I. Profile of the Post
Project: Strengthening Institutional Capacity of the National Parliament in Timor-Leste
Title: Legal Advisor
Type of Contract : Contract with the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, with funding support under Letter of Agreement between the National Parliament and UNDP
Location: Timor-Leste (Dili)
Duration: 1 year (with possibility of extension)
Desirable Starting Date: March 2013
Project: Strengthening Institutional Capacity of the National Parliament in Timor-Leste
Title: Legal Advisor
Type of Contract : Contract with the National Parliament of Timor-Leste, with funding support under Letter of Agreement between the National Parliament and UNDP
Location: Timor-Leste (Dili)
Duration: 1 year (with possibility of extension)
Desirable Starting Date: March 2013
II. Organizational Context
Timor-Leste became independent in 2002. A democratic semi-presidential governance system based upon separation of powers and mutual cooperation of the institutions of state was developed. The National Parliament is the cornerstone of the democratic system and good governance. It is currently comprised of 65 members. It is headed by the President of the National Parliament. Four political parties have constituted their benches. Detailed parliamentary scrutiny of legislation and government actions is delegated to seven standing committees of multi-party composition. The parliamentarians are supported in their work by a Secretariat of 99 permanent staff, headed by a Secretary General. . The Secretariat is divided into three directorates and twelve divisions, which assume responsibility for the work in general. This organizational structure is still being established following the new 2008 Law on the Organization and Functioning of the Parliamentary Administration (LOFAP).
The National Parliament was established from scratch, after Independence Restoration, in May 2002, in a setting of largely inexperienced parliamentarians; an acute shortage of skilled personnel and significant language barriers. Systems and processes are in the early stages, in some cases, and non-existent in others. Achievements are not yet consolidated and many challenges can only be overcome with long-term assistance. UNDP has supported the growth of the legislature since 2003.
The UNDP assistance to the Parliament consists of two projects:
A. Multi-donor project, Strengthening Parliamentary Democracy in Timor-Leste. This is a continuation of the previous two projects (2003-2005 and 2006-2009) and has a new project document for the period 2010-2013.
B. European Union (EU) funded project, Strengthening Institutional Capacity of the National Parliament in Timor-Leste. This is a new parliamentary capacity development project for which a project document has been signed for the period 2011-2015.
B. European Union (EU) funded project, Strengthening Institutional Capacity of the National Parliament in Timor-Leste. This is a new parliamentary capacity development project for which a project document has been signed for the period 2011-2015.
The objectives of the latest multi-donor project (2010-2013) are: (1) to support the consolidation of parliamentary processes by continuing to provide technical expertise and advisory assistance; (2) to expand and integrate existing capacity building initiatives into a comprehensive capacity development strategy; (3) on the basis of this capacity-development strategy and in close coordination with National Parliament, to articulate and lay the groundwork for a capacity transfer and national ownership over the project.
The objective of the EU-funded project is to enhance the Parliament’s ability to fulfil its mandate in overseeing the Executive by (1) enhancing institutional capacity and expertise of staff, and (2) enhancing the knowledge of Members of Parliament.
Within the framework of the UNDP Parliament Project, the Legal Advisor position will fall under the EU-funded project. A Letter of Agreement between UNDP Timor-Leste and the National Parliament of Timor-Leste will support the position.
III. Functions/Key Results Expected
The Legal Advisor to the National Parliament will provide legal technical support and advice to the parliamentary committees and support the implementation of the project capacity development strategy. The Legal Advisor will work under the direction of the UNDP Project Manager and indirect supervision of the Secretary General of the National Parliament of Timor-Leste. When necessary, the Legal Advisor will also be expected to work collaboratively with other Legal Advisors and sector-specific Technical Specialists.
The Legal Advisor will perform the following functions:
Summary of Key Functions:
- Advise, mentor, assist and develop legal capacity of the National Parliament in exercising its legislative function.
- Advise, mentor, assist and develop legal expertise of the National Parliament exercising its oversight function.
- Support the implementation of the project capacity development strategy.
- Support the UNDP Parliament Project.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Advise, mentor, assist and develop legal capacity, knowledge and expertise of the National Parliament in exercising its legislative functions with a focus on the achievements of the following results:
• Provide advisory services to Parliamentary Committees in analyzing draft bills.
• Provide legal analytical and research support to the National Parliament.
• Provide legal and technical guidance to Parliamentary Committees in conducting public hearings and in following-up on the recommendations arising from them.
• Support Parliamentary Committees in drafting legal opinions and reports, as required.
• Support Parliamentary Committees in the preparation and implementation of their annual work plans.
• Advise the National Parliament on international best practice. - Advise, mentor, assist and develop legal capacity, knowledge and expertise of the National Parliament in exercising its oversight functions with a focus on the achievements of the following results:
• Provide legal support to all aspects related to Parliament’s oversight function, as required.
