[TimorLesteStudies] Timorese Program Officer/Field Research Manager, Justice for the Poor Timor-Leste

[Jennifer Drysdale]

RE-ADVERTISEMENT / REVISED LISTING
 
The World Bank Group is seeking expressions of interest from qualified candidates for the position of Program Officer/Field Research Manager, Justice for the Poor Timor-Leste. The assignment is expected to commence in February of 2009. Details of the assignment and information for applicants can be found at the bottom of the posting.
 
Program Officer/Field Research Manager, Justice for the Poor Timor-Leste
 
Location:            Dili, Timor-Leste, with extensive field work
 
Duration:            Short Term Consultant – 75 working days (w possibility of extension)
 
 
The World Bank’s Justice for the Poor (J4P) program is a global research and development program aimed at informing, designing, and supporting pro-poor approaches to justice reform. J4P seeks to understand how governance and justice systems function at the local level, and how individuals and communities navigate those systems in order to resolve disputes and to make claims to (or against) state- or non-state authorities. J4P aims to inform operations in the areas of governance and justice, build the capacity of local institutions and researchers to design and implement high-quality research, disseminate findings, and use such findings to inform ongoing policy reform.  
 
The J4P program has been active in four countries (Indonesia, Cambodia, Sierra Leone and Kenya) and with the support of AusAID is developing a regional program in East Asia and the Pacific, which includes two new country programs (Timor-Leste and Vanuatu). In each context, research and activities are tailored to the Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy and where possible are integrated into the Bank’s operational initiatives.
 
In July 2008, the World Bank launched a J4P program in Timor-Leste.  The J4P program supports the World Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy, in particular the Pillar 3 (Strengthening Governance) outcome of improving access to justice, with a focus on economic rights. The Timor-Leste program is being developed as Asia’s newest country seeks to better define roles for local/traditional authorities, and looks to identify more effective mechanisms for dispute management and resolution. In Timor-Leste, J4P will embark on a program that contributes to an enabling environment for equitable growth, state stability and participatory citizenship through 1) enhanced citizen understanding, claiming, and enforcement of economic and social rights, and 2) improved accountability, conflict management and dispute resolution in reform processes.
 
As J4P builds up its programming in Timor-Leste, we are seeking a mid-level Program Officer/Field Research Manager to participate in program design and management activities; build relationships with government, civil society, local authorities, the donor community, and other key partners; and assist in the management of field research, including training and daily on-site management a team of local researchers.
 
Duties and Responsibilities
 
1. Program Management Activities
- Review literature and legislation relevant to the program;
- Contribute substantial input to development of work plans, research questions, project concept notes, and field research guides;
- Help to coordinate the multiple branches of the program and the wider program team;
- Assist in the planning and management of monthly “brown bag luncheons”;
- Identify and develop possible areas for J4P partnership with local organizations, universities, research institutions, etc;
- Represent the J4P program in coordination meetings, staff meetings, workshops, and meetings with      stakeholders;
- Assist in authoring research reports, briefing notes, policy papers, and other materials as required;
- Help to develop and coordinate research dissemination and follow-up activities, including providing substantive advice on the future direction of the program; and
- Other duties as required.

 
2. Field Research Management Activities
- Conduct interviews with a variety of actors (government, traditional leaders, CSOs, youth groups, women’s leaders, etc), using a full-range of qualitative research techniques;
- Assist in the recruitment and management of a local research team, including providing training, mentoring and on-site monitoring of researchers; 
- Provide insights into the findings of field research, using substantial local knowledge (political, institutional, cultural, etc); and
- Other duties as required.

 
 
Preferred Qualifications:
 
The successful candidate will possess some or all of the following characteristics:
 
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Tetun (required-knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia and/or Portuguese will be an advantage);
- University degree in law or the social sciences (required-advanced degree preferred);
- At least 3 years experience working in the field of international development, law, or research at a professional level (required);
- Willingness and ability to spend extensive periods of time (at least 50% of contract, to include weekends and evenings) in remote areas throughout Timor-Leste, often at minimal notice;
- Proven record of successful interaction with individuals from a diverse array of backgrounds, including government officials, police, traditional leaders, women, the elderly, youth, CSOs, etc;
- Demonstrable experience conducting and analyzing field research and managing a local research team;
- Proven interest in issues of justice and governance in Timor-Leste (experience with land rights or public service delivery is an advantage);
- In-depth understanding of the social, institutional, and political environment in Timor-Leste, including an understanding of local power structures;
- Ability to conduct evidence-based policy analysis and play an active role in the development of program policy and direction;
- Knowledge of computer programs, including Microsoft Word and Excel;
- Experience in program management and logistics;
- Punctuality, intellectual curiosity, willingness to take initiative, multi-tasking, and willingness to work under pressure to meet deadlines.

 
Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. 
 
This position is open to Timorese nationals only. For more information or to apply for this position, please send your current CV (not to exceed 2 pages), a letter explaining your interest in this position and detailing relevant achievements, and the contact information for 2 professional references (employers, professors, etc) to Pamela Dale, Interim Program Coordinator (pdale at worldbank.org) and Geraldo Moniz da Silva, Research Assistant (monizdasilva at gmail.com), by 16 January 2009. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

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