Background/Project Descriptionย
Jamaicaโs international human rights commitments are reflected nationally in a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which is embedded within the Constitution and other laws and policies, to protect women, children and other vulnerable groups from discrimination and gender-based violence. The countryโs legislative framework is thus supportive of rule of law and a fair and equitable justice system. These rule of law priorities are captured in Vision 2030 and reflect the countryโs policy and planning alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Despite Jamaicaโs strong constitutional and legislative foundation, the effectiveness of the justice system has been stymied by institutional, resource and cultural challenges. The current strategic plans of the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary highlight several institutional, technological and policy initiatives to be implemented in the short, medium and long term to systemically address these challenges towards ensuring improved efficacy and efficiency of the justice system. Importantly, these initiatives build on previous successes while anticipating the future needs of justice sector. Notwithstanding, there remain significant socio-economic challenges which affect peopleโs experience of justice services. These socio-cultural issues include, but are not limited to, real and perceived barriers emerging from inadequacies in the accessibility of justice services to vulnerable groups such as rural populations and persons living with disabilities, and limited capacity to protect and fulfill the rights of children in contact and in conflict with the law. At present, the Ministry of Justiceโs policies, strategies, and data gathering capacity are limited, resulting in challenges in tailoring justice services to fully meet the needs of the most vulnerable, ensure equitable social justice outcomes, or mainstream gender equity considerations.
In addition to these issues, one of the causal factors for the high demand for justice services and the current high case backlog is the countryโs high crime rate. Jamaica has one of the highest crime rates in the Latin American region and in the world. Improved efficiency in the delivery of justice is therefore hinged on a reduced demand for justice services and expansion of the scope of services provided.ย ย The Ministry of Justice has promulgated a suite of alternative justice services (AJS) such as mediation and other alternative dispute resolution methods, restorative justice, child diversion and other services, in response to the identified needs. These are designed, in part, to reduce the inflow of criminal and civil disputes into courts. However, lack of knowledge and understanding among members of the public has limited their effectiveness and uptake.ย These challenges collectively undermine social justice and can have a deleterious effect on public perceptions of and interactions with the justice sector, despite the realities of ongoing reforms.
Financed by Global Affairs Canada, the Social Justice (SO-JUST) Project is a 7-year project which aims to use an equitable human rights and gender responsive approach, targeting systemic change within the processes of the Ministry of Justice, its departments and agencies, the Courts, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other state and non-state partners to improve social justice in Jamaica.ย The project aims to support the Government of Jamaica in increasing access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and strengthening the capacity of the justice system to implement gender-responsive social justice policies and programmes. It reflects and integrates the four pillars of social justice, which are equity, access, participation, and rights, and adopts a gender-responsive approach. It will provide the justice system with enhanced training and human resource development capacity and records and case management strategies required to sustain reforms.ย To achieve the defined programme goals, targets and effective delivery and quality services, a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) has been established comprising a Project Manager, Project Procurement Associate, Finance & Administrative Associate and Monitoring & Evaluation Associate.
