Header

Prosecutor, Criminal Division, Attorney-General’s Chambers

4:13:00 PM

Reference: PG/GAM/085
Location: Banjul, The Gambia
Duration: 2 Years
Closing Date: 15 Apr 2011

Background

Over the past ten years, the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC) has provided intensive capacity building assistance to support and strengthen the judicial processes in The Gambia. Accordingly, several judges and prosecutors have been made available by the fund in the past, with a view to reducing case backlogs and improving structural efficiency and effectiveness within the courts of The Gambia. In the more recent past, the Commonwealth Secretariat has collaborated with the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) to further the aims of this project. Notwithstanding the significant reduction in the backlog of cases to date, considerable constraints still exist in relation to the number of judges and prosecutors effectively placed to manage and adjudicate outstanding cases.

In addition to the placement of two Prosecutors within the department of prosecution, an institutional capacity assessment is proposed to look specifically at its institutional capacity. This will help to ensure the sustainability of our intervention in the longer term. It is the expectation that the appointed prosecutors will implement the recommendations of the report through mentoring, guidance and institutional links created during the assessment.

Purpose of Project

The project aims to build on the CFTC previous and ongoing interventions to The Gambia Government, through the provision of support to the Judiciary. The primary goal of the project is to facilitate stronger and more responsive judicial processes in The Gambia.

Scope of Work

The expert will be based at the Attorney General’s Chambers in The Gambia for a period of two years and will closely work with the Director of Public Prosecution, Solicitor General and Legal Secretary and, other prosecutors. During this period the expert will undertake the following activities.

  • Criminal prosecutions on behalf of the State;
  • Advising government ministries, including the Director of Public Prosecution, Solicitor General and legal secretary, parastatals and public enterprises on criminal matters;
  • Building capacity aimed at improving the skills and knowledge of staff within the public prosecution department;
  • Improving the operational effectiveness of the department of public prosecution.

Project Outputs

  • Criminal prosecutions are conducted in a timely and efficient manner;
  • Timely, relevant and honest professional advice provided to government and stakeholders;
  • Strengthened capacity of the prosecutors in the Attorney General’s chambers;
  • Improved operational effectiveness of the public prosecution office – incorporating approved recommendations of the institutional assessment.

Transfer of Expertise

The Commonwealth Secretariat attaches particular importance to the transfer of expertise and knowledge to counterparts. It is the expectation that the expert will assume more of a mentorship and advisory role during the final year in post, when a national is expected to take up the substantive position. The assigned expert will work closely with the Director of Public Prosecution, Solicitor General and Prosecutors by providing professional support to the prosecution team and in particular to mentor the junior and less experienced prosecutors.

Implementation Arrangements

The expert will work closely with the commonwealth Secretariat Advisers in delivering this technical assistance.

Required Experience and Qualification

Essential:

  • The candidate should be qualified to practice as a barrister in a Commonwealth country, with a minimum of ten (10) years post call experience as a prosecutor.
  • Familiarity and considerable practical experience (a minimum of ten years post qualification experience) in criminal advocacy and litigation, and the practice of emerging transnational crimes,
  • Proven ability to construe and apply statues,
  • Experience in providing professional training and development.

Preferable:

  • A Masters degree in Law from a recognised institution with previous experience in providing technical assistance relating to prosecutions in developing/or transitional countries;
  • Thorough background in research, legal analysis and the provision of legal advice in complex matters;
  • Experience in case management systems;
  • Ability to write informed and concise reports;
  • Excellent communication skills;
  • Excellent command of the English language, both oral and written;

  • Computer Skills

Interested applicants who are nationals of Commonwealth member countries and who meet post criteria are invited to apply quoting project reference number and post title to the attention of Mr James Lek, Human Resources, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX. Fax: +44 (0) 207 747 6520. E-mail: j.lek@commonwealth.int. Application must be accompanied with a detailed CV including names and contact details of three referees. On receipt of applications, a summary of the terms and conditions of service together with the emoluments package will be provided to applicants.

Please also complete a Personal History Form (PHF) which is available for download together with the Skill Codes Booklet from the Commonwealth Secretariat website.

Those who have previously applied for the position need not re-apply.

Download the Job Description

Post a Comment