Millennium Partners is seeking candidates for the Moldova Rule of Law Institutional Strengthening Program (ROLISP) funded by USAID. This four year program is a direct follow-on to the work Millennium Partners has done under the Millennium Challenge Corporation funded and USAID managed Threshold Country Program (2007-2009) and the current Moldova Rapid Governance Support Program (2010-2011).
The new Moldova ROLISP is a four-year program that has been designed to support three inter-related components to support rule of law through greater accountability, transparency and good governance. The three components and objectives of ROLISP are as follows:
Objective 1: Enhance the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of the Moldovan judiciary through strengthening the capacity of the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) and the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) Under this objective, Millennium Partners will support the development of the capacity of the SCM and DJA to effectively oversee the work of the courts and help the SCM become the main policy-making authority for the judiciary. Program support will introduce modern principles and practices of court administration, including the use of performance audits to ensure the effective and transparent work of the judiciary; improve capacity to make appointments, execute disciplinary action, and complete the transition from paper to a fully automated judicial system, enabling the improvement of case-flow management practices in all the courts in Moldova and assisting with the development of performance based monitoring and budgeting of the judiciary. This effort will bring together improved systems, modern technology, and competent human resources.
Judicial administration will improve through streamlining SCM and DJA business processes. In the long term, the Program will contribute to SCM becoming the responsible institution for ICMS system implementation and drive the process of change in the courts. A mixture of capacity building and technical assistance will be provided to the courts in the regions in support of this objective. Activities will also build key competencies of DJA staff so that they can provide administrative support to the SCM.
Objective 2: Support the development of a professional judicial and prosecutorial cadre in Moldova by strengthening the institutional and operational capacity of the NIJ. The creation of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) represents a seminal advance in Moldova‘s effort to ensure that its judges and prosecutors are satisfactorily educated and trained. It ultimately should ensure that both judges and prosecutors have the educational background to become partners in guaranteeing the human rights of all parties. In order to support the advancement of this objective, activities will be focused on supporting the NIJ in the development of a modern, comprehensive curriculum for training judges and aspiring judges and building the NIJ‘s technical and institutional capacity so that it can play this critical role within the judicial sector.
Objective 3: Increase the capacity of civil society organizations to monitor and advocate for justice sector reform and improve public legal awareness. Activities under this objective will support the development of existing legal advocacy groups focused on the areas described under Objective 1, ensuring that activities are integrated across Objectives 1 and 3. NGOs need to assume a more proactive role in monitoring and advocating for justice sector reform. The tools now available to the public because of the automation efforts will enable NGOs to have a better grasp of the situation in the courts, and the types of changes that need to take place in the judiciary to make it more accountable, transparent and fair. Activities will also focus on the average citizen and his rights, as well as the tools available to better protect these rights and to hold the judiciary accountable to the law. Experts will support integrating new media and social networking technologies into the overall implementation approach under this Objective. The component will also build synergies with the CSOs participating in the e-government and open government initiatives in Moldova.
Millennium Partners is seeking US expatriate, third country (non-US or Moldovan) and Moldovan candidates for the following positions:
Chief of Party
The minimum qualifications of the COP candidates are as follows:
· At least 12-15 years of demonstrated experience in the successful implementation of international development activities, that includes a minimum of 10 years in judicial reform or other areas relevant to ROLISP.
· A degree in law or a graduate degree in court administration or other subjects related to ROLISP
· A demonstrated track record of progressively responsible managerial experience managing a complex portfolio that includes judicial reform activities;
· Previous experience as a COP/Deputy COP for large and complex justice sector reform/court administration development projects and/or promoting progress in institutional reform
· Recognized ability to establish strong working relationships with officials at all relevant levels of host country governments, and at international institutions/other donors.
· Other desired qualifications include: prior experience in CIS, and/or other Eastern Europe/Former Soviet Union countries; a proven ability to work collaboratively with USAID, MCC and/or other donors; and familiarity with the political and economic dynamics in which this project will be implemented.
· The candidate must be a native English speaker. Strong Romanian or Russian language skills are preferred.
Short Term Experts
Court Performance Experts: These experts will work with SCM and DJA to introduce modern principles and practices of court administration, to improve system wide management by MOJ and SCM and ensure that all courts are meeting performance targets and that resources are effectively deployed among courts. Millennium Partners experts will expose the SCM and DJA to international practices in court administration through organizing study tours and/or bringing relevant expertise from CIS, and/or other Eastern European countries. Candidates with 10 plus years of experience in the area of court administration management, organization and strategic planning are sought. Those with experience working in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Romania and Moldova are preferred as well as those who can speak Romanian or Russian.
