Contracting IC - Senior Technical Advisor (Village Court Sustainability)

Country: Bangladesh

Description of the Assignment:  

The Village Court system is a statutory, quasi-formal Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism administered through the Local Government Division (LGD) and Union Parishads. Established under the Village Courts Act 2006 and the Village Courts Rules 2016, Village Courts provide an accessible, affordable, and timely forum for resolving minor civil and criminal disputes at the local level. By bridging formal legal provisions with community-based dispute resolution, the system contributes to improved access to justice, social cohesion, and public confidence in local governance.

To strengthen this system, the Government of Bangladesh, through the Local Government Division, with financial and technical support from the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has been implementing the Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh (AVCB) Project. Building on the achievements of Phases I and II, AVCB Phase III focuses on strengthening the institutional, operational, and financial foundations of the Village Court system to support its long-term sustainability under Government leadership.

To support this transition, AVCB Phase III provided technical assistance to the Government of Bangladesh in developing an Exit and Sustainability Plan (ESP), which has since been approved by the Government. The ESP provides a strategic roadmap for the gradual transfer of project functions, systems, capacities, and responsibilities to national institutions. It is built around five strategic pillars: (i) institutionalization and policy integration; (ii) capacity development and knowledge retention; (iii) systems and digital transformation; (iv) citizen engagement and inclusion; and (v) sustainable financing. Effective implementation of the ESP is essential to sustaining the projects achievements and ensuring the continued operation of Village Courts under Government leadership.

As AVCB Phase III enters its final implementation period, the project seeks to engage a Senior Technical Advisor to support implementation of the ESP and accelerate priority actions across its five pillars. Working closely with the Local Government Division, the Project Management Unit, and other key stakeholders, the consultant will facilitate coordination, monitor implementation progress, identify and address bottlenecks, and support timely delivery of ESP milestones. The assignment will contribute to strengthening Government ownership and ensuring a smooth and sustainable transition of the Village Court system beyond the project period.

Period of assignment/services: 120 working days over the period 08 month (October 2026 to May 2027)

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UNDP

BD Procurement unit