Consultant, Alternative Dispute Resolution Expert

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) seeks a consultant with expertise in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to support the Legal Reform Fund’s (LRF) work in Timor-Leste. LRF is a global three-year project supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (S/GWI) to address barriers to women’s full and effective participation in economic life in five key areas. These include access to institutions; removing employment barriers; property acquisition, ownership, and management; building credit; and ability to travel.

This consultant position will support LRF program activities in Timor-Leste in coordination with a Country Lead based in Timor-Leste, Washington, DC-based ABA ROLI staff, and pro bono attorneys from global law firms.

Activities:

• Conduct a baseline analysis of alternative dispute resolution guidelines utilized by Timor-Leste government agencies that house mediators working on land and property dispute issues. This analysis will be supported by in-country consultants that serve as LRF program implementors (Estimated LoE: 15 days total)

• Work with the inter-agency working group to update mediation guidelines to better support gender-sensitive dispute resolution (Estimated LoE: 15 days total)

• Develop gender-sensitive training for mediators in consultation with the inter-agency ADR working group, including the development of training materials for the Training of Trainers (Estimated LoE: 5 days total)

• Travel to Timor-Leste to conduct two Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions to mediators housed within Timor-Leste government agencies. This includes in-country preparation of trainings and travel (Estimated LoE: 10 days total).

• Support the development of a final report related to ADR programming (Estimated LoE: 5 days total).

• Availability for ad hoc and participation in scheduled periodic “check-ins” with core team to troubleshoot, answer questions, or review work over program duration (Estimated LoE: 5 days total).

Required Qualifications

• Graduate, LL.M, or J.D degree in relevant field

• No less than seven years of experience in alternative dispute resolution

• Experience with developing training curriculum/modules with an emphasis on gender mainstreaming and/or property disputes

• Specialized training in human rights, gender perspective, and inter-sectional approaches

• Demonstrated abilities in training, mentoring, and coaching individuals and groups particularly within government agencies

• Organized, detail-oriented, professional, efficient, ethical, responsible, reliable, flexible, have strong communication skills, and be able to complete work to completion

• Experience working in a professional environment with people from diverse cultural backgrounds

• Ability to travel to Timor-Leste

• Proficiency in English

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge of civil law and post-colonial legal systems; an understanding of Timor-Leste’s legal system and relevant authorities is a plus.
• Proficiency in Portuguese and/or Tetum

Interested and qualified individuals should submit their applications by email, including:

• Cover Letter including a description of approach, and proposed compensation
• Curriculum Vitae
• Optional: Writing Sample

Applications should be submitted to [email protected] with position title in the subject line. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis through February 15, 2023.

About ABA ROLI:

For 30 years, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has worked in more than 100 countries to strengthen legal institutions, support legal professionals, foster respect for human rights, and advance public understanding of the law and citizen rights. In collaboration with government agencies, the judiciary, lawyers, bar associations, legislatures, and civil society, we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to pressing rule of law challenges.

For more information on ABA ROLI, please visit: https://www.americanbar.org/advocacy/rule_of_law/about.html

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its programming. Individuals identifying as from marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented populations/communities are especially encouraged to apply.