Trial Monitoring Specialist

Strengthening accountability and tackling corruption are essential pre-requisites for Iraq’s long-term stability, economic recovery, and development. Both Iraqi and regional Kurdish governments have recently initiated 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 rules of the justice sector;(3) Improved capacity and 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 Specialist 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 Specialist will be based in Baghdad.
 

• Ensure effective monitoring of 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, and enter, store and safeguard the data into the TM Information Management System. 
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of data through routine quality checks and control of the TM Database. 
• Coordinate data entry, classification and design enhancement with the UNAMI HRO data monitoring officer, in consultation with the programme supervisors. 
• Conduct regular data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and key performance indicators, for improvement of the TM Programme and activities. 
• 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. 
• Analysis and Reports of Trial Monitoring Data:
• Coordinate with  theTrial Monitoring Specialist in conducting the preliminary assessment of existing conditions of trial monitoring programme regarding grand corruption cases.
• Undertake first-hand analysis of courts’ proceedings, verdicts, casefiles, judicial orders and relevant legal texts and contribute to analysis of findings, preparation of presentation and writing of regular and annual reports internally and externally.
• Compile comprehensive reports summarizing the program’s progress, challenges, and achievements, and ensure that reports are accurate, well-organized, and tailored to the intended audience. 
• Prepare and submit regular reports on programme progress, outcomes, and impact. 
• Customize reports for different stakeholders, ensuring that information is presented in a clear and accessible manner. 
• Collaborate with other team members to gather input of Trial Monitoring Programme for comprehensive reports of the ACAI project. 
• Identify opportunities for process improvement in reporting activities and suggest enhancements to streamline reporting processes.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to internal and external stakeholders, facilitate informed decision-making, contribute to the overall success of the programme/project, support trial monitoring activities.
• Ensure effective Monitoring, Evaluation and Quality Assurance: 
• Facilitate in monitoring the implementation of the framework for the TM programme activities. 
• Conduct regular evaluations to assess the TM programme’s impact and effectiveness of TM programme activities. 
• Provide recommendations based on evaluation findings to improve TM programme outcomes. 
• Conduct quality checks on reports to ensure accuracy and consistency. 
• Seek feedback from TM programme and ACAI project to continuously improve the quality of reporting.
• Build strategic Stakeholder engagement:
• Liaise with and maintainstrong relationships with justice institutions 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.
• Facilitation of workshops andconferences: 
• Facilitate  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.
• Facilitate with the procurement, administrative and financial processes to ensure timely holding of workshops and conferences.
• General management support: 
• Ensures timelyimplementation of the project work plan. 
• Ensures timely and adequate reporting against plans, including timely and articulate progress reports.
• Manages day to day administrative mattersfor the projectwith coordination with administrative team.
• Support translation of legal documents such as verdicts, project documents, letters, and reports, and with interpretation during meetings with stakeholders.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Institutional Arrangement:

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

Core:

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact 

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems 

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands 

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

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

Access to Justice 

Legal

Legal analysis skills 

The ability to digest a large amount of information and facts in order to frame and understand an issue, apply the legal framework to the particular set of facts and present a coherent and comprehensive analysis of the situation presented in order to deliver practical and meaningful advice. This skill includes the ability to provide an objective assessment of the case, the organization’s best arguments for proceeding and a recommended course of action. It also includes the capacity to think creatively and flexibly, within the applicable legal framework. 

Digital Innovation
Data literacy 

Understand the potential as well as the limitations of using data driven innovation. 

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

Legal 
Legal writing skills

The ability to analyse 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 also includes the ability to convey legal analysis and recommendations to internal parties in written form, with a particular view towards communicating for the particular audience who may not be a lawyer or have legal background. 

2030 Agenda: Peace 
Governance
SDG 16

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 the above-mentioned fields of study, 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 5 years (with master’s degree) and 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in criminal law and procedures, judicial system, criminal justice, and rule of law.

Required skills

• Experience and sound knowledge of legal procedures and court processes.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills and ability to engage in substantive legal and technical discussions with public officials and other stakeholders.
• 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 seminars, workshops, or training is an asset.
• Expertise in anti-corruption issues, assets recovery and financial crimes is an asset.
• Experience in training government officials is an asset. 
• Experience with judiciary and justice system.
• Experience in working directly with UN agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring especially ability to remain impartial and objective 

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Professional Certificates

N/A