[International Legal Jobs] Consultant on Discrimination in Accessing Legal Aid Services
- InternationalJOBS & APPRENTICESHIP
- November 14, 2022
- No Comment
- 966
Job Opening
| Consultant on Discrimination in Accessing Legal Aid Services | |
| Job Code Title: | |
| Department/ Office: | |
| United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime | |
| Duty Station: | |
| VIENNA | |
| Posting Period: | |
| 10 November 2022-22 November 2022 | |
| Job Opening number: | |
| 22–UNODC-194887-C-VIENNA | |
| Staffing Exercise ID: | |
| N/A |
| Work Location | |
| Home-based | |
| Expected duration | |
| 19 December 2022 – 31 March 2023 | |
| Duties and Responsibilities | |
| Equal access to justice for all – or the ability of people to seek and obtain a remedy through formal or informal institutions of justice in conformity with rule of law principles and human rights standards – is a key component of fair, humane, effective, inclusive, and efficient criminal justice, so that all individuals in society, including those in poor and marginalized groups, can equally enjoy their rights. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s approach to enhancing access to justice is based on an understanding that, to truly realize this objective, all those affected by crime must be able to seek redress: There is a need to fully safeguard the rights of alleged and sentenced offenders; to ensure their humane treatment during and after criminal proceedings; to enable people to make better use of the law and legal services, including legal aid services and restorative justice programmes, in the protection of their rights; and to protect and assist victims impacted by crime. UNODC has developed longstanding technical expertise and works with national authorities, academia, and civil society partners in countries around the world to strengthen the capacity of legal aid providers, justice professionals and law enforcement officials, as well as support the development of policy and other frameworks.
UNODC’s work on legal aid, specifically, is based on the United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems, adopted by the General Assembly in 2012 and developed under the auspices of UNODC. As the only international instrument dedicated exclusively to the right to legal aid, the UN Principles and Guidelines, drawn from international standards and recognized good practices, aim to provide guidance to States on the fundamental principles on which a legal aid system in criminal justice should be based, and declare the significance of the provision of legal aid to the protection of human rights. They made it an obligation for Member States to put in place accessible, effective, sustainable and credible legal aid systems. Legal aid includes “legal advice, assistance and representation […] that is provided at no cost for those without sufficient means or when the interests of justice so require”, as well as legal education, access to legal information and other services. In December 2022, UNODC celebrates the 10 year anniversary of the adoption of this instrument. The access to justice team in UNODC HQ implements assistance under HQ Global Programmes, and, in addition, UNODC Field Offices are implementing projects under the umbrella of country or regional programmes, either jointly or with the substantive advice of the HQ focal points. Proposed period: 19 December 2022 – 31 March 2023 Actual work time: 67 working days |
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| Qualifications/special skills | |
| An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law or criminology with adequate focus on international law, criminal law or criminal justice is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 10 years professional expertise and experience in criminal law and/or human rights, with extensive professional experience in the area of legal aid, or discrimination in the criminal justice system, or knowledge of the rights of racial and other minorities and challenges people are facing in accessing legal services is required. Work experience in conducting legal and social research and drafting of research reports is required. Excellent analytical and drafting skills are required. Work experience with an international organization in the areas of criminal justice reform and/or access to justice, including access to legal aid, is desirable. Knowledge of legal and social aspects of enhancing access to justice, including for victims of crime, is desirable. |
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| Languages | |
| English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English, with excellent drafting and communication skills, is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. | |
| Additional Information |
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