Technical Associate for Socio-Environmental Issues and Access to Justice (Office Based – 1 vacancy)
Qualifications of Technical Associate:
- Location: Brasilia, Brazil
- Vacancy No: 28303
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: UNDP United Nations Development Programme
- Deadline: 8/21/2025
Brief details about Technical Associate:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
The Plural Justice Program, a partnership between the National Council of Justice and UNDP, aims to develop strategies and support the Brazilian Judiciary’s capacity to promote human rights, protect socio-environmental rights, and strengthen access to justice. It focuses on meeting the needs of structurally vulnerable populations, systematizing the environmental, social, and governance foundations of the 2030 Agenda within the Judiciary.
The project includes distinct actions to meet the needs of children and adolescents in shelters, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Indigenous populations and other traditional peoples and communities, homeless individuals, the elderly and people with disabilities (PwD), families of missing persons, and those made vulnerable by socio-environmental issues. To achieve these objectives, the project is divided into the following areas of action:
- Strategy for developing a judicial policy to promote human rights with a focus on ensuring full access to justice;
- Strategy for improving the provision of legal services with a focus on guaranteeing the rights of children and adolescents in sheltered or vulnerable situations;
- Strategy for improving the provision of justice with a focus on guaranteeing the rights of women and LGBTQIA+ people, through an intersectional approach to gender, race, class issues and other specific vulnerabilities;
- Methodology and pilot actions to strengthen the provision of jurisdiction in guaranteeing rights and access to justice for homeless people;
- Methodology and pilot actions to improve the provision of jurisdiction in socio-environmental matters;
- Strategy to improve the Judiciary’s performance in cases related to the involuntary and forced disappearances of people;
- Strategy for improving the provision of justice with a focus on combating racism in the judicial system developed and strengthened.
Duties and responsibilities
The Technical Associate for socio-environmental issues and access to justice will be responsible for planning, strategic discussion, execution and monitoring of the implementation of the work of Axis 5 “Methodology and pilot actions for improving the provision of jurisdiction in socio-environmental matters”, of project BRA/23/027.
Under the supervision of the project coordination, the Technical Associate for socio-environmental issues and access to justice must monitor the implementation of the activities of Axis 5, taking responsibility for technical and administrative tasks, contributing to the establishment of strategies consistent with the objectives of this axis, in a manner aligned with good practices for project implementation and monitoring.
The selected candidate is expected to have the ability to engage technically and critically in discussions on the central themes of their area of expertise, as well as strong teamwork skills, collaborating on establishing schedules, monitoring deliveries and deadlines, and ensuring the technical quality of the actions carried out within their area of expertise. The selected candidate is also expected to be involved in discussions on actions in the other thematic areas, contributing to maintaining cohesion between them.
The Technical Associate for Socio-Environmental Issues and Access to Justice will be responsible for Axis 5, “Methodology and Pilot Actions for Improving the Provision of Jurisdiction in Socio-Environmental Matters,” of project BRA/23/027. This axis will accommodate actions related to access to justice for vulnerable populations due to socio-environmental issues, and especially environmental racism.
The Technical Associate for Socio-Environmental and Access to Justice Issues will work alongside the project coordinator and in collaboration with the UNDP and CNJ teams on planning, strategic discussion, execution, and monitoring of the implementation of the work within their area of responsibility. The hiree is also expected to be able to engage in discussions on intersectional actions across the project’s other thematic areas.
To achieve these objectives, the following indicative activities are planned:
1. Execute and technically monitor the actions of the action axis :
• Support activities related to the implementation of actions within your area of activity under the supervision of the project coordinator.
• Act in an organized and proactive manner.
• Contribute to defining implementation priorities based on CNJ guidelines.
• Be open to accepting different demands
. • Actively participate in dialogues with colleagues and supervisors.
2. Plan and monitor with a focus on tracking and controlling schedules, strategies and deliveries :
• Monitor the activity schedule for the area of activity.
• Monitor the planning of planned actions.
• Verify that deliverables are being delivered as planned.
• Analyze the alignment of activities with expected results.
• Ensure that the strategies adopted are in line with the area’s objectives.
3. Ensure technical quality and adherence to UNDP and CNJ guidelines :
• Ensure the technical quality of deliveries.
• Work in conjunction with project coordination.
• Ensure deliveries follow established guidelines.
• Seek full adherence to UNDP guidelines.
