Background
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Strengthening accountability and tackling corruption are essential pre-requisites for Iraq's long-term stability, economic recovery, and development. Both Iraqi and regional Kurdishgovernments have recentlyinitiated steps to drive an ambitious anticorruption agenda. However, significant gaps remain in legislative and strategic framework, investigation and adjudication, enforcement and recovery of stolen assets. Funded by the EU, UNDP Iraq launched the “Support to Justice Initiatives Curbing Corruption and Promoting Commercial Dispute Resolution” Project (hereinafter, Anti-Corruption & Arbitration Initiatives (ACAI) in May 2021 to support public partners at federal and the Kurdistan Regional Government to improve their capacity and legal framework to combat corruption and conduct commercial litigation. The project works closely with the Prime Minister Office and supports directly the Commission of Integrity, the Higher Judicial Council and the Legal and Integrity Committees of the Council of Representatives, in addition to key civil society and investigative media organizations.

The project has the following specific outcomes: (1) Improved Legislative and Strategic Framework for Anti- Corruption Reforms; (2) The justice sector, lawyers and Commission of Integrity are better equipped to process corruption offences due to (2.1) improved technical skills relevant for corruption investigation, prosecution, adjudication and (2.2) improved integrity rulesof the justice sector; (3) Improved capacityand legal framework to conduct commercial litigation through (3.1) better legal framework and capacity building for arbitration and (3.2) further development of the commercial court;(4) Create a climate of support in Parliament for anti-corruption reforms; (5) Increased transparency and public accountability. 

The Trial Monitoring programme falls under outcome 2 and focuses on monitoring of grand corruption cases in Iraq, at the federal level as well as Kurdistan Region of Iraq.  His/her main task is to monitor criminal proceedings of high-level cases in the governorates and review casefiles of high-level corruption cases. The Trial Monitoring Analyat will be recruited by UNDP and seconded to UNAMI HRO to which she/he will report to, under the supervision of the Senior Trial Monitoring Specialist (Team Lead). The Trial Monitoring Analyst will be based in Basra and covering grand corruption cases in the Basra Governorate.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Trial Monitoring Analyst will implement the trial monitoring programme in Basra Governorate and undertake the following specific tasks:

1. Monitoring trials, investigative hearings, and Data collection: 

• Gather and verify information using a variety of tools including interviews with investigators, prosecutors, judges, lawyers, media reports, verdicts, warrants etc. and all that enable better case identification, selection and tracking in cases’ records.
• Attend all relevant investigation and trial hearings and document courtroom observations,
• Enter, store and safeguard the data into the TM Information Management System. 
• Ensure compliance with trial monitoring guidelines and methodology and the strict adherence to code of conduct and principles of integrity of the trial monitoring programme.

2. Analysis, Assessment and Reports: 

• Support the Trial Monitoring Specialist in conducting the preliminary assessment existing conditions of trial monitoring programme regarding grand corruption cases in the governorate,
• Undertake first-hand analysis of courts’ proceedings, verdicts, casefiles, judicial orders and relevant legal texts,
• Contribute to analysis of findings, preparation of presentation and writing of regular and annual reports internally and externally.

3. Stakeholder engagement:

• Liaise with and maintain strong relationships with justice institutions, notably the judiciary to ensure their cooperation, buy-in, access, and support for the implementation of the trial monitoring activities.
• Build trust, communicate and work closely with all the stakeholders of the trial monitoring programme;
• Enlist the cooperation of non-governmental entities such as bar associations, legal representatives’ union and CSOs,
• Identify the appropriate levels of interaction with stakeholders and advise the project management on sustaining dialogue and cooperation with them.

4. Facilitation of workshops and conferences: 

• Support the organization of workshops, conferences and public events including logistics, design, clerical support, and translation. 
• Contribute to identify the participants, speakers, presenters, and moderators and support with taking the minutes during the workshops, documenting for communication, M&E and reporting purposes.
• Support with the procurement, administrative and financial processes to ensure timely holding of workshops and conferences. 

5. General management support: 

• Ensures timely implementation of the project work plan. 
• Ensures timely and adequate reporting against plans, including timely and articulate progress reports.
• Manages day to day administrative matters for the project with coordination with administrative team.
• Support translation of legal documents such as verdicts, project documents, letters, and reports, and with interpretation during meetings with stakeholders.

Institutional Arrangement

The Trial Monitoring Analyst shall report directly to the Trial Monitoring Specialist – Team Lead.
 

Competencies:

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

People Management: N/A

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Direction & Strategy System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
2030 Agenda: Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights Development of Institutions in Justice Sector, as prerequisite to effective institutions, peace and stability, and integral to the overarching principles guiding sustainable development.
Legal

Legal analysis

Ability to digest a large amount of information to understand and frame issues; proficient in assimilating extensive information to analyze and interpret complex issues, applying legal frameworks to specific facts. Delivers practical and meaningful advice through coherent and comprehensive analyses. Demonstrates creative and flexible thinking within legal parameter.

Digital Innovation Data literacy 

Ability to use a mix of data sources (quantitative and qualitative techniques) to develop understanding, identify patterns to inform decision making or identify opportunities for further exploration.

Legal  Legal writing skills

Ability to analyze fact patterns and present argumentation in written form. This includes the ability to draft memoranda, legal briefs and other submissions to external parties, in both an advocacy and objective format, and legal opinions. It includes the ability as well to convey in writing legal analysis and recommendations to internal parties, with a particular view towards communicating for non-lawyers.

2030 Agenda: Peace  Governance

SDG 16- access to justice for all, build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels, in a transparent manner, and establish anti-corruption as global imperative. 

Required Skills and Experience:

Min. Education

requirements

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in law, or related field is required, or

A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of  work experience

Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) and 4 years (with bachelor’s degree)  of relevant experience in criminal law and procedures, judicial system, criminal justice and rule of law.

Required skills

• High knowledge/experience of legal procedures and court processes,
• Strong communication skills and ability/experience to engage in substantive legal and technical discussions with public officials and other stakeholders.
• Monitoring skills/experience, especially ability to remain impartial and objective is a plus.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP."

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Experience in developing or implementing anti-corruption strategies or projects or participating in related seminar, workshops or training.
• Expertise in anti-corruption issues or financial crimes.
• Experience in training of government officials is an asset.
• Experience with judiciary and justice system is an advantage.
• Experience in working directly with UN agencies as an advantage.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in Arabic and English is required.

Professional Certificates

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Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.  
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status. 

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