Programme/Legal Assistant

Job ID/Title :469 - Programme/Legal Assistant, Planning and Technical Support Unit (Re-advertised)
Brand:UNDP
Application Deadline :16-Sep-11
Duty Station :Ramallah
Duration of Initial Contract :6 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :12 months with possibility of exentsion

UNDP has worked for several years on developing the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority (PA)’s justice system and has in the past focused on institutional capacity development of the High Judicial Council and the Attorney-General’s Office. Under the current programming framework, Supporting the Rule of Law and Access to Justice for the Palestinian People 2009-2012, which was endorsed by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Planning and Administrative Development in November 2009, support is being extended for institutional capacity development to the Ministry of Justice. In addition the programme aims to support the overall development and implementation of a comprehensive access to justice strategy engaging actors at all levels, including Bar Association, civil society organizations and other grassroots initiatives.
As part of this engagement, UNDP has a Technical Specialist based within the PA Ministry of Justice supporting the Ministry to build its institutional capacity. The Technical Specialist has assisted the Ministry to conduct a comprehensive capacity assessment of the Ministry and work is ongoing to implement its recommendations. In particular UNDP is supporting the Ministry to develop and implement a comprehensive training programme for all of the Ministry staff, in partnership with Birzeit University. In addition several short term experts have been seconded to the Ministry to increase capacity on areas such as human resources and organizational management, gender and juvenile justice, legal aid and monitoring and evaluation.
In June 2010, with UNDP technical support, the Ministry of Justice established the Planning and Technical Support Unit (TSU) within the Ministry. The TSU supports the Ministry in the areas of strategic planning and policy making, capacity development, donor relations, and providing overall support to the Ministry’s coordinating role within the justice sector. The Unit’s work is crucial in ensuring proper coordination and cooperation between the various departments of the Ministry of Justice, enhancing the strategic focus of the Ministry and ensuring that all stakeholders benefit from the international community’s contribution to the justice sector.
The TSU is comprised of a Head, a Policy Advisor, Legal Advisor and other supporting administration staff. As part of UNDP’s technical assistance to the Ministry it has been agreed, based on the importance of the continued development and sustainability of the TSU, to engage this position on behalf of the Ministry until such time as the Ministry is able to transition the position to the civil service scale.
The Legal Advisor will be responsible for supporting the Head of the TSU in terms of providing legal advice and taking primary responsibility for implementing TSU activities with the legal departments of the Ministry.



Description of Responsibilities:
Summary of key functions:
-Provide legal advice to the Head of the TSU and other senior management
-Advise the Ministry on development of legislative policies and legal strategy
-Support capacity development initiatives for the legal staff of the Ministry
-Develop legal procedures and by-laws for the ministry
-Liaise with representatives of the other justice institutions and legal staff from other Ministries
-Assist the Ministry translate justice sector strategy into action plans for the Ministry legal units and departments

1-To act as a legal advisor to the Head of the TSU including on justice sector strategy, capacity building and support to all legal aspects of Ministry work.
2-To provide support to the TSU and senior Ministry management on the development of legislative policies for the Ministry and on the implementation of work plans for the legal units of the Ministry.
3-To take the lead within the TSU on capacity building activities for the legal staff of the Ministry including supporting the development of general and specific training programmes for legal staff.
4-To support the Ministry to develop internal standard operating procedures and by-laws in order to enhance efficiency and transparency.
5-To support the TSU and Ministry in improving coordination with and support for the other justice sector institutions, including the High Judicial Council and the Attorney General’s Office.
6-Provide guidance to the TSU and legal units of the Ministry on translation strategic goals into clear action plans for departments and staff.
 
Impact of Results

The Programme/ Legal Assistant to the Planning and Technical Support Unit shall be responsible for advising the Head of the TSU and senior Ministry management on all legal aspects of strategic policy, capacity development issues and supporting the overall implementation of strategy and action plans within the legal units of the Ministry. A key impact will be the institutionalization and success of the TSU in reaching its targets.
 
Competencies :
Corporate Competencies
-Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards
-Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
-Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
-Treat all people fairly without favoritism
-Excellent communication and organizational skills

Functional Competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning
-Promote a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the office
-Sound knowledge on rule of law issues and strategic planning
-Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness
-Ability to support the Ministry of Justice in strategic planning on complex rule of law, human rights and security related issues
-Ability to provide excellent legal advice to the Ministry on strategy implementation, capacity building and policy issues
-Strong coordination skills to ensure the TSU works effectively with all legal units of the Ministry and with the justice sector institutions

Management and Leadership
-Focus on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
-Demonstrate team-building skills and shows conflict resolution skills
-Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
-Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
-Build strong relationships with clients and external actors
-Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
-Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills
-Communicate effectively with staff at all levels of the organization
-Acts with tact and diplomacy
-Prove outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels.
-Build strong relationships with clients and external actors.
-Remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure.
-Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
-Demonstrate compelling communication skills and cross-cultural effectiveness.
 
 
Qualifications :
Education:
-High School Diploma. BA degree in Law  or other related fields will be considered as an asset.

Experience:
-Minimum 3 years of experience in the legal profession, as legal assistant and/or other related fields.
-Full knowledge of Palestinian legal procedures
-Very good knowledge of Ministerial working environment
-Very good knowledge of the Justice sector
-Excellent communication and writing skills
-Ability to work within a team
-Have very strong interpersonal skills.
-Full knowledge of legal drafting, legislation plans.
-Very strong reporting skills
-Basic knowledge of English preferred

Language Requirements:
-Fluency in English and Arabic languages
"For those who applied earlier need not to apply again"
“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from both internal and external men and women will be considered equally”

UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly


Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer-
Applications from men and women will be considered equally