Background:
Detained persons and prisoners have a wide range of various needs for legal aid and support, including human rights protection including rights to freedom from torture and ill-treatment, as well as access to benefits, family law issues, domestic violence, housing law issues, debt, etc.
Specifically, with regard to torture and ill-treatment, when the Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan seeks to hire lawyers, they have found that even the experienced lawyers lack the necessary skills to protect the rights and interests of victims of torture and ill-treatment, and lack experience in interacting with other stakeholders on this topic. According to the training programme for lawyers at the Training Centre for Advanced Studies of the Union of Advocates of the Republic of Tajikistan, the training curriculum does not cover international standards on torture, ill-treatment and access to information.
Therefore, there is a great need to develop the skills of those lawyers that will provide legal aid and support to detained persons and prisoners.
In 2022, based on discussions and agreement with the Union of Advocates of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Union facilitated development of the module for lawyers and conducted two-day trainings for lawyers from the Union of Advocates in Dushanbe.
In 2023, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Union of Advocates, the Office will develop a training curriculum for lawyers within the Union of Advocates and Ministry of Justice on legal aid, human rights protection and access to justice, with focus on: (i) legal aid for prisoners and former prisoners; (ii) disability rights protection; (iii) representation in discrimination and harassment cases; and (iv) legal aid for victims of domestic violence. Based on the developed training curriculum with Office support in 2022, the Office will facilitate organization and delivering of three two-day training sessions in Dushanbe, Khujand and Bokhtar for lawyers.
The Office will facilitate development of new training modules for lawyers within the Union of Advocates and Ministry of Justice on legal aid, human rights protection and access to justice with focus on: (i) legal aid for prisoners and former prisoners; (ii) disability rights protection; (iii) representation in discrimination and harassment cases; and (iv) legal aid for victims of domestic violence. Based on that, the Office will facilitate written translation of developed documents, publication and distribution to the national counterparts.
Additionally, the Office will facilitate organization and delivering of one two-day training session in each cities: Dushanbe, Bokhtar and Khujand for lawyers.
To support this activity, the Office will enter into Special Service Agreement (SSA) with two national experts for duration of 4 (four) months recruited through recruitment procedures, who will develop related training module and conduct two-day training session.
Objective of Assignment:
The main objective generally is to support the host Government, based on discussions and agreement with the Union of Advocates of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Office will facilitate recruitment of national expert who will:
Conduct comprehensive analyses of latest national legislation and international standards on legal aid, human rights protection and access to justice; Develop a module for two-day training courses, based on comprehensive analyses of latest national legislation and international standards on (i) legal aid for prisoners and former prisoners; (ii) disability rights protection; (iii) representation in discrimination and harassment cases; and (iv) legal aid for victims of domestic violence; Develop detailed agenda of the two-day training courses in Dushanbe, Khujand and Bokhtar; Develop pre and post-test to evaluate the level of capacity of lawyers; Provide results of the training courses (based on pre-post-test review) with concrete recommendations and follow-up actions
Duration of Assignment:
4 months.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Rule of Law Officer, the national expert will perform the following tasks:
Task 1. Comprehensive analyses of latest national legislation and international standards on legal aid, human rights protection and access to justice, and development of the training module:
National expert will conduct comprehensive analyses of latest national legislation and international standards on (i) legal aid for prisoners and former prisoners; (ii) disability rights protection; (iii) representation in discrimination and harassment cases; and (iv) legal aid for victims of domestic violence; Based on comprehensive analyses of latest national legislation and international standards on torture prevention and ill-treatment, the national expert will develop a module for two-day training courses in Dushanbe, Khujand and Bokhtar; Based on that, the national expert will develop detailed agenda for the two-day training courses;
Task 2. Delivery of the two-day training courses for lawyers on legal aid, human rights protection and access to justice
Based on developed training module and detailed agenda, the national expert will deliver two-day training courses for lawyers in Dushanbe, Khujand and Bokhtar; National expert will develop pre and post-test to evaluate the level of capacity of lawyers; National expert will provide results of the training courses (based on pre-post-test review) with concrete recommendations and follow-up actions.
Deliverables:
Comprehensive analyses of latest national legislation and international standards on legal aid, human rights protection and access to justice conducted; Based on comprehensive analyses of latest national legislation and international standards on legal aid, human rights protection and access to justice, a module for two-day training course developed; Based on that, detailed agenda of the two-day training courses developed; Based on developed training module and detailed agenda, a two-day training courses for lawyers in Dushanbe, Khujand and Bokhtar delivered; Pre and post-test to evaluate the level of capacity of lawyers developed; The results of the training courses (based on pre-post-test review) with concrete recommendations and follow-up actions provided.
Necessary Qualifications:
Advanced degree in law, social/political science, public policy, or other relevant subjects; Minimum ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in criminal justice standards, justice reform, particular in torture prevention and ill-treatment; Experience in legal analysis and reporting, application of international standards to domestic legislation and legal frameworks; Excellent research, analytical and reporting skills; Fluency in Russian language, knowledge of Tajik language is an asset; Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities; Ability and willingness to work as a member of team, with people of different cultural, and religious backgrounds, different gender, and diverse political views, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity; Computer literate with practical experience using Microsoft applications.
Remuneration Package:
Remuneration will be based on the selected consultant's/expert's qualifications, experience, the tasks and deliverables for this position and in accordance with the OSCE established rates.
If you wish to apply for this position, please use the OSCE's online application link found under https://vacancies.osce.org/.
The OSCE retains the discretion to re-advertise/re-post the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.
Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.
The OSCE is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all religious, ethnic and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the Organization.
Candidates should be aware that OSCE officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the OSCE. The OSCE is committed to applying the highest ethical standards in carrying out its mandate. For more information on the values set out in OSCE Competency Model, please see https://jobs.osce.org/resources/document/our-competency-model.
Please be aware that the OSCE does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process. Additional Information
Issued by: OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Requisition ID: TAJ000122 Contract Type: Special Service Agreement (SSA) / Consultant Grade: No grade Job Type: Consultant Number of posts: 2 Location: TAJ - OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, Dushanbe Issue Date: May 29, 2023 Closing Date: Jun 19, 2023 Education Level: Master's Degree (Second-level university degree or equivalent) Job Field: Rule of Law