Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The SO-JUST Project is a seven-year social justice reform initiative funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Government of Jamaica and civil society partners. The project aims to use an equitable human rights and gender responsive approach, targeting systemic change within the processes of the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, its departments and agencies, the Courts, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and other state and non-state partners to improve social justice in Jamaica. The project aims to support the Government of Jamaica in increasing access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and strengthening the capacity of the justice system to implement gender-responsive social justice policies and programmes. It reflects and integrates the four pillars of social justice, which are equity, access, participation, and rights, and adopts a gender-responsive approach. The SO-JUST Project is designed to enhance efficiencies and support transformation initiatives that will result in more equitable and accessible justice services. The project is currently in the fifth year of its seven-year implementation plan.

The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (the Ministry), aims to enhance efficiency, transparency and accessibility levels in the island’s justice system. One critical component of this modernization initiative is the development and implementation of an Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), which will digitize case handling, streamline processes, and provide accurate, real-time data across the justice sector. Currently, case management in courts rely heavily on manual processes, leading to delays, inefficiencies and a lack of transparency. The IECMS will be utilized by the courts and related justice sector institutions, including but not limited to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Department of Correctional Services and the private bar, creating an interconnected and cohesive system that facilitates case tracking and management at all stages of the criminal and civil justice process.

The UNDP therefore requires a qualified project manager – assigned to the SO-JUST project – to provide support to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (“the Ministry”) by coordinating the timely and effective implementation of GOJ requirements for the successful completion of the IECMS.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Manager will be responsible for working closely with the International Consulting Firm (ICF) engaged to design, develop and implement the IECMS and oversee the end-to-end planning, design, and execution of the project to implement the IECMS in Jamaica's justice sector. The Project Manager will work closely with the Project Steering Committee, to ensure that the project is delivered on time, within scope, and within budget while meeting the quality standards and expectations of key stakeholders.

The Project Manager will lead the project from initiation to closure, ensuring that the IECMS is effectively integrated and functional across the targeted sections of the justice sector. Key responsibilities are outlined below:

