Background UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Turkey’s efforts to improve access to justice for all have been given impetus since 2000 and providing better functioning legal aid system has been seen an important means for attaining that goal. Looking at all national level plans and programs, it is all visible that more systematic, accessible, well-known and institutionalized legal aid system which also gives priority to create responsive systems to disadvantaged groups is given special importance. In parallel to this framework, lawyers and Bar Associations have been dedicated to the provision of legal aid services and better assistance for disadvantaged groups. Further Ministry of Justice took important steps via its Department of Victims’ Rights. However, despite the initiatives for improvement of the legal aid services in Turkey, it is addressed by both EU Progress Reports, as well as international and national analysis that legal aid system in Turkey needs to be further supported and improved in terms of its procedures, quality and impacts on citizens together with the coordination among all actors involved and further improvement of quality of legal-aid services provided by lawyers.
By considering all these circumstances and based on the achievements and results of the “Support to the Improvement of Legal Aid Practices for Access to Justice for All in Turkey Phase I”, this Project aims to develop more coordinated, qualified and systematic approach into legal aid practices in Turkey and build awareness on the operationalization of performance management tools and mechanisms to enhance the efforts to ease access to justice. This will be achieved through developing mechanisms towards gaps for better coordination and improving networks among legal aid service providers (Union of Turkish Bar Associations, Bar Associations and lawyers), women NGOs and civil society, as well as increased capacity of lawyers through an online training. With the aim to develop a systematic and structured approach, the Project will implement pilot practices for specialized legal aid services towards gender-based violence victims. The Project will also address the implementation of the policy recommendations for improved legal aid services generated in Phase I and will further support the institutional needs of Bar Associations through the dissemination of performance criteria and evaluation mechanisms that are introduced to ensure an effective, coordinated and monitored legal aid system in Turkey. The Legal Aid Project Second Phase focuses on institutional and individual level capacity enhancement activities for Union of Bar Associations of Turkey, Local Bar Associations and lawyers practicing legal aid as well as enhanced cooperation and coordination with NGOs and civil society organizations. Recalling from the experiences and findings of Phase I, Phase II of the Project will implement pilot practices for specialized legal aid services towards gender-based violence victims, especially women. Through the evaluation of Poppy Project practices and development of a more consolidated and structured system of legal aid provision, more citizens will have access to legal aid services. The project aims to achieve the following results for enhancing the efficiency of the legal aid system in Turkey:
Result I: COORDINATION
Output: Enhanced coordination between women NGOs, civil society organizations, public bodies, lawyers and bar associations to improve the legal aid system in Turkey.
Result II: SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT
Output: Development of a systematic and structured approach for legal aid services via implementing and further improving best practices in pilot Bar Associations: Poppy Project Practices
Result III: CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
Output: Enhanced capacities of lawyers practicing legal aid through a tailor-made training programme
Result IV: AWARENESS RAISING
Output: Awareness rising among bar associations in Turkey on the performance criteria and evaluation mechanism for legal aid services and automation system for appointment of CCP lawyers
With a view to implement the project activities in an effective and efficient way and achieve the expected results of the Project, a Project Team has been established within the scope of the Project. The Project Manager will lead the Project Team for smooth implementation of the Project. The Project Manager will be serving on a full-time basis during the project period.
