Legal Advisor (Part time-80%)

Contract

This is a IPSA-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Personnel Services Agreement. It is normally internationally recruited only. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IPSA-10 contracts.

Background

Instructions to Applicants: Click on the "Apply now" button. Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. Please ensure that CV or P11 and the Cover letter are combined in one file.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.

A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.

Travel

UNDP will cover the cost of travel of the individual to the duty station, as well as their return to their home upon completion of their services. Travel costs are covered only in the event that the function will be undertaken physically in the duty station and excludes working from home arrangements.

Official travel within Myanmar is currently restricted, but where the need for official travel arises UNDP will make arrangements and cover the associated costs.

Office/Unit Description

UNDP Myanmar is establishing a Civil Society Unit (CSU) as a dedicated structure to provide funding and capacity building and support coordination, networking and advocacy efforts among civil society actors. It also aims to strengthen the linkages and promote collaboration between civil society and the UN system both in Myanmar and beyond. The CSU is structured in thematic sectors which include human rights, rule of law, access to justice, and business and human rights, each with a national Coordinator. In addition, UNDP Myanmar is also setting up the Myanmar Development Observatory, an in-house think tank that will provide research, data analysis, and policy options in the three thematic pillars of Economy, SDGs, and Conflict.

UNDP Myanmar adopts a rights-based approach focusing on improving access to legal services and other remedies for underserved vulnerable groups, and supporting rights-related documentation and reporting processes. It is seeking a Legal Advisor to provide technical support to the CSU to develop strategies, support research and deliver technical capacity building to CSOs and other CSU partners, particularly in the areas of access to justice, rule of law, human rights, fair trial and due process rights and civic education. It will include the provision of legal research and analysis for documentation and reporting purposes. The Legal Advisor will also provide technical advice and analysis as required for the Observatory, particularly for the SDG pillar and the cross-cutting themes of governance and human rights.

Institutional Arrangement

Reporting line: the Legal Advisor will be supervised by the CSU Manager. Tasks undertaken as agreed in support of the Myanmar Observatory will be managed by the Observatory Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Provide technical advice, strategic advice and coordination support for the CSU and its partners

• Develop and deliver programmes of capacity building for CSU partners in access to justice, rule of law, human rights, fair trial and due process rights and civic education
• Provide technical advice and mentoring for CSU national Coordinators including in the development of strategies and policies
• Develop strategies to increase legal aid coverage and strengthen legal aid providers’ ability to assist marginalised and vulnerable communities, assist them to develop paralegal training materials on key legal areas such as labour rights, fair trial and due process rights, and to integrate these issues into their awareness raising programmes
• Build capacity and strengthen coordination between national and subnational legal professional networks and associations with a focus on legal awareness and strategies
• Conduct research and prepare analytical briefs and reports on trends, developments and opportunities in rights-related CSU thematic areas
• Support civil society and businesses through workshops, training and toolkits to better implement the UNGPs, with a focus on protecting vulnerable communities
• Conduct research and legal analysis on the B+HR situation in the post-coup context, and support development of non-state networks and redress mechanisms for B+HR issues.

Provide technical advice and legal analysis for the Myanmar Development Observatory and UNDP’s human rights analysis and reporting

• Conduct research and legal analysis for the SDG pillar and the governance and human rights cross-cutting themes of the Myanmar Development Observatory
• Act as the technical liaison on legal aid and rule of law issues with stakeholders within and outside UNDP, including by providing legal analysis and technical advice as required
• Support the collection and reporting on potential human rights violations and abuses, including in coordination with UN partners
• Provide updates and analysis on legal and accountability developments for the Myanmar Development Observatory and other platforms.

Competencies

UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "clients " and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. academic education

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Law.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Five years (with master’s degree) or Seven years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in law, law related international development projects or programmes, including at least three years working on human rights and the rule of law in countries in transition or affected by conflict.

Required skills and competencies

• Understanding of the Myanmar context, legal system and law-making process, with specific knowledge of locals laws addressing human rights, due process and labour rights, HLP issues, anti-corruption
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing training and capacity building in a conflict/developing country context in the areas of human rights, rule of law, fair trial rights and B+HR
• Ability to work proactively, independently and effectively as part of a multi-sectoral team in a multi-cultural environment
• Demonstrated ability to produce good quality research and reports

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Experience leading coordination with civil society and development partners in Myanmar
• Experience in performing legal analysis and providing advice on Myanmar’s laws, legal system, and legislative process.
• Familiarity with international laws, standards and UN mechanisms addressing human rights including B+HR

Required Language(s)

• Very high standard of spoken and written English is required.