Consultants - Policies and Legislation at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:

Job TItle: Consultancy for Support State Level Adoption of Policies and Legislation

Location: Abuja and Travel to Other Locations as Required, Nigeria
Additional Category: Governance and Peacebuilding
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date: 1st September, 2016.
Duration of Initial Contract: 60 days (Two Consultants Required)
Expected Duration of Assignment: 60 working days over 12 months

Background

• The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the United Nations Agency entrusted with the mandate to assist Member States in their efforts against corruption, illicit drugs, crime and terrorism.
• As part of its mandate, UNODC has been providing technical assistance in the area of justice sector reform globally and in Nigeria specifically for several years and has built up a knowledge base of successful practices in all the areas of crime prevention and criminal justice reform, including with a strong focus on sectoral approaches to such reforms.
• UNODC also has strong relationships with national and international counterparts in the region and the capacity to mobilise its global network for efficient delivery of its mandate.
• It is therefore well placed to assist the Government of Nigeria (GoN) to improve its justice system as a necessary means of enhancing good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
• The European Union (EU) and the GoN have entrusted to UNODC the responsibility to implement Project NGAV18 - “Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria”.
• The project is currently being implemented at the Federal level and in ten (10) pilot States namely Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Imo, Osun, Katsina, Lagos and Yobe and the Federal Capital Territory.
• The project’s expected outcomes include supporting the efforts of the Nigerian Government to improve justice delivery through i) Effective coordination and cooperation among justice sector institutions, with improved legal and policy framework; ii) Enhanced operational structures and capabilities of officials in the sector and; ii) Increased access to justice and respect for human rights and the rule of law, especially for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. It will also improve mechanisms for accountability and engagement of civil society with justice institutions, thereby enhancing respect for human rights and public trust in the justice system.

Purpose of the Assignment

• The consultancy is designed to ensure that UNODC has a pool of experts that can deliver good presentations, develop and advocate for the adoption and implementation of tools, laws and policies developed under the project as well as achieve better coordination and implementation of the project at the National and state level.
• The consultant will be expected to disseminate information on the project thus ensuring that awareness is created about the project, thus increasing the capacities and effectiveness of the reform teams, justice sector institutions/officials and the European Union funded interventions in the States justice sector.  

Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Project coordinator and National Project Officer Coordination/Policy / Legislation and in direct consultation with the project team, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Develop Templates, Rules and tools for the effective implementation of ACJA provisions on probation, community service and service of processes and organize 5 workshops, roundtables on the items developed;
• Prepare and present background and substantive papers on topical issues as well as issues which are of interest to UNODC at 5 events including on Sentencing Guidelines, National prosecutors Policy guidelines and code of conduct, Administration of Criminal Justice ACT/Laws, Violence Against person Act/laws, Anti-torture Bill, Community Service bill and other such topics at both the National and State levels;
• Support the  FJSRCC and State reform committees  to advocate and pursue the state level adoption and implementation of laws and policies passed at national level such as the ACJA, VAAP Act, the Prosecutors policy, guidelines and code of conduct and sentencing guidelines at at least 6 events;
• Support the office of the advisor to the Vice president on rule of law to develop remand proceedings indicators for justice sector institutions  and train relevant officials on use of the indicators;
• Facilitate UNODC workshops and activities necessary for drafting and technical support around laws and policies to be passed at the national and state levels including sentencing guidelines, Prosecutors policy, guidelines and code of conduct, ACJA), and advocate for their implementation;
• Support other project related activities as required.

The consultants will be expected to submit the following:

•  A draft Presentation on Sentencing Guidelines with a report detailing activities carried out in support of the project for the period in soft and bound hard copies;
• A draft presentation on the VAPPA Act with a report on support provided for State level adoption of the law in two States in Soft and bound hard copies;
•  Protocols/Guidelines  developed in support of the implementation of the ACJA and VAPPA Act in soft and bound hard copies of ( 2 Templates, 2 Guidelines) ;
• A draft Presentation on the National prosecutors Policy, Guidelines and Code of Conduct;
• A Final report containing the all the activities implemented/supported by the consultant as well as the support given to the project by the consultant.

Reporting:

• The contractor shall consult closely with the UNODC during all phases of the assignment, the consultant will report monthly by e-mail to UNODC on the status of works. This reporting obligation may be changed in consultation between UNODC and the contractor.

Performance Indicators:
Indicators to evaluate the consultant’s performance are:

• Timely and accurate submission of the action plan with states priorities identified;
• Substantive and linguistic quality of the documents prepared;
• Timely submission of reports;
• Acceptance of all the required outputs by UNODC.

Competencies:

• Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation skills in English;
• Excellent expreience on issues affecting criminal justice system especially familiarity with reforms;
• Strong organizational awareness,client orientation and government advisory skills;
• Good drafting and reporting skills.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• An advanced  Degree in Law, Criminology, Political or Social Science, Criminal Justice, International Relations, Public Administration, or related field;
• A first level-University degree in related fields in combination with additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced University degree.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the Justice Sector especially familiarity with reforms;
• 10 years of  experience of working in the relevant area (Justice Sector Reforms, legal or research work);
• Proven experience and knowledge of the Nigerian criminal justice system;
• Previous experience with the United Nations System, European Union funded projects or other international organisations would be an asset;
•  Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages.
• Languages Required: English 

Application Closing Date
23rd August, 2016.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online