The Project Manager will mainly manage Legal Aid Project Phase II and upon its completion s/he will be considered for similar positions in the field of Access to Justice and Rule of Law. The overall objective of UNDP’s work in Inclusive and Democratic Governance (IDG) aims to contribute to strengthening governance processes and institutions that are responsive to citizens demands and universal norms. The IDG Portfolio focuses on the fields of rule of law and human rights, responsive and accountable institutions. It addresses structural issues pertaining to the rule of law, access to justice and human rights including with respect to gender, participation and accountability. There are specific project formulations at IDG in field of Access to Justice and Rule of Law including business and human rights, climate justice, access to justice for disabled and elderly, improving women’s rights and conditions in women’s prisons in line with international and EU standards etc. Therefore, the Project Manager can take managerial role for similar projects in the field of Access to Justice and Rule of Law. Duties and Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the IDG Portfolio Manager, the Projects Manager will coordinate administrative, operational and financial aspects of the Project with a view to ensure full compliance with the terms and conditions of respective agreements signed with Sida and the Partners. The Projects Manager will also be responsible for organizing and facilitating the work of the Project Team and managing technical and support staff of the Project, with a view to ensure that the Project Team and consultants are provided with timely and high quality operational and managerial support. S/he is also expected to contribute to establishment and maintenance of inter-institutional networks and development of Portfolio and Project-based knowledge building/management tools. The Projects Manager will be responsible for implementing project activities in a timely manner according to the Annual Work Plans and UNDP´s program procedures and delivering high-quality outputs in a variety of project implementation processes. The Projects Manager will work in close collaboration with the Project Team, in cooperation with the Access to Justice and Human Rights Specialist and under the overall guidance of the IDG Portfolio Manager to coordinate activities and seek synergies. S/he will be responsible for the coherent operation of the Project Team. Apart from these, the Projects Manager will also work in close cooperation and collaboration with the Pilot Bars, Union of Turkish Bar Associations (UTBA), Center of EU and International Relations and Ministry of Justice, Department of Judicial Support and Victims Services.
In line with the above-mentioned focus, the Project Manager will undertake, including but not limited to the following tasks:
Managing administrative, operational and financial aspects of the Project, with a view to ensure full compliance with the terms and conditions of respective agreements signed with Sida and the Partners (45%)
Managing the implementation of the project activities in line with UNDP Program and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) based on Annual Work Plan, including cost effective financial management and budget execution; and through providing advice, guidance and technical inputs for the implementation of the activities and components. Managing contractual relations with Sida and ensure timely implementation of activities and monitor project progress towards project results by maintaining a hands-on overall knowledge of, and personal involvement with, all project activities. Undertaking the overall responsibility for development of progress reports of the Project by ensuring timely and quality donor and internal reporting. Ensuring that all reporting will be conducted in line with the requirements of Sida. Ensuring the strategic direction of the Project vis-à-vis national development priorities and UNDP commitments. Ensuring the steps identified within UNDP Turkey Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) for project management are strictly followed. Maintaining efficient and effective implementation of the Agreements between UNDP and the contracting authorities and other signatories (such as governmental bodies, etc.). Developing Annual Work Plans (AWPs) and producing Project Progress Reports, in consultation with the respective personnel. Ensuring sound financial management through managing the budget of the Project with the assistance of the related support staff of the Project and/or the UNDP staff designated for financial/administrative issues. Supporting and coordinating at project level preparation of Request for Direct Payment (RDP) documents and/or Responsible Party Agreement (RPA) documents. Ensuring management of procurement related procedures with the assistance of the related support staff of the Project and/or the UNDP staff designated for the procurement affairs, prioritizing the quality of content and technical aspects of procurement. Monitoring the implementation of the project work plan and taking action and timely informing management in case of delays, problems, etc. Timely and high-quality reporting by collating required information and inputs from the Project Team and consultants, and incorporating financial data, following up on comments of the project partners, and finalizing the reports. Guiding the Project Team and consultants on issues related to the design, implementation and monitoring of activities. Assuring quality of the project outputs in accordance with the specific terms of reference of the assignments and the provisions of the project document. Participating in project steering committee meetings and providing the representatives of the concerned institutions with project related progress and plans. Establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships and implementation strategies defined in the project document with national authorities and local partners focusing on achievement of the project results and outcomes. Fulfilling additional tasks, as required by UNDP. ATLAS Profile: Project Manager Organizing and facilitating the work of the Project Team and consultants through provision of timely operational and managerial guidance (25%) Ensuring project resources are planned and disbursed efficiently and effectively as per the approved work plans and resource schedules, through maintaining day-to-day relations with the Project Team, Beneficiaries, Sida and UNDP. Ensuring efficient delivery of technical assistance through initiation of the individual consultant mobilization process and monitoring of inputs of the individual consultants, with the assistance of the Project Team.This vacancy is archived.