Uzbekistan: Legal Specialist, Judicial Sector Reform, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (Volunteer)

JOB SUMMARY

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative seeks a volunteer Legal Specialist to serve as primary technical expert for a program focused on bar association development and exchange of best practices between bar associations in the Central Asia region on advocacy to influence legislation and legal practice, ensuring individuals’ rights and due process in criminal proceedings, and cooperation with government counterparts. The Legal Specialist will engage in program management, implementation, and oversight; provide technical expertise and substantive input on activities; and serve as key liaison to build and maintain relationships with program implementation partners and stakeholders. The Legal Specialist would be posted in Tashkent, Uzbekistan for 16 months or more, with regular regional travel. This position is contingent on funding; initial volunteer posting is not salaried but living and travel expenses would be covered. Pending funding and performance, position could result in a longer-term paid position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Substantive Duties:

· Review and analyze national legislation with international perspective for compliance with international norms and standards;

· Develop and deliver training curricula on substantive legal topics for defense advocates on due process and international norms and standards;

· Organize and facilitate intra-regional networking across bar associations on best practices on advocacy, training, implementation of new legislation, and international norms and standards via study tours and innovative approaches;

· Identify and execute in coordination with in-country stakeholders and partners areas of interest that support justice sector and legal education reform efforts;

· Establish effective collaboration and relationships with local entities and other development partners to fulfill program objectives;

· Assist in identifying best practices derived from lessons learned;

· Performs other related duties as required.

Programmatic and Operational Duties

· Oversees and is accountable for the development and deployment of substantive programming and activities, including, but not limited to, project work plans and reports, and convening, organizing, and participating in training opportunities within the host country;

· Responsible for day-to-day management of assigned program and ensures that all programmatic requirements are being met/exceeded according to the ABA, ROLI, and grantor requirements;

· Maintains accountability for all timely, accurate, and compliant in-country programmatic monitoring and evaluation;

· Maintains proactive communications with regionally-based Country Director to ensure timely and accurate updates on program activities, achievements, and shortcomings. Creates and implements corrective plans to improve performance against appropriate standards in areas where program shortcomings are identified;

· Collaborates with relevant regional project staff and local authorities to ensure that all programs and operations are compliant with local laws and regulations and, if required, have received all regulatory licensing/registrations prior to offering the program;

· Supports compliance with all donor, ABA, federal, state, and local laws/regulations while managing the program(s). Ensures personal and program compliance with the FCPA;

· Performs other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

· JD or foreign equivalent and 7-10 years of relevant experience;

· Experience implementing international donor-supported programs;

· Fluency in English in order to meet the technical and managerial requirements of the program and donor requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Fluent Russian language skills preferred but not required;

· Previous experience training legal professionals a plus;

· Previous experience working for an association, NGO, or other non-profit entity;

· Previous experience related to the right to counsel, bar association management, or legislative advocacy;

· Experience managing and implementing US Government-funded international direct assistance and response programs;

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

· Ability to operate independently and be a self-starter.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@americanbar.org