vacancy- Judge Lecturer/ Court of Appeal acting Judge (Timor-Leste)

Dear All:

The Timor-Leste Court of Appeal together with the Legal Training Centre and the UNDP Justice System Programme are looking for a Portuguese speaking Judge Lecturer/Court of Appeal Acting Judge.

The deadline of Applications is the 25^th May 2011. Applications should be sent tocarla.vendinha@undp.org

Kindly find the terms of reference bellow – also available in Portuguese.

Thank you

JUDGE LECTURER (LTC) AND COURT OF APPEAL ACTING JUDGE

Host institution: The Legal Training Centre and Court of Appeal

Supporting Agency: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Initial appointment: One year

Location: Dili- Timor-Leste

Application Deadline: 25^th May 2011

Desirable Starting Date: July 2011

Background:

The Justice System Programme (JSP) in Timor-Leste is a comprehensive capacity development initiative for the judiciary, implemented by UNDP under the guidance of the national Council of Coordination (CoC) for the justice sector, which consists of the President of the Court of Appeal, Prosecutor-General and Minister of Justice. The programme provides support to the CoC and respective judiciary institutions, including the Courts, Prosecution, and the Ministry of Justice and its subsidiary institutions (Legal Training Center, Prison Service, Public Defender’s Office).

The programme supports the judiciary institutions to uphold the rights enshrined in the Constitution of RDTL and to consolidate the rule of law in Timor-Leste. The overall objective of the programme is to enhance the effectiveness, equitability and efficiency of the justice system, thereby increasing access to justice in Timor-Leste. It is a long-term programme, started in 2003 and revised in 2008 for a duration of 5 years, with financial and in-kind contributions coming from eight donor governments and organizations.

Aiming at strengthening the capacities of the Courts, the Prosecution Service, the Public Defender and the Ministry of Justice, the programme undertakes to improve institutional capacities (systems, processes, skills, ethics) through a sequence of support measures. The programme assists in the recruitment and management of international staff (international judges, prosecutors, public defenders, lecturers, IT personnel, etc.) performing line functions and/or advisory posts. International justice actors also required to provide formal and on-the-job training to national court actors, under the supervision of the Timorese oversight and inspection bodies and with the overall direction of the Justice System Programme.

I. Overall Duty:

The incumbent will work as a Trainer, an Adviser and a Judge. The incumbent will fulfill the functions as a Judge trainer in the Legal Training Centre (LTC) under the supervision f the LTC Director. He/she should also transfer skills and knowledge and assist in the introduction and consolidation of procedures, system process for the effective administration of justice.

The adviser will also act as a judge of the Court of Appeal providing capacity building and advising, as well as orientation and support to the national counterparts (judges) under the direct supervision of the Superior Council of the Judiciary, supported by the UNDP-Justice System Programme.

II. Description of lecturing duties:

Under the direct supervision of the LTC Director and the overall guidance of the Executive Board of the LTC, the incumbent performs the following functions as a Judge Lecturer:

· Ensures the design, development and implementation of curricula and summaries

· Design, develop, and consolidate curricula and summaries

· Conduct examinations and evaluations of students.

· Advise the Executive and Academic Boards of the LTC.

· Coordinate and mentor the national judges during the probationary phase.

· Train and advise National Judges (trainees).

· Ensures examinations and evaluations of students are conducted

· Ensure that graduated candidates have the required level of competency to assume judicial functions, according to the regulations set by the Executive Board and in compliance with the Law

· Ensures effective advisory services to the Executive and Academic boards of the LTC

· Ensures coordination and advisory of the national judges during the probationary phase

· Ensures training and advisory of national judge lecturers

III. Description of main duties:

As Judge of the Court of Appeal, the incumbent performs the following functions subject to the Magisterial Regulations of the Judiciary :

· Acts as Judge of the Court of Appeal (Court of last Resort in Timor-Leste) respecting the Laws and Constitution of Timor-Leste

· Under the guidance of the President of the Court of Appeal and whenever necessary, collaborates to solve judicial and organizational problems of the courts, such as establishing rules of procedure on questions which have not been established by law in accordance with advancements in international and Timorese Law.

· Provide on-the-job advising, training and/or mentoring to the court of Appeal national Judges and Court Clerks and provide technical assistance as required for the correct performance of their tasks;

· Provide legal opinions and assist the daily work of the Court of Appeal whenever requested by the President of the Court of Appeal;

· Assist the President of the Court of Appeal in the implementation of recommendations stemming from the Justice Sector Strategic Plan and the Independent Comprehensive Needs Assessment (ICNA) report.

· Perform other related duties as required for the effective functioning of the judicial system.

IV. Competencies

1. Requirements for systems and duties to be developed

· Sound working knowledge of, and experience in criminal and civil matters, labor, administration, constitutional and electoral issues;

· Knowledge of court jurisdiction, administration and management;

· Experience in training;

· Minimum 5 years experience at a Supreme Court level

· Extensive experience in teaching or training preferably on courses for magistrates and court staff;

· Ability to assist with organizational and judicial management if required;

· Ability to transfer knowledge and skills;

· Ability to work in a team and to communicate effectively with colleagues from all backgrounds;

· Working experience in a developing country and/or in conflict or post-conflict environments;

V. Other desirable qualifications and skills:

· Enthusiasm for personal commitment to increase skills and knowledge of national staff trough technical advice, mentoring or training;

· Transfer of experience in coordination of seminars or workshops, development of summaries or legal opinion;

· Knowledge of legal system in Timor-Leste

· Ability to create and maintain contact and cooperation with external interlocutors and to work under pressure

· Willingness to work flexible hours

· Relevant computer skills

· Ability to work without close supervision.

VI. Ethics

The Judge is expected to observe and comply with the Magisterial Regulations by:

· Developing his duties with honesty, impartiality and dignity;

· Comply with professional confidentially as defined by Law;

· Having a public and private deportment conforming to the status and respect given to the Office of Magistrates in Timor-Leste;

· Treating all justice sector professionals with respect;

· Being punctual and attend all scheduled services;

· Refrain from any commentary regarding pending cases or pending decisions, or refrain from any commentary regarding judgments about orders, opinions, votes or sentences of courts,except critics of cases in the exercise of the judiciary or in judicial and technical works;

· Refrain from advising or instructing the parties to any dispute under any pretext, except in cases expressly permitted by law.

VII. Languages:

· Native speaker proficiency in Portuguese is required.

· Working knowledge of English

· Proficiency in Tetum or willingness to learn it.

Application: Send CV and cover letter to carla.vendinha@undp.org

Deadline: 25^th May 2011

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Carla Vendinha Ferreira e Ferreira dos Santos

Adviser Liaison Officer

Justice System Programme

http://www.tl.undp.org/justice/

United Nations Development Programme

Timor-Leste