Legal Programme Officer - Legal And Constitutional Affairs Division

Reference: 130300449
Location: London, UK | Salary: £ 33,924 per annum gross
Duration: 6 Months
Closing Date: 2 Apr 2013

Job Summary

The legal programme officer will undertake a range of work relating to mandates of the Criminal Law Section and assist in related tasks and programmes. This includes general office administration and any other relevant duty or responsibility assigned by the Head of the Section.

The post holder will undertake and assist in:

The preparation/organisation of wide ranging work relating to the various programs/meetings/workshops/conferences within all areas of the Sections mandate and subsequently writing up the reports.
General office administration, including making logistical arrangements in relation to programmes, assisting with the preparation and updating of budgets and keeping running expenses, drafting, co-ordination and compilation of documents, writing project and expert group reports, and taking detailed notes at meetings and conferences.
The development of on line legal resources and in particular the Criminal Law Resource Webpage and the Commonwealth Network of Contact Persons (CNCP) on the Secretariat’s special website.
Undertaking research and preparing papers for conferences and detailed reports, including papers to be submitted to Commonwealth Law Ministers, with analysis on a variety of legal issues to the Head of Section in a timely manner.
The preparation of programmatic activities, including but not limited to the preparation of , meeting packs and materials and post-meeting and activities follow - up (including formulation of outcome documents and action plans, co-ordination of programmes of training and technical assistance);
Undertaking research as necessary in advance of the meetings to ensure that the proceedings fully develop each of the main themes; To provide a briefing on relevant themes and issues to each moderator/speaker/facilitator in order that discussion can be fully generated and developed during the course of each session.
Preparation and co-ordination of work associated with the relevant mandates and Commonwealth Schemes, including but not limited to conducting surveys, collating and analysing results, liaising with internal and external stakeholders as directed.
Pre and post-activity/workshops/programme research on a range of issues relating to the Criminal Law Section with a view to informing training and technical assistance;
Keeping a note of proceedings with a view to identifying technical assistance and training needs of States; and
Writing and compiling the post-activity report.
Any other task or responsibility assigned by Head of Section.

Qualifications and Work Experience

Law Degree
Desirable: Masters Degree in law or/and degree in social sciences or IT.
Experience in the development, preparation, organisation and co-ordination of programmes.
Good knowledge and IT skills, conducting research and preparing reports on legal issues.
Experience in drafting legal documents and project related documents and an understanding of development issues.
Desirable: Experience working with international organisations.

About the Legal And Constitutional Affairs Division

The Criminal Law Section of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division (LCAD) focuses on design and delivery of programmes of assistance to member countries of the Commonwealth, to enhance good governance and the rule of law and develop national institutions which effectively support the administration and delivery of justice. This includes assistance to effectively implement laws and programmes to combat all forms of criminality, in particular transnational organised crime, corruption, economic and financial crime, terrorism and international crime. Programmes are developed with national, regional and international agencies to build capacity within justice systems, to facilitate the rule of law, promote international co-operation between states to combat international crime and assist states to implement international obligations and standards in domestic law. The Section also assists with the strengthening of enforcement, prosecution and adjudication systems of member countries to ensure an effective regime for delivery of justice. Members of the Section perform a range of representational and information dissemination functions and organise training courses, conferences and workshops in different parts of the Commonwealth.

The Criminal Law Section provides relevant in-house legal advice. It contributes to the planning and servicing of Commonwealth meetings of Law Ministers and Attorneys General and Senior Officials and undertakes specific work directed by them, based on requests from member countries.