International Training Advisor, Afghanistan Justice Training Transition Program (JTTP)

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

The Afghanistan Justice Training Transition Program (JTTP) is a 30-month, U.S. Government funded, multi-million dollar program. It began in January 2013, with an official launch in March 2013 in partnership with the Afghan Government, including the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption (HOOAC), the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), the Ministry of Interior (MOI), the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), and the Supreme Court (SC). It is designed to build the capacity of Afghan criminal justice sector professionals through training and mentoring, while at the same time incorporating a sustainability element that provides for transitioning responsibility for professional development training to in house training departments within the relevant Afghan ministries.

The Program currently operates through Kabul and six provincial offices – Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamyan, Kunduz, Herat and Nangarhar. A Mobile Training Team is also able to reach more remote areas and has been able to deliver trainings in previously difficult to access environments such as Helmand and Kandahar.

From January 2013 to March 2014, 3,567 justice professionals were trained within the JTTP, including 571 women, comprising 16% of participants, on a wide variety of legal education topics, including trial advocacy, criminal procedure, critical thinking, gender justice, and anti-corruption. JTTP likewise implemented a Training of Trainers (TOT) program to facilitate training of National Legal Advisors and Afghan ministry officials, allowing for the successful transition from international training personnel to primarily Afghan led trainings.

During the first quarter of 2014, the Program achieved its internal shift and significantly increased the training and management responsibility of Afghan colleagues. All JTTP provincial Teams in fact are currently being led by a National Legal Adviser (Team Leader) and all trainings are delivered by Afghan IDLO personnel or ministry officials. The Program is presently at a key juncture, working to lay the foundation of a successful transition of training to Afghan ministries. Implementation of this phase of the program will require robust engagement and close coordination with a number of stakeholders, including the HOOAC, MOJ, MOI, AGO and SC, other justice sector reform implementers and donor representatives. To this end, a limited number of International Training Advisors remain available to support the JTTP provincial Teams, mostly on the transition phase of the program.

THE POSITION

Under the supervision of the Head of Training (HoT), the International Training Advisor (ITA) will be responsible for the oversight of the organization and delivery of criminal justice training for judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers and investigators, as well as for follow-on coaching of training participants.

The International Training Advisor will have proven track records in capacity building, mentoring/coaching and training, including but not limited to conducting training needs assessments, training evaluation, reporting, and supporting training teams remotely when necessary. She/he will need to bring enthusiasm, a dependable attitude, the ability to mentor staff when required, and have the flexibility to participate in a wide variety of tasks. Sensitivity to political, cultural and religious issues surrounding Afghanistan is essential to the success of this position.

As the Program is being implemented across different provinces, the International Training Advisor will have a key role in effectively coordinating the information flow between Kabul and the provinces, both internally to IDLO and across IDLO programs but most importantly in making sure the engagement of the stakeholders to the transition process – the majority of which are Kabul-based – influence the relevant provincial counterparts and that those are fully involved and informed.

The International Training Advisors will have the knowledge and strong interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a multi–cultural team and foster relationships based on mutual respect and trust.

The position will be based in Kabul and require frequent travels to the Provinces where IDLO operates.

Main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Assist in transitioning the justice capacity building program to the Afghan justice institutions in relation to the areas of responsibility, including through continual engagement with ministry officials, donors, and other implementers;
• Provide technical support and supervision to ensure the assigned teams are able to effectively apply IDLO training methodology and relevant guidelines;
• Assist the assigned provincial teams to: select officials and/or trainers of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA) according to the agreed selection criteria; conduct an assessment of the selected GIRoA officials; develop a capacity building program inclusive of a training outline, type of training, objectives, and expected results; deliver the training; and conduct a performance appraisal of the participants;
• Assist the assigned provincial teams in improving the quality of the training delivery and training materials;
• Provide administrative assistance to the assigned provincial teams, to ensure the smooth running of day-to-day operations, inclusive but not limited to administration, procurement, human resources, logistics, and finance and ensure accurate records are kept and shared appropriately; conduct spot checks as deemed necessary;
• Ensure the Team Leaders (TL) of the assigned teams are able to implement the agreed workplan in an effective and timely manner; support the TLs in case of deviations needed;
• Support the selected teams in delivering mentoring activities according to the agreed criteria;
• Support the selected teams in submitting weekly reports and provide inputs as requested for the submission of reports;
• Assist Team Leaders to conduct quarterly performance appraisal for his/her personnel;
• Meet with external stakeholders in the justice sector on provincial level to communicate and implement IDLO’s transition of the capacity building program to the Afghan justice institutions;
• Submit progress monthly reports to the Head of Training for the assigned teams, inclusive but not limited to progress against objectives;
• Frequently undertake monitoring missions to the relevant province;
• Ensure regular and constant coordination with the Head of Training, the Curriculum Development Team and the Chief of Party; and
• Perform other activities and tasks as necessary to supplement capacity building for JTTP personnel and GIRoA’s trainers, and any other relevant tasks that may be assigned by the Head of Training.

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education

• Degree in Law, preferably at postgraduate level or Juris Doctor (JD).

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience.
• Minimum five years of experience in capacity building and training, preferably in post-conflict development programs and legal reform in developing countries;
• Experience in successfully handing over development projects to local counterparts in a sustainable manner is a plus;
• Good understanding of the Rule of Law;
• Good understanding of Islamic principles and experience in working in an Islamic context;
• Excellent team building skills and group facilitation skills, communications, information sharing and cultural sensitivity;
• Proven experience in working and dealing with Government Departments, Ministries and high-level officials;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Experience working in Afghanistan is an advantage as is previous experience in US-funded programs or projects.

Language

• Strong professional oral and writing skills in English. Knowledge and understanding of local languages such as Dari and Pashto are a distinct advantage.

Technical competencies

• Excellent analytical, critical reasoning and problem solving skills;
• Proven ability to develop and foster working relationships across a globally based organization;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use computer and Microsoft office programs and other electronic sources in research activities.

Behavioural competencies

• Good team player, positive attitude, flexible mind, comfortable in working in multi-cultural settings;
• Openness to change and ability to work in transitional and complex organizational situations;
• Willingness to work and live in a post-conflict environment, adhere to IDLO’s security policies and regulations at all times; Keen sense of ethics, integrity and commitment to IDLO's mandate.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

IDLO offers international consultants based in Afghanistan a competitive remuneration and benefits package in terms of salary, medical and accident insurance, post-conflict insurance, annual leave, sick-leave, home-leave as well as rest and recuperation leave (R&R).

The Program runs a five-day working week from Sunday to Thursday. Accommodation, cleaning, laundry and meals are provided in a pleasant, secure guesthouse with a small gym, good internet connections and an excellent chef in residence. Rigorous security is in place at all times. This is a non-family duty station.

DISCLAIMER AND CLOSING DATE

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the consultant assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Application deadline is 15 June 2014.

How to apply:

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply via ourwebsite www.idlo.org/jobs and submit the completed IDLO Personal History Form (PHF), resume and cover letter.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

Application deadline is 15 June 2014.