Project Planning and Coordination
- Develop a Comprehensive Project Plan and Schedule, that clearly articulates the approach to be used to efficiently and effectively manage the project’s scope, timelines, cost, stakeholders, quality assurance and risk.
- Define project scope, goals, and deliverables in collaboration with the Project Steering Committee (PSC).
- Develop technical documents required for successful project implementation, to include TORs for the engagement of technical experts.
- Coordinate the recruitment of any technical experts or other support persons, and manage the implementation of the associated terms and activities for the duration of the contract period.
- Manage the completion of all contracts, Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements related to all Consultants, Specialists and project subcontractors engaged to the project.
- Manage the processes to acquire all permits, approvals, or licenses from the various government authorities, including entry permits for the Consultant’s equipment, as well as all other permits, approvals, or licenses that are not the responsibility of the Consultant for the performance of the Contract.
- Manage the timely coordination and provision of all resources, information, and decision making on behalf of the Ministry and other justice sector partners within the time specified in the Implementation Schedule.
- Be responsible for facilitating access, using previously established protocols, to the requisite project sites and to all other areas reasonably required for the proper execution of the project.
- Coordinate with external vendors, software developers, and other technical teams involved in the development and deployment of the IECMS to ensure timely completion and maintenance of prescribed service delivery standards.
- Coordinate compliance with all legal, regulatory, and data security requirements governing the roll-out of the IECMS in Jamaica.
Stakeholder Management
- Engage and manage relationships with all project and other key stakeholders, including the Ministry, the Judiciary, the Court Administration Division, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Information Commissioner, law enforcement agencies, other justice service providers and external partners.
- Facilitate regular and inclusive communication and updates with stakeholders to ensure alignment with project objectives and address emerging concerns.
- Organize workshops, training, and awareness sessions for justice sector personnel and end-users on the IECMS functionality and benefits.
System Design and Integration
- Collaborate with technical teams to ensure that the IECMS is appropriately designed to integrate with existing systems used in the justice sector.
- Coordinate the timely provision of all resources, facilitating access, and information necessary for the Installation and Acceptance Test of the IECMS, as identified in the agreed and finalized Inception Report (except where provision of such items is explicitly identified as being the responsibility of the ICF), being mindful of the effect of any delay on the timeliness of the Acceptance Test.
- Acting on behalf of the Ministry and its stakeholders, assume the primary responsibility for the timely and effective implementation of the Acceptance Test(s) for the IECMS, including the continued operation of the IECMS after the Acceptance Test, until otherwise directed by the Project Steering Committee.
Budgeting and Financial Management
- Develop and manage the project budget, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently and that expenditures are within approved limits.
- Provide Monthly Financial Reports and forecasts to the Ministry in accordance with agreed timelines.
- Acting on behalf of the Ministry and its stakeholders, inspect or test any components of the System, as specified in the ICF Work Plan and prepare budgets for expenses not limited to inspection agent fees, travel and related expenses.
Risk Management
- Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation strategies to address them.
- Implement systems and procedures for ensuring the safe storage, timely and regular backup of all data and software in accordance with accepted data management principles (except where such responsibility is clearly assigned to the IECMS developers/ ICF).
- Manage all confidential information received from the ICF or justice sector stakeholders and ensure that the confidential information is not used for any other purpose other than operation, maintenance and further development or reengineering of the IECMS.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and monitor project progress against these metrics.
- Prepare and submit regular Monthly Progress Reports to the Ministry, Project Steering Committee, and other stakeholders. Reports should provide updates on activities, bottlenecks, changes to risks, mitigation strategies, as well as progress in implementing or achieving KPIs (as appropriate).
- Ensure that any deviations from the project plan are identified early, and approval sought from the Project Steering Committee for the implementation of timely corrective measures.
- Review and approve documents furnished by the Consultant and ensure that there is no departure from any approved document.
Knowledge management, Training and Change Management
- Coordinate training programmes for justice sector staff to ensure smooth transition to the new system.
- Oversee the execution of the change management process to ensure user adoption and reduce resistance to the new IECMS.
- Oversee the development of user manuals and training guides by the Consultant to ensure that all personnel are fully competent in using the IECMS.
- Coordinate with justice sector stakeholders to ensure that each organization or department designates appropriate staff for the training courses and also make appropriate logistical arrangements for trainings.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager will report directly to the UNDP Jamaica Programme Specialist, working closely with the SO-JUST Project Management Unit, and the Ministry of Justice Focal Point. Approval of any work product produced by the Project Manager will be contingent on feedback from the above-mentioned stakeholders, and receipt of a certification of approval from the Permanent Secretary of the MOJCA (or designate).

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results    LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively    LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously    LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility     LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination     LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner    LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion    LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management
- Project Management:
  - Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management
- Partnerships Management:
  - Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts, and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
Business Management
- Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
- Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
- Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming
  needs and concerns.
Partnership management
- Resource Mobilization:
  - Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities and establish a plan to meet funding requirements.
Business Direction & Strategy
- System Thinking:
  - Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master´s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field is required, or
University degree (bachelor´s degree) in Business Administration, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 2 years of experience (with a master’s degree) or 4 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of experience in managing large scale IT projects, preferably within the public sector or justice system.

Required experience, knowledge and skills:

•    Proven experience managing the development and deployment of case management systems or similar solutions.
•    Experience implementing technology-driven changes in large organizations or multi-agency contexts.
•    Experience in managing projects in a high-security environment with multiple stakeholders, vendors, and contractors.

Desired skills:

Past experience working with judicial workflows and justice system operations, the legal framework and processes.
Previous experience working with Governments, UN System or similar organisations.

Required Language(s) (at working level):

Fluency in English is required.

Professional Certificates:

Professional certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2) is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

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Project Manager – Integrated Electronic Case Management System (Open to all applicants)