Background
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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.
Strengthening accountability and tackling corruption are essential pre-requisites for Iraq’s long-term stability, economic recovery, and development. Both Iraqi and regional Kurdish governments have recently initiated steps to drive an ambitious anticorruption agenda. However, significant gaps remain in legislative and strategic framework, investigation and adjudication, enforcement and recovery of stolen assets. Funded by the EU, UNDP Iraq launched the “Support to Justice Initiatives Curbing Corruption and Promoting Commercial Dispute Resolution” Project (hereinafter, Anti-Corruption & Arbitration Initiatives (ACAI) in May 2021 to support public partners at federal and the Kurdistan Regional Government to improve their capacity and legal framework to combat corruption and conduct commercial litigation. The project works closely with the Prime Minister Office and supports directly the Commission of Integrity, the Higher Judicial Council and the Legal and Integrity Committees of the Council of Representatives, in addition to key civil society and investigative media organizations.
The project has the following specific outcomes: (1) Improved Legislative and Strategic Framework for Anti- Corruption Reforms; (2) The justice sector, lawyers and Commission of Integrity are better equipped to process corruption offences due to (2.1) improved technical skills relevant for corruption investigation, prosecution, adjudication and (2.2) improved integrity rules of the justice sector; (3) Improved capacity and legal framework to conduct commercial litigation through (3.1) better legal framework and capacity building for arbitration and (3.2) further development of the commercial court; (4) Create a climate of support in Parliament for anti-corruption reforms; (5) Increased transparency and public accountability.
The Trial Monitoring programme falls under outcome 2 and focuses on monitoring of grand corruption cases in Iraq, at the federal level as well as Kurdistan Region of Iraq. His/her main task is to monitor criminal proceedings of high-level cases in the governorates and review casefiles of high-level corruption cases. The Trial Monitoring Analyst will be recruited by UNDP and seconded to UNAMI HRO to which she/he will report to, under the supervision of the Senior Trial Monitoring Specialist (Team Lead). The Trial Monitoring Analyst will be based in Baghdad.
The Trial Monitoring Analyst will be recruited by UNDP under Output 2.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Trial Monitoring Analyst will undertake the followings:
Data Collection and Trials Monitoring
- Gather and verify information using a variety of tools including interviews with investigators, prosecutors, judges, lawyers, media reports, verdicts, warrants etc. and all that enable better case identification, selection and tracking in cases’ records.
- Attend all relevant investigation and trial hearings and document courtroom observations, and enter, store and safeguard the data into the TM Information Management System.
- Ensure the accuracy and integrity of data through routine quality checks and control of the TM Database.
- Conduct regular data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and key performance indicators, for improvement of the TM Programme and activities.
- Ensure compliance with trial monitoring guidelines and methodology and the strict adherence to code of conduct and principles of integrity of the trial monitoring programme.
Analysis and Reports of Trial Monitoring Programme
- Coordinate with the Trial Monitoring Team in conducting the preliminary assessment of existing conditions of trial monitoring programme regarding grand corruption cases.
- Undertake first-hand analysis of courts’ proceedings, verdicts, casefiles, judicial orders and relevant legal texts and contribute to analysis of findings, preparation of presentation and writing of regular and annual reports internally and externally.
- Compile comprehensive reports summarizing the program’s progress, challenges, and achievements, and ensure that reports are accurate, well-organized, and tailored to the intended audience.
- Prepare and submit regular reports on programme progress, outcomes, and impact.
- Customize reports for different stakeholders, ensuring that information is presented in a clear and accessible manner.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement in reporting activities and suggest enhancements to streamline reporting processes.
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting to internal and external stakeholders, facilitate informed decision-making, contribute to the overall success of the programme/project, support trial monitoring activities.
Ensure effective Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance
- Facilitate in monitoring the implementation of the framework for the TM programme activities.
- Conduct regular evaluations to assess the TM programme’s impact and effectiveness of TM programme activities, and provide recommendations based on evaluation findings.
- Conduct quality checks on reports to ensure accuracy and consistency.
- Seek feedback from TM programme and ACAI project to continuously improve the quality of reporting.
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Build strategic stakeholder engagement
- Build trust, communicate and work closely with all the stakeholders of the trial monitoring programme, and maintain strong relationships with the justice institutions.
- Enlist the cooperation of non-governmental entities such as bar associations, legal representatives’ union and CSOs,
- Identify the appropriate levels of interaction with stakeholders and advise the project management on sustaining dialogue and cooperation with them.
Facilitation of workshops and conferences:
- Facilitate the organization of workshops, conferences and public events including logistics, design, clerical support, and translation.
- Contribute to identify the participants, speakers, presenters, and moderators and support with taking the minutes during the workshops, documenting for communication, M&E and reporting purposes.
- Facilitate with the procurement, administrative and financial processes to ensure timely holding of workshops and conferences.
Provision of general management support
- Ensures timely implementation of the project work plan.
- Ensures timely and adequate reporting against plans, including timely and articulate progress reports.
- Manages day to day administrative matters for the project with coordination with administrative team.
- Support translation of legal documents such as verdicts, project documents, letters, and reports, and with interpretation during meetings with stakeholders.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Institutional Arrangement
The Trial Monitoring Analyst shall report directly to the Senior Trial Monitoring Specialist – Team Lead.
Competencies
| Core | |
| 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:
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Business Direction & Strategy | System Thinking | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system. |
| 2030 Agenda: Peace | Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights | Access to Justice |
| Legal | Legal analysis skills | The ability to digest a large amount of information and facts in order to frame and understand an issue, apply the legal framework to the particular set of facts and present a coherent and comprehensive analysis of the situation presented in order to deliver practical and meaningful advice. This skill includes the ability to provide an objective assessment of the case, the organization’s best arguments for proceeding and a recommended course of action. It also includes the capacity to think creatively and flexibly, within the applicable legal framework. |
| Digital & Innovation | Data literacy | Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation. Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative, qualitative or real-time techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration. |
| Legal | Legal writing skills | The ability to analyze fact patterns and present argumentation in written form. This includes the ability to draft memoranda, legal briefs and other submissions to external parties, in both an advocacy and objective format, and legal opinions. It also includes the ability to convey legal analysis and recommendations to internal parties in written form, with a particular view towards communicating for the particular audience who may not be a lawyer or have legal background. |
| 2030 Agenda: Peace | Governance | SDG 16. |
Required Skills and Experience
| Min. Education requirements | - Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, is required, or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Law in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
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| Min. years of work experience | - Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevantexperience in law and legal systems is required.
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| Required skills | - Experience and sound knowledge of legal procedures and court processes.
- Strong communication skills and ability to engage in substantive legal discussions with stakeholders.
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP.
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| Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section | - Experience in implementing anti-corruption strategies and participating in related seminars, workshops, or training is an asset.
- Experience with judiciary and justice system and procedures is desired.
- Experience in working directly with UN agencies is an asset.
- Experience in trial monitoring, especially ability to remain impartial and objective is desired.
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| Required Language(s) | - Fluency in English and Arabic is required.
- Working knowledge of another UN language is desired.
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| Professional Certificates | N/A |
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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