National Legal Expert – Pandemic Preparedness and Response at International Development Law Organization

About IDLO

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law.

To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLO.

BACKGROUND

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO), in the context of the global response to COVID-19, seeks to support countries in strengthening national legal and policy frameworks on preparedness and response to public health emergencies, such as the current pandemic, in compliance with their international obligations under the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR) and other international norms. IDLO is committed to support countries through the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Project (PPRP). The project is designed to contribute to the United Nations’ Framework for the Immediate Socio-economic Response to COVID-19, which aims to “protect the needs and rights of people living under the duress of the pandemic, with particular focus on the most vulnerable countries, groups, and people who risk being left behind”.¹ Direct beneficiaries include legal and policy advisors from relevant ministries, teaching and research staff from tertiary schools of law and schools of public health, and legal and policy advisors from health and other civil society organizations. The project will contribute to the overall objective by identifying gaps in relevant national legal and policy frameworks in targeted countries and, based on the analysis, by providing technical assistance and capacity development support to relevant stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental. In 2021, with the consent of the Government of Zambia, IDLO will provide technical support to strengthen the national legal framework for pandemic preparedness and response.

THE ASSIGNMENT

Under the supervision of the PPRP Program Lead and in close coordination with the PPRP Program Coordinator and the International Legal Expert, the National Legal Expert – Pandemic Preparedness and Response (Zambia) will be responsible for the following duties:

• Map key local stakeholders involved in the national preparation, management and response process to public health emergencies of international concern;
• Conduct in-depth legal review and gap analysis of the national legal and policy frameworks on pandemic preparedness and response, through a participatory process;
• Based on the results of the participatory gap analysis and through consultations, develop a set of recommendations for strengthening the national legal and policy frameworks on pandemic preparedness and response;
• Facilitate consultations among local stakeholders and draft reports and output documentation;
• Facilitate collaboration between local stakeholders and the IDLO PPRP team;
• Draft a roadmap for the implementation of the recommendations from the gap analysis, ensuring participation of, and in close collaboration with, the IDLO PPRP Team;
• Support and coordinate the delivery of sensitization meetings and capacity development activities, as included in the country roadmap.
• Ensure that the proposed recommendations and roadmap reflect the relevant international norms and standards and WHO guidelines on pandemic preparedness and response, including the IHR.
• Provide regular reports;
• Design, draft, review and edit technical working papers, memos, briefs, and other original materials, for utilization of these materials for the development of relevant project outputs that may be requested;
• Facilitate implementation of the recommendations of the gap analysis and roadmap

Ideal Candidate Profile

Education and Work Experience

• Bachelor of Laws degree;
• Qualification in Public Health;
• Familiarity with the International Health Regulations;
• Training in legal research or policy analysis.
• Experience in research and/or assessment of laws/policies;
• Ability to develop technical products such as legal/policy desk-reviews, gap analysis reports, and roadmaps;
• Experience of previous technical work on conducting legal analysis of public health systems;
• Experience in facilitation of decision-making platforms such as validation workshops.

Languages

• Fluent oral and professional writing skills in English are essential;**
• Knowledge of local languages will be an advantage.

Specific knowledge, skills and competencies

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Proficient use of other ICT software and internet software;
• Works well with others and actively participates. Shares information, contributes, encourages and motivates others to become involved in team activities;
• Resilient, able to work under pressure with tight deadlines, flexible and an entrepreneurial spirit;
• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The consultancy will be based in Zambia for an estimated period of not more than eight (8) months. The total maximum remuneration for the assignment will be €15,000 depending on agreed deliverables. Payment will be made upon receipt of deliverables of a high quality and upon approval by the supervisor, as per mutually agreed schedule.

All interested applicants are encouraged to apply online via Impactpool and enclose an updated CV and a cover letter.

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the Contractor assigned to this work. This may not be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities.

The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Application deadline is two weeks from the date of publication, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.