• Align actions with the guidelines of the National Council of Justice (CNJ).
4. Support the dissemination of knowledge and production of technical documents :
• Provide support for knowledge management initiatives within the area of activity.
• Encourage initiatives that promote and disseminate knowledge and products developed within the area.
• Provide information and analysis for the production of monitoring reports.
• Draft technical notes, presentations, and other technical materials related to the area.
• Prepare documents such as draft terms of reference and other management instruments.
5. Support for HR processes and other tasks compatible with the functional profile :
• Work with UNDP on activities related to the Project’s Human Resources.
• Be involved in the selection processes for individuals and legal entities.
• Contribute to the integration of professionals hired into the project.
• Participate in the organization and execution of training for teams.
• Perform other tasks related to the Project’s Human Resources area.
The incumbent performs other functions within his/her functional profile that he/she considers necessary for the proper functioning of the project.
The selected person is expected to have knowledge and experience related to the management and execution of international cooperation projects and/or broad thematic knowledge of areas related to socio-environmental inclusion and access to justice, being able to lead technical discussions on the respective vulnerable populations. The key results expected for this position aim to structure action and monitoring strategies in order to guarantee the quality, efficiency and effectiveness in the implementation of the project at the national level, in a manner aligned with the goals and priorities agreed by UNDP and CNJ, contributing to the promotion of access to justice in a broad and intersectional manner.
Skills
- Achieve results – LEVEL 2: Expands solutions and simplifies processes, balancing speed and accuracy in work execution.
- Thinking Innovatively – LEVEL 2: Proposes new ideas and is open to innovative approaches, demonstrating systemic and integrated thinking.
- Continuous Learning – LEVEL 2: Step out of your comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning.
- Adapt with Agility – LEVEL 2: Adapts processes and approaches to new situations, involving others in the change process.
- Act with Determination – LEVEL 2: Perseveres and deals with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously.
- Engage and Partner – LEVEL 2: Acts as a facilitator and integrator, bringing people together and building or maintaining coalitions and partnerships.
- Promote Diversity and Inclusion – LEVEL 2: Facilitates conversations to overcome differences and takes this into account in decision-making.
Multifunctional and technical skills
Digital / Systems Thinking and Transformation:
- Understand that complex problems require a holistic, non-reductionist approach.
- Ability to explore new challenges from multiple perspectives, alternating between a broad and detailed view, focusing on relationships and flows rather than isolated elements; understanding how certain dynamics and conditions are driving and influencing a problem.
- Ability to develop collective understanding by mapping systems and their dynamics (e.g., resource flows, information flows, and power relations); ability to deal with ambiguities and help others navigate them.
- Ability to identify intervention points to promote change and transform systems, defining a coherent set of multiple interventions to test the desired effects on the system.
- Understanding that changes are not linear and unpredictable; comfort and ability to work with emergency situations.
Data / Data Analysis:
- Ability to extract, analyze, and visualize data to generate meaningful insights and support effective business decision-making.
Administration and Operations / Document and Records Management:
- Document management (physical or electronic) / recording and retention policies, including storage and archiving.
Business Development / Human-Centered Design:
- Ability to develop solutions to problems that involve the human perspective at all stages of the resolution process. Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of human-centered design.
Business Management / Project Management:
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific objectives.
Business Management / Working with Evidence and Data:
- Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform, and model data to discover useful insights, inform conclusions, and support decision-making.
Agenda 2030: Peace / Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights:
- Effective Justice Sector Institutions.
Required skills and experience
Minimum education requirements:
- High school diploma is required;
- A university degree (Higher Education) in the areas of Humanities, Social Sciences or Agriculture will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.
Minimum years of relevant professional experience:
- A minimum of 7 years (for complete secondary education) or 4 years (for higher education) of professional or research experience with an international cooperation project or in the areas of Access to Justice or defense of populations in socio-environmental vulnerability is required.
Required skills:
- Skill in using information technology.
Desired skills, in addition to the skills covered in the Skills section:
- Experience working with the Brazilian Justice System;
- Experience with research or implementation of projects that address the issue of environmental racism;
- Experience with research or implementation of projects with an intersectional approach;
- Experience in executing projects or research in the Socio-Environmental and Access to Justice areas
- Experience working with international technical cooperation projects.
Required languages:
Fluency in Portuguese is required.
A basic level of English is desirable.
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.