Position Information
VA No.: UNDP/LBN/VA26/027
Position Title: National Legal Expert – Supporting the National Human Rights Commission’s advocacy efforts to assess and alleviate the human rights conditions in Detention Centers and support release of eligible detainees in Lebanon in North Lebanon
Duty Station: The assignment is based at the NHRC-NPM premises, in addition to visits to detention facilities and public institutions, North Lebanon.
Duration: 20 working days spread over a period of 11 weeks from Contract’s signature
Contract Type: Consultancy
Vacancy Date of Issue: 3 March 2026
Vacancy Closure Date: 8 March 2026
National or International consultancy: National (LEBANESE NATIONALS ONLY)
To review the full Terms of Reference (TOR), please follow link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R9vXQ9iyAwL1qEIKS0qROiC53uXmOwpJ/view?usp=sharing
Background
In 2016, Lebanon passed Law 62 of 27/10/2016 establishing a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) that includes a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). Since its creation and the appointment of its members in 2018, the Commission has faced numerous issues preventing it from being fully operational. Nonetheless, its human rights promotion and protection mandate remains critical, even more so in the current deteriorating Lebanese context.
UNDP has been supporting the NHRC-NPM since its establishment. As Lebanon’s independent human rights institution, the NHRC’s human rights plays a central role in monitoring government compliance with human rights norms and obligations, receiving complaints of human rights violation, providing assistance and information about human rights to the public, and calling attention to abuses and violations of human rights. Further, the NPM plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rights of detained individuals. The NPM possesses the authority to conduct unannounced inspections of detention centers and prisons to assess the treatment of detainees.
UNDP has been supporting the NHRC, which includes the NPM, in conducting inspection visits to assess the human rights conditions in detention centers in Lebanon. This assessment culminated in identifying cases of detainees who should and/or could have been released upon simple administrative decisions.
With tangible results reflected in the release of more than 80 detainees to date, and with a view to continue upholding the NHRC/NPM efforts in protecting the rights of detainees in Lebanon, UNDP is seeking a national legal expert to support the NHRC in assessing detention centers conditions, reporting on human rights violations to contribute to NHRC’s mandate in alleviating congestion in Detention Centers and releasing detainees in Lebanon.
Scope of work, responsibilities and description of the proposed analytical work
Under the overall guidance of the Community Security and Human Rights officer, and in close coordination with the NHRC/NPM, the consultant will be supporting the commission’s mandate in alleviating congestion in Lebanese detention centers.
To achieve this objective, the consultant is expected to:
- Conduct regular inspection visits to Detention Centers in Lebanon
- Assess the detention centers human rights related conditions, including the conditions of the detainees
- Report on any human rights violations identified within detention centers to the NHRC/NPM
- Identify target cases eligible for release under the NHRC mandate and report them to the commission.
- The targeted categories include:
- Detainees suspected of misdemeanors. According to Article 108 of the Code of Criminal Procedures, the detention period for a misdemeanor should not exceed two months, unless the individual is a previously convicted person sentenced to at least one year of imprisonment. In exceptional circumstances, this period may be extended by an additional two months.
- Juveniles, particularly in Warwar Rehabilitation Center for Children/Boys in Conflict with the Law
- Detainees who have remained in pre-trial detention beyond the maximum period of sentencingif found guilty.
- Under this consultancy, the Consultant is requested to complete the following tasks based on their area of work assigned to them by the commission
- Identify workable cases based on previous assessments from detention centers and prisons.
- Identify new potential cases in the various detention centers and prisons, if any
- Identify the most suitable legal process to address cases, including:
- Signing off on release orders
- Applying for clemency
- Liaising with the Public Prosecution Office in order to facilitate the release process of detainees
- Liaising with the Higher Judicial Council in order to facilitate the release process of detainees.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
The Consultant is expected to report its work progress to the NHRC/NPM in addition to the submission of two progress reports to UNDP (each spread over a period of 5.5 weeks) reflecting the aforementioned tasks. The total duration of the contract should not exceed 11 weeks (with a total number of working days not exceeding 20 days).
Institutional arrangements
- The consultant will be directly supervised by the NHRC-NPM and UNDP
- The work is expected to start upon contract signature.
- The UNDP project team will organize briefing meetings with the consultant and will be responsible for providing the consultant with necessary materials related to the assignment in a timely manner.
- The consultant will rely on his/her own means of communication and transportation. Transportation and communication fees for the consultant should be included in his/her financial offer.
- The title rights, copyrights and all other rights whatsoever nature in any material produced under the provisions of this TOR will be vested exclusively in UNDP and NHRC. UNDP and NHRC have full ownership of the activity and of its final product. Thus, any public mention (including through social media) about the activity should state clearly that ownership. In addition, any public appearance related to the activity should be coordinated and approved by UNDP and NHRC.
- In the event of any delay, s/he will inform UNDP promptly so that decisions and remedial action may be taken accordingly. Delays that would affect the flow of the collaborative work and the delivery of outputs on schedule will lead to termination of contract; and
- Should UNDP deem it necessary, it reserves the right to commission additional inputs, reviews, or revisions, as needed to ensure the quality and relevance of the work;
Duration of work
The assigned duration for this consultancy is 20 working days spread over a period of 11 weeks from Contract’s signature**.**
Duty station
The assignment is based at the NHRC-NPM premises, in addition to visits to detention facilities and public institutions.
STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
• A bachelor’s degree in law, political science, human rights, social sciences, international
relations, or closely related discipline or above.
• At least 6 years of relevant work experience in the legal field;
Language: Fluency in Arabic, English, and French (oral and written)
“The Personnel will be covered with Health insurance and Personal accident insurance; the fees shall be deducted from personnel’s monthly payment”.
How to apply
To apply for this position please choose one of the two options below:
1. Link to Apply: https://jobs.my-soc.org/apply/20260303125503/6VSZQeTswtakIuYxLz9oKvGiH
2. You can send your CV with the cover letter to this email: jobs@starsorbit.org. Please write (UNDP/LBN/VA26/027) in the subject of the email.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS TO APPLY
1. CV or P11 Form including 3 references must be submitted online in PDF along with your Education Graduation Certificate.
2. Use English language only.
3. indicate clear years of experience with each job (Month/Year)
4. If the candidate is currently employed by a government institution, he/she must be able to provide an unpaid leave of absence for the duration of the consultancy.
5. Only candidates who are short-listed will be contacted.
6. By submitting your application, you have read the Terms of Reference for this position and agree that any false, wrong, or incomplete information might lead to your disqualification in this recruitment process.