Under the overall guidance of the Programme Specialist and direct supervision of the Project Manager for the Social Justice Project, the Project Associate will be responsible for ensuringย effective delivery of the Multi Country Officeโs (MCOโs) programme, with focus on the Social Justice Project by supporting programme implementation consistent with UNDP rules and regulations. The Project Associate will directly support Mediation Coordination in close collaboration with the Ministry of Justice for implementing activities and deliverables. She/he will work in close collaboration with the Project Management Unit (PMU), UNDPโs programme and operations team, other UN agencies, Government officials, multi and bi-lateral donors and civil society ensuring UNDPโs successful achievement of the outputs of the project.ย
Scope of Workย
Effective management of Mediation and Alternative Justice strategy and capacity building activities under the Social Justice Project, ensuring the achievement of the following results:
Coordinates the implementation of capacity building, sensitisation and public education activities to support the increased use of Mediation in Jamaica. Designs and implements strategies to promote the use of mediation among underserved groups, including persons with disabilities and rural and remote communities. Coordinates the implementation of MoJโs Mediation Strategy, including but not limited to implementing coordination and communication activities among key stakeholders (including mediators, referral organisations and the Courts), to facilitate the collaborative implementation of the Strategy. Supports the completion and implementation of the Mediation Act, as well as related regulations and policies. Coordinates the establishment of agreed governance, coordination and registration arrangements for mediation in Jamaica, as stipulated under the Mediation Act or in any other plans or programmes of the MoJ. Designs and implements activities to increase awareness of and promote the increased use of mediation at all levels, in keeping with MoJโs Mediation Strategy. Coordinates with the Gender Specialist to ensure gender considerations are mainstreamed into all activities.Effective implementation of monitoring and evaluation processes including responsibility for the following:
Provides support for the collection, analysis and presentation of information to support monitoring and reporting on Social Justice project results. Assists in the presentation of background information for formulation of project work plans, budgets and proposals on implementation arrangements.ย Assists with the implementation of programme quality assurance and oversight processes for project development, implementation and closure based on donor requirements with a focus on the Social Justice Project. Leads implementation of select capacity development and partnership building activities designed to achieve results under the Social Justice Project. Supports the management and monitoring of project risks identified and maintenance of project risk logs. Plans and coordinates events, including conferences, seminars, workshops, consultations, meetings, press briefings and other communications and outreach activities under the Social Justice Project. Ensures timely support of logistical services for assigned project activities. Supports the preparation of briefs and project and corporate reports, including donor reports. Ensures SO-JUST, MOJ and other branding and communications requirements are implemented in all project-related mediation events, reports, products and communications. Contributes to the implementation of the SO-JUST communication plan including professional, clear and timely communication with partners and stakeholder. Provides guidance to implementing partners, focusing on quality control, accuracy of reporting and guidance on the SO-JUST Performance Management Framework. Contributes to the synthesis and sharing of lessons learnt and best practices in the project. Supports the MCO in building the capacity of internal and external stakeholders in relevant programme areas.ย ย ย ย ยย
Effective implementation of high-quality support to Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
Signals any delays in national deliverables compared to the workplan to the UNDP Country Office and the Ministry of Justice.ย Leads project monitoring, reporting and evaluation, draft monthly and quarterly reports for review on mediation activities.ย Coordinates the development of workshop reports for all technical workshops.ย Liaise with relevant initiatives and programs in UNDP and other organizations in support of the execution of the project and similar initiatives.ย Develop with the collaboration of the rest of the team members, of at least one brief overview publication per year, press releases, and web and media products.Institutional Arrangement
The Project Associate โ Mediation Coordinator reports directly to the Project Manager SO-JUST Project.ย The incumbent will be co-located with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) working side by side with government staff. A dedicated technical advisor within the MoJ will be responsible for the overall day-to-day management of the incumbent on behalf of the UNDP.
Competenciesย
Coreย
Achieve Results:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously:ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination:ย LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Cross-Functional & Technical Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Results-based Management
Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools. ยProject ย
Management
Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. ยRiskย
Management
Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks. ย Partnerships Management Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies ย Monitoring & Evaluation Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.ย Business Development Human-centred Design Ability to develop solutions to problems by involving the human perspective in all steps of the problem-solving process ยKnowledge ย
Facilitation
Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally explanations. Partnership Management Strategic Engagement Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectivesMinimum Qualifications Min. Education requirements
University Degree in Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences or Law required. Min. years of relevant work experienceย At least 5 years of progressively responsible programme management and/or implementation experience is required at the national or international level, with a minimum of two years implementing, coordinating or monitoring activities in the justice sector.ย Requiredย skillsย Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages; and experience in handling web-based management systems. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section At least 2 years of relevant experience supporting project /programme management for an internationally funded project is an asset. At least 2 yearsโ experience working with ministries, national or local institutions in the justice sector is an asset. Required Language(s)ย Fluency in English (both written and oral). Knowledge of other official UN languages desirable.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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