The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the below positions to support implementation of the Advancing Legal Reasoning and Writing Program in Moldova, funded by the US State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) , focusing on the development and implementation of a legal reasoning, research, and writing course in Moldova. The program will strengthen law faculty instruction in legal ethics, anti-corruption, criminal law, and other subject matters. The duration of program funding is three years.

NCSC is seeking to fill the following three positions: (1) Country Director, (2) Staff Attorney, (3) Finance and Administration Manager. Persons interested in applying for the position are encouraged to submit an application consisting of a brief cover letter and resume to NCSC. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis and the positions can be filled at any time. NCSC anticipates engaging staff as soon as early August 2021.

For more information about the programs or job positions, please contact Rachel Abrego at rabrego@ncsc.org . Persons interested in being considered for a position should send an application torabrego@ncsc.org . NCSC will consider applications for as long as positions remain open.  

Position Descriptions

Country Director

The Moldova-based Country Director (CD) is responsible for overall program management, performance, compliance, work planning, communications, and delivery of legal technical support services. The Country Director will provide legal technical support services to support development and implementation of a legal reasoning and writing curriculum at multiple law faculties in Moldova. The Country Director will work under the direction of the NCSC Home Office Senior Legal Counsel / Program Director, providing management and legal technical support services. Performance of duties and responsibilities will involve travel within Moldova. 

Qualifications include:

• University degree in law
• Strong organizational skills, rigorous attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities needed to perform effectively in a project management position
• At least three years of experience as lawyer, legal officer, program officer, staff attorney or similar position, preferably working on donor-funded legal reform, anti-corruption, or justice sector strengthening projects
• At least five years of ROL program management experience working on behalf of a development implementing partner in a senior management position.
• Experience working with law faculty and / or working on practice-based education in legal setting, preferred

Staff Attorney

The Staff Attorney will be responsible for supporting implementation of program activities, including logistical planning and coordination, providing advisory input on program progress and technical work, and supporting outreach to local counterparts and other actors to general support for implementation of the above programs. Support program implementation with law faculties, including curricula, training materials / guidelines, organizing workshops / meetings, and other materials. Performance of duties and responsibilities will involve travel within Moldova. Qualifications include:

• University degree in law or equivalent degree / work experience, with criminal law focus.
• Experience as legal officer / program officer, staff attorney or similar position, preferably working on donor-funded legal reform, legal education, justice sector strengthening projects.
• Experience in or willingness to support public outreach and monitoring and managing program results / impact.
• Experience in or willingness to support communications and media development related to project activities.
• Experience in researching legal documents, advocacy materials, memoranda, and reports.
• Strong organizational skills, rigorous attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities needed to perform effectively in a demanding position.
• Interest in judicial reform and legal education programs.

Finance and Administration Manager

The Finance and Administration Manager will be responsible for all financial aspects for the above projects in Moldova, including funds disbursement, expenditure reporting, payable accounts, payroll and benefits functions. Performance of duties and responsibilities will involve travel within Moldova. Qualifications include:

• University degree in financial or business management, accounting, or related field.
• At least three to five years as Finance / Accounting or Administration Manager, Accountant, or similar position in an international organization or comparable experience required.
• Strong knowledge of office administration, accounting systems, bookkeeping, and financial operations.
• Prior experience with US government financial reporting requirements preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to clearly explain to project staff, vendors, consultants, and grantees the requirements for financial reporting under a donor-funded project.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethics, transparency, and accountability in program management.
• Computer literacy (MS Word, Excel, accounting software, etc.).

Project Summaries

The Advancing Legal Reasoning and Writing Program in Moldova is a three-year grant program to help Moldovan law faculties develop and implement a critical thinking, legal reasoning, research, and writing course while strengthening law faculty instruction in legal ethics, anti-corruption, criminal law, and other subject matters using project-developed methodologies and content. The program is funded by the United States (US) Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The program performance period is June 2021 to May 2024. An overarching purpose of the program is to is to equip law faculties and law students with legal writing and legal reasoning practical skills needed to operate effectively within the criminal justice system, strengthening the capacity and professionalism of the next generation of justice sector practitioners. The program has three key results: (1) develop and support implementation of full-year legal reasoning, research and writing course in law faculties of selected Moldovan public and private universities, (2) support expansion of the impact of legal reasoning, research, and writing course to other law faculty courses (3) additional cross cutting activities and considerations following the completion of results one and two.