Court Administration Budgeting, Capital Improvement and Planning Experts: These experts will assist SCM in developing the capacity to manage the judiciary‘s financial resources and fulfill its procurement oversight, financial reporting and audit functions. Training will be provided to SCM staff on financial management, auditing, procurement and reporting. Support the expansion of court administration capacity within the DJA through the creation of appropriate administrative structures responsible for procurement, capital improvements, human resources and statistical analysis, enabling the DJA to provide administrative support to the SCM. Candidates with 10 plus years of experience in the area of court administration management, organization and strategic planning are sought. Those with experience working in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Romania and Moldova are preferred as well as those who can speak Romanian or Russian.
Court Administration Management, Organization and Strategic Planning Experts: These experts will help evelop strategic management capacity within the NIJ. Activities shall be designed to provide the NIJ with needed assistance to develop a strategic plan in line with their mission and vision, as well as its overall goals and objectives. This should also include the development of implementation plans elaborating the steps needed to implement the strategy and providing the timeframe for such implementation. Work with the SCM and DJA to create the management processes necessary to improve and maintain court system infrastructure, including both real property and information technology assets, including the development and reinforcement of regulations necessary to ensure the proper usage and maintenance of IT systems and assets, including ICMS and court audio recording systems. Candidates with 10 plus years of experience in the area of court administration management, organization and strategic planning are sought. Those with experience working in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Romania and Moldova are preferred as well as those who can speak Romanian or Russian.
Judicial/Magistrates School Administration Experts: These experts will develop strategic management capacity within the NIJ. Activities shall be designed to provide the NIJ with needed assistance to develop a strategic plan in line with their mission and vision, as well as its overall goals and objectives. This should also include the development of implementation plans elaborating the steps needed to implement the strategy and providing the timeframe for such implementation. Improve the organizational structure of the NIJ. Activities will include defining the organizational structure and the staffing needs of the NIJ. Work with NIJ to develop transparent recruitment procedures for NIJ staff and experts. Candidates should possess 10 plus years of experience in the area of judicial/magistrates school administration and strategic planning. Experience working in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Romania and Moldova are preferred as well as fluency in Romanian or Russian.
Judicial/Magistrates School Curriculum Development Experts: The NIJ is confronted with the challenge on how to effectively deliver the 40-hour mandatory requirement of continuous legal education courses for judges and prosecutors. There are several factors that contribute to this challenge. The impediments include the lack of curriculum development and training materials, absence of a full-time faculty and curriculum specialists and the ad hoc nature of the training. Assist the NIJ in the development of a needs-based, modern, comprehensive curriculum for the continuous legal education program for judges. Experts will support the NIJ to identify the areas of greatest need for training the judicial cadre, and support the NIJ with curriculum organization and course structure. Experts will provide assistance to develop appropriate teaching tools and interactive teaching resources and methods including the use of case studies, small group discussions, individual and joint presentations, individual and joint preparation of papers on assigned topics, panels responding to issues raised by participants, and videos with workbooks to raise discussion issues. Experts will support the NIJ in building a system for the continuing education of judges in the regions, using regional training platforms, the development of online curricula and other methods which will facilitate and encourage judges’ participation in mandatory continuous legal education trainings. Integrate anti-trafficking curricula into NIJ training as part of the mandatory continuous legal education program for judges. Candidates should possess 10 plus years of experience in the area of judicial/magistrates school curriculum development. Experience working in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Romania and Moldova are preferred as well as fluency in Romanian or Russian.
Judicial/Magistrates School Training Experts: Work with the NIJ to improve the training program and curricula for aspirant judges, court staff and prosecutors. Experts will support NIJ in developing a system to enable the consistent evaluation of its programs required to achieve the high program quality necessary to effectively transfer information and attract judicial personnel to attend its educational programs. Careful evaluation of programs by participants, supervising judges/court managers and court users should take place. Support NIJ in improving the curriculum, methodology, resources based on the information acquired through evaluations. Candidates should possess 10 plus years of experience in the area of judicial/magistrates training development. Experience working in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Romania and Moldova are preferred as well as fluency in Romanian or Russian.
Civil Society Development Experts: Experts will support the development of existing legal advocacy groups focused on the areas described under Objective 1, ensuring that activities are integrated across Objectives 1 and 3. NGOs need to assume a more proactive role in monitoring and advocating for justice sector reform. Experts will shall provide demand-driven technical training for partner organizations on specialized topics including drafting of policy papers, and legislative drafting as well as help strengthen the legal advocacy groups focused on the areas described under Objective 1. Candidates should possess 8 plus years of experience in the area of civil society development. Experience working in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Romania and Moldova are preferred as well as fluency in Romanian or Russian.
Human Trafficking Experts: Experts in human trafficking and development of civil society organizations to monitor and increase public awareness of human trafficking are needed. Candidates should possess 8 plus years of experience in the area of human trafficking. Experience working in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Romania and Moldova are preferred as well as fluency in Romanian or Russian.
Please submit c.v., cover letter and three references (name title, organizational telephone and e-mail) and signed USAID bio data form (please see: ) no later than September 16th and a completed USAID bio data form 1420-17 (see www.usaid.gov/forms ) to Brian Hannon, Partner, Millennium Partners.
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