• Assist in analyzing Budget proposals, Budget execution reports and Audit reports.
• Assist Parliament in conducting Budget hearings and drafting budget reports.
• Assist in organizing Committee visits and overseas trainings.
• Provide legal research and analysis to support Parliament in assessing government performance. - Support the implementation of the project capacity development strategy.
• Assess systems and processes in the Parliamentary Support Directorate and make recommendations on areas of intervention.
• Assess capacity development needs of Committee support staff and make recommendations on required activities and learning needs.
• Engage with the Secretariat of the Parliament develop institutional systems and processes.
• Engage with the Secretariat of the Parliament to develop skills and knowledge, and attitudes and behaviours of Committee support staff.
• Develop and implement formal capacity development programmes.
• Provide regular on-the-job training and mentoring to Members of Parliament and support staff, as required.
• Provide regular mentoring and coaching to Secretariat staff as requested by the project.
• Provide continual assessment on progress. - Support the UNDP Parliament Project, with a focus on achievement of the following results:
• Prepare and submit regular reports to UNDP through the Project Manager of the Parliament Project including compliance with monitoring and evaluation requirements: adviser logs, quarterly reports, annual reports, and ad-hoc inputs to Project reports.
• Provide inputs to Project Work Plans relevant to his/her portfolio.
• Participate in Project Meetings/workshops: Monthly meetings, team meetings, mid-term review meetings, and annual review meetings.
• Undertake relevant tasks whenever required by the Project Manager.
IV. Impact of Results
• Legal capacities, skills and knowledge of MPs, Committees, and Secretariat staff strengthened through regular advisory support, on-the-job training and capacity development training programmes.
• Members of Parliament and technical staff enabled to effectively perform their legislative and oversight functions.
• Overall effectiveness of the Committees enhanced.
• Good situational awareness of the achievement of objectives through submission of regular progress reports to UNDP (Weekly Logs, Quarterly Reports, and Annual Reports).
• Members of Parliament and technical staff enabled to effectively perform their legislative and oversight functions.
• Overall effectiveness of the Committees enhanced.
• Good situational awareness of the achievement of objectives through submission of regular progress reports to UNDP (Weekly Logs, Quarterly Reports, and Annual Reports).
V. Competencies
- Corporate Competencies:
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the National Parliament’s values and ethical standards.
• Extensive knowledge and ability to work in the context of Timorese institutions.
• Compliance with national laws and Code of Conduct for the Advisers/Technical Specialist to the National Parliament of Timor-Leste.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism. - Functional Competencies:
• Legal advisory competence required, preferably in a parliamentary environment.
• Proven experience as an advisor to high level public officials.
• Solid knowledge of legal and parliamentary role and functions of civil law system.
• Strong negotiating and managerial skills to be able to work both independently and as a coordinator of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural and networking with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships, especially in Timor-Leste.
• Facilitation skills.
• Very good oral and communication skills. - Behavioural Competencies:
• Team player with effective interpersonal skills.
• Energetic, positive and constructive attitude.
VI. Recruitment Qualifications
Education
• Advanced degree in law (civil law) or related field or equivalent.
• Advanced degree in law (civil law) or related field or equivalent.
Experience
• Minimum eight years of experience at the senior level in supporting legislative processes.
• Experience in Public Finances an advantage.
• Parliamentary experience essential.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building, coaching, mentoring and staff development preferably in a developing country environment.
• Demonstrated experience in providing advisory services, research and analysis.
• Knowledge of the legal system of Timor-Leste desirable.
• Work experience in a government context desirable.
• Experience working in developing and post-conflict country environment highly desirable.
• Minimum eight years of experience at the senior level in supporting legislative processes.
• Experience in Public Finances an advantage.
• Parliamentary experience essential.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity building, coaching, mentoring and staff development preferably in a developing country environment.
• Demonstrated experience in providing advisory services, research and analysis.
• Knowledge of the legal system of Timor-Leste desirable.
• Work experience in a government context desirable.
• Experience working in developing and post-conflict country environment highly desirable.
Language Requirements
• Excellent command of written and spoken Portuguese is essential.
• A good standard of written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of Tetum or Bahasa Indonesia is an advantage.
• Successful completion of an intensive Tetum course within the first month of assignment is mandatory.
• Excellent command of written and spoken Portuguese is essential.
• A good standard of written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of Tetum or Bahasa Indonesia is an advantage.
• Successful completion of an intensive Tetum course within the first month of assignment is mandatory.
How to apply:
Please submit your application letter together with an up to date Curriculum Vitae to:
Liz Garrett
Operations Manager
Parliament Project
UNDP Timor-Leste
Operations Manager
Parliament Project
UNDP Timor-Leste
