them to advocate for their rights effectively. This initiative not only contributes to the rule of law but also enhances overall justice system in Nauru by ensuring that vulnerable and marginalized individuals have access to legal resources and are equipped to protect their rights.
The engagement of two experienced legal specialists accordingly finds its foundation in Activity 3.3, a cornerstone pillar under the project that is specifically focused on the provision of technical legal advice, guidance and the facilitation of capacity building for pleaders in Nauru in the form of advocacy, drafting of submissions, drafting of court documents to name a few. In addition, the engagement of two experienced legal practioners will support programming, corporate learning and guide the implementation of the Nauru Justice Initiative under Activity 3.5. The engagement of two experienced legal specialists is also closely intertwined with Activity 3.4, which focuses on enhancing the capabilities of Pleaders and legal practitioners through continuous legal education (CLE).
In response to a request from the Nauru Government, UNDP, through the NAIG project, will engage two experienced legal specialists attached to Public Legal Defenders Office, who will work closely with Justice Stakeholders in Nauru and provide legal advice to parties of the plaintiff and defendant respectively in areas related to drafting court
documents, developing legal submissions, improving legal research knowledge, refining advocacy skills and overall legal guidance on civil and criminal cases.
The fundamental objective for the engaging of two experienced legal specialist attached to Public Legal Defenders Office revolves around the assurance of unfettered access for pleaders to seasoned legal guidance, particularly concerning the intricate art of drafting court documents, formulating precise legal submissions, and honing the art of legal advocacy. This effort represents a practical and hands-on solution aimed at dealing with ongoing legal cases.
Engaging two legal professionals in Nauru holds the promise of a significant elevation in the standard of legal representation for pleaders in the region. These seasoned practitioners, with their wealth of experience, bring a depth of knowledge that goes beyond textbook understanding, offering practical insights into the intricacies of legal proceedings. This hands-on approach not only ensures the immediate improvement of ongoing cases but also contributes to the long-term enhancement of legal practitioners’ skills in Nauru. Ultimately, the engagement of these senior legal professionals is a strategic investment in raising the bar of legal standards, promoting fairness, and bolstering the overall integrity of the legal system in Nauru.
The role(s) will work under the supervision of the Project Manager in partnership with the Office of the Public Legal Defender. The crucial position of the justice role(s) within this project will be fully financed by dedicated project funds.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Specialist attached to the public defenders office will have practical and strong experience working on justice and rule of law issues as well as have a global understanding of rule of law in development settings, specifically in small island developing states (SIDS) contexts. Moreover, the Legal Specialist practitioners will have practical and strong experience working in areas of legal practice, litigation, legal advocacy and/or legal drafting.
Under the supervision of NAIG Project Manager, the role(s) will assist with the following tasks:
Technical Guidance and Capacity Building:
- Provide expert legal advice to practicing pleaders and legal practitioners on matters related to drafting court documents, developing legal submissions, improving legal research knowledge and refining advocacy skills.
- Facilitate capacity-building workshops and training sessions to enhance the overall legal proficiency of Nauru’s legal professionals.
- Develop a comprehensive plan to improve the legal research knowledge of the engaged legal practitioners and legal pleaders in Nauru.
- Facilitate regular debrief sessions with the engaged legal pleaders and practitioners to address challenges, provide guidance, and ensure alignment with project objectives.
- Provide strong strategic advice to UNDP based on needs of Nauru justice stakeholders.
Course Design and Implementation for Continued Legal Education:
- Collaborate with local legal specialists and pleaders to design relevant and timely courses tailored to the needs of Nauru’s legal practitioners and pleaders.
- Organize training sessions or provide resources to ensure legal pleaders or practitioners stay updated on legal precedents and relevant case law.
- Utilize existing structures and programs that seek to strengthen capacity for legal practitioners.
Legal Training Coordination:
- Organize and oversee the execution of training programs, ensuring that they are well-structured, engaging, and responsive to the evolving needs of legal practitioners; and
- Coordinate the scheduling of workshops, seminars, and educational events to optimize participation and impact.
Enhance Capacity and Capability of Legal Pleaders
- Strengthen the capacity and capability of legal pleaders in the drafting of court documents.
- Strengthen the capacity and capability of legal pleaders in legal advocacy and legal strategy for litigation.
- Enhance the proficiency and expertise of legal pleaders in Nauru across a comprehensive spectrum of practice areas, encompassing both civil and criminal law.
- Foster continuous professional development opportunities for legal pleaders through regular workshops, seminars, and training programs focused on emerging legal trends, case law updates, and procedural changes.
- Establish mentorship programs where experienced legal professionals can guide and support junior legal pleaders, facilitating knowledge transfer and skill development.
- Encourage collaboration and knowledge-sharing among legal pleaders through the creation of a platform or forum where they can discuss legal challenges, share best practices, and learn from each other’s experiences.
Long-Term Planning and Strategy:
- Formulate a strategic approach to continuous legal education, considering long-term goals and anticipating the evolving demands of the legal landscape.
- Develop a roadmap for the progressive development of legal pleaders and practitioners, aiming to elevate their skills and expertise over time.
- Provide quality technical support to UNDP with the implementation of the Nauru Justice Initiative Annual Workplan. Promote justice and rule of law results, ensuring appropriate levels of visibility and public awareness on results and ongoing activities.
- Apply international and/or regional best practices on rule of law work in Nauru, with special consideration for local context.
- Assist in coordination with community and regional stakeholders and partners – including work with civil society, courts, prosecutors, police, legal practitioners, and administration; and
- Support the identification and implementation of effective partnerships and related networks to facilitate project implementation, as well as identify issues, risks, priorities, and opportunities that support effective project monitoring and delivery in the area of responsibility.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
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:
2030 Agenda: Peace
- Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights: Development of Institutions in Justice Sector
Business Direction & Strategy
- 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.
Business Development
- Knowledge generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.
Legal
- Managing client relations: The ability to interact with different levels of management and across different justice institutions and stakeholders in Nauru to obtain information, develop legal approaches and resolve issues. This skill includes liaison with counterparts and determining the best sequence in which to pursue an issue, where information, particularly for UNDP, may be across different independent UN agencies.
Business Management
- Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
- 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.
Business Direction & Strategy
- Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized in line with UNDP’s objective based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
Required Skills and Experience:
Education:
- Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, admission into the legal profession with accompanying relevant practicing certificate(s) is required, OR
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Law, admission into the legal profession with accompanying relevant practicing certificate(s) in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.
Experience:
- Min. years of relevant work experience Minimum 5 years (with Master´s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of experience in legal practice, litigation, legal advocacy and legal drafting. Experience in rule of law and human rights field would be advantageous.
- Required skills Experience of work as a practicing lawyer or advocate or barrister or solicitor partners in rule of law, justice, development and/or humanitarian sector is desirable.
- Experience in litigation, criminal, civil or both, and Judicial review
- Conveyancing skills in drafting contracts and other commercial agreement, leasing instruments
- Excellent negotiating and communication skills and ability to mobilize support from a wide range of partners (public, private, academic, civil society, community leaders).
- Experience in the Pacific would be an advantage.
- Experience of working in SIDS and / or politically complex settings
- Legal Practitioner with practicing certificate and/or legal admission from any eligible commonwealth country
Required Languages:
Disclaimer
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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