Legal Consultant – Katarungang Pambarangay Knowledge Portal

EU-GOJUST Programme

The European Union’s Governance in Justice (EU-GOJUST) programme is focused on improving access to justice for all Filipinos and contributing to Philippine socio-economic development through a more effective, inclusive, and accountable justice system. These efforts are pursued by supporting the priorities of Philippine justice institutions such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Supreme Court, and justice-sector civil society organizations and law schools.

Katarungang Pambarangay System and the Knowledge Portal

The Katarungang Pambarangay (KP) System, established under the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, aims to promote amicable settlement of disputes at the barangay level to decongest courts and enhance access to justice. To address persistent knowledge gaps on the KP System, EU-GOJUST is supporting the DILG in the development of a web-based knowledge portal targeting barangay officials, Lupon members, the public, lawyers, and law students.

Legal Content Development

Serving as the Technical Lead for the EU-GOJUST Programme, IDLO seeks to engage a Legal Content Consultant to develop comprehensive, accurate, and user-centered legal content for the knowledge portal. The specific objectives of this assignment are:

• Collect, curate, and develop user-friendly content explaining jurisdiction, processes, exemptions, best practices, enforcement, and other resources related to the KP System.
• Equip practitioners with practical tools like templates, case digests, and FAQs to improve compliance and efficiency.
• Bridge knowledge gaps for non-experts through resources aligned with the current legal framework on KP, including Supreme Court rules and jurisprudence.
• Ensure inclusivity by providing content in English and Filipino and other local languages, as may be agreed upon with the DILG, with gender-sensitive language and examples.

Education and Professional Experience

• Licensed Philippine lawyer with at least five years of experience in alternative dispute resolution, preferably barangay justice or litigation.
• Demonstrated experience in legal content creation and familiarity with web-based tools.

Languages

• Outstanding written and verbal skills in English.
• Proficiency in Filipino is an advantage.

Specific knowledge, skills and competencies

• Excellent understanding of the Philippine justice system and local governance context, specifically the KP system and its relationship to the interconnected justice system.
• Strong analytical, writing, and facilitation skills.
• Prior experience working with EU-funded or IDLO projects is an advantage.

This consultancy is offered on a deliverables-based contract, with payment disbursed upon satisfactory completion and approval of each milestone as outlined in the Terms of Reference. The total estimated level of effort for this assignment is 60 working days. The selected consultant is expected to commence work as soon as possible following contract signing.