JOB DESCRIPTION

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through its Global Programme on People-centred Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Reform, and its field office network supports Member States in developing innovative, cost-effective, and rights-compliant solutions to respond to critical challenges in the delivery of criminal justice. The Global Programme recognizes that individuals in contact with criminal justice systems are often in situations of vulnerability or belong to groups that have specific rights and needs. In line with SDG 16, the Global Programme places access to justice at the core of its efforts to strengthen justice systems, particularly for those affected by inequality, violence, and exclusion. In the area of access to justice, UNODC promotes a people-centered approach which prioritizes solutions and remedies tailored to individuals’ needs, enhances outcomes, fosters trust, and ensures no one is left behind. This involves ensuring fair, humane, and effective treatment by police and criminal justice practitioners through human rights-based, gender-responsive, child-sensitive, victim-centered, and trauma-informed responses, implementing measures to eliminate discrimination, strengthening integrity, accountability, and oversight mechanisms within justice institutions, expanding legal aid and victims support services, and promoting restorative justice approaches, The work of the Global Programme and its access to justice team is based on international law and good practices, including UN standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice and promotes South-South, North-South, and triangular cooperation. Reducing crime, conflict, violence, and discrimination must be central to any strategy aimed at advancing good governance and the rule of law.

Context

This task contributes to the work of the UNODC Access to Justice Team, which supports Member States in fulfilling their commitment to ensure equal access to justice for all persons in contact with the criminal justice system (whether as victims, witnesses, or suspects) in line with UN standards and norms on crime prevention and criminal justice. The Online Volunteer’s research will support the Team’s ability to deliver evidence-based policy advice, develop informed programme strategies, and promote promising practices that advance equal access to justice for all.

Task Description

The Online Volunteer will support the UNODC Access to Justice Team by conducting a comprehensive review of recent, publicly available and academic evidence on a range of access to justice-related topics, such as those related to reform, professionalization and modernization of criminal justice institutions (police, prosecution, judiciary), access to legal aid, the promotion of restorative justice in criminal cases, victim support and protection, and the impact of discrimination on marginalized communities and associated barriers to justice. The Online Volunteer will be expected to: • Conduct open-source and academic research using credible online databases and platforms. • Review recent reports from UN special procedures and mandate holders relevant to the topics above. • Systematize, organize, and summarize findings in a clear and structured manner. • Coordinate with the team remotely.

Competencies and values

Living conditions and remarks

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements