Project Officer (Criminal Justice)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization that aims to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. Established in 1965, UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people to address development challenges. The organization focuses on various areas, including democratic governance, sustainable development, and resilience to crises. UNDP's mission is to help countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote inclusive and sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind. The organization emphasizes the importance of partnerships and collaboration with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and the private sector, to achieve its objectives.

Job Overview:
The Project Officer (Criminal Justice) will play a pivotal role in advancing the objectives of the EU Justice and Legal Empowerment Programme Phase II (EU JULE II) and related initiatives. This position is focused on enhancing the capacity, efficiency, and accountability of criminal justice institutions in Vietnam. The Project Officer will facilitate capacity building, promote knowledge sharing, and support technical and policy interventions within the criminal justice sector. The role requires a strong emphasis on improving procedural fairness, accountability, and institutional performance among judicial actors. The Project Officer will provide technical advice on law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">criminal law and procedure, support reforms to strengthen procedural safeguards and due process, develop training tools, facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue, and promote evidence-based policy development. The position requires close collaboration with Vietnamese legal and judicial agencies, UN partners, and other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of programme objectives and intended impact.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Officer (Criminal Justice) will report directly to the Project Manager and work under the technical guidance of the National Chief Technical Advisor (NCTA). The key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring effective implementation of criminal justice interventions under the State Component of EU JULE II, covering the full programme cycle from design to delivery, monitoring, and reporting. This involves conducting ongoing analysis of the political, legal, and social situation, preparing substantive inputs for programme documents, and translating programme priorities into actionable interventions.
• Providing technical expertise and facilitating knowledge management in advancing criminal justice reforms, including supporting reforms to strengthen procedural safeguards and fair trial standards, and strengthening the capacity of judicial actors through training and mentoring.
• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with Vietnamese criminal justice institutions, development partners, UN agencies, and civil society to ensure coherence and sustainability of reforms.
• Conducting research and analysis on potential partners, preparing briefs on collaboration areas, and supporting inter-agency coordination mechanisms to improve policy dialogue and service delivery within the criminal justice sector. The incumbent will also perform other duties as necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Law or a related field. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience, will also be considered. The candidate must have a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of Law, Judiciary, or related areas (4 years if holding a Bachelor’s degree). Required skills include proficiency in computer and office software packages, data management, and web-based monitoring and reporting systems. Desired skills include experience in implementing development projects in Criminal and Judicial Reform, familiarity with Vietnamese and international legal frameworks, and experience in drafting reports and preparing training materials.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Law or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the same fields, along with two additional years of qualifying experience, will be considered. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of criminal law and the judicial system.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience for candidates with a master's degree or 4 years for those with a bachelor's degree. This experience should be progressively responsible and related to the field of Law, Judiciary, or similar areas. Candidates should have experience in the implementation of development projects, particularly in Criminal and Judicial Reform, and should be adept at analyzing legal and policy issues and providing actionable recommendations.

Languages:
Fluency in Vietnamese and English is required for this position. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, UN agencies, and civil society organizations. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may involve working closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies and international partners. UNDP is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. The organization does not tolerate harassment or discrimination and emphasizes equal opportunity in its recruitment process. The right to select multiple candidates from this vacancy announcement is reserved by UNDP, and candidates may be considered for other similar positions within the organization.