Judicial Reform Expert (Locally Recruited)

The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) serves as the Technical Lead for the third iteration of the European Union’s Governance in Justice Programme (EU-GOJUST) implemented in the Philippines. EU-GOJUST seeks to improve access to justice for all Filipinos and contribute 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.  

The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, or Batas Pambansa Blg. 129 (BP 129), establishes the principal framework governing the organization, jurisdiction and territorial structure of Philippine courts. Although subsequently amended, its institutional design has remained substantially unchanged despite significant demographic, administrative, technological, and procedural developments. This has created a growing mismatch between the statutory framework and current realities, including population growth, inflation, the country’s present administrative regions, technological transformation, and changing judicial workloads. The outdated framework contributes to persistent court congestion and case backlogs. Judicial regions also no longer correspond to the country’s administrative regions, presenting coordination and court-management challenges, particularly following the establishment of the Office of the Regional Court Managers. 

Against this background, IDLO seeks to engage a Judicial Reform Expert to support the Supreme Court, through the Committee on the Review and Reform of the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980, in conducting a multidisciplinary review of relevant legal, social, economic, institutional and technological literature. The review will provide an evidence base for proposed reforms. 

The assignment will identify, synthesize and critically assess evidence on judicial reorganization and examine how court structures, jurisdictional arrangements, judicial capacity and administrative models affect efficiency, equality, accessibility and the quality of justice. 

Under the supervision of the Senior Programme Advisor and in collaboration with the Field Programme Coordinator, the Judicial Reform Expert is expected to: 

• Submit an Inception Report including research objectives and questions, methodology, scope of analysis, conceptual and analytical framework, and detailed workplan and timeline. 

• Conduct a structured desk review of legal, social, and economic literature relating to themes including but not limited to: 

• Philippine legislation, jurisprudence, rules and official policy documents; 

• Supreme Court publications and judicial administrative materials; 

• Philippine and international empirical studies; 

• Comparative studies on efficient judicial mapping, jurisdiction, decentralization, court management, and other related themes; 

• Literature on access to justice, institutional or organizational design, legal technology and court performance. 

• Prepare a draft multi-disciplinary literature review report with preliminary findings and recommendations for the proposed reform. 

• Present preliminary findings and recommendations with EU-GOJUST and other institutional partners, incorporate feedback, and submit the final report.  

Throughout the implementation, the Judicial Reform Expert is expected to integrate the EU-GOJUST's Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Framework, ensuring that the final output reflects inclusive and equitable justice outcomes. 

Education 

• Advanced degree in Law, Political Science, Public Administration, Governance, Development Studies, or other related disciplines. 

• Must be a member in good standing of the Philippine Bar. 

Experience 

• A minimum of Five (5) years of relevant experience in judicial reform, justice sector governance, legal or institutional reform, or public sector policy development. 

• Demonstrated substantial experience in multidisciplinary legal or institutional research, including legal and policy analysis. 

• Strong understanding of judicial systems, court administration, and institutional reform, preferably within the Philippine justice sector 

• Proven ability to conduct analytical studies and evidence-based policy research and translate findings into practical recommendations, evidenced by published works and studies on institutional reform and justice sector governance. 

• Experience or familiarity with judicial reform projects, court administration, and caseflow or workload management is an advantage.

Languages  

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.  

 Specific Technical & Behavioral Competencies  

• Excellent legal writing skills, particularly in preparing well-structured policy and legislative proposals. 

• Strong research, analytical, and synthesis skills.  

• Strong presentation and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex legal and institutional issues clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

• Ability to work with stakeholders, including government institutions and the judiciary. 

• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and adjust to evolving project needs. 

• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy. 

• Ability to take guidance, incorporate feedback, and consider various perspectives  

• Keen sense of ethics, integrity, and commitment to IDLO’s mandate  

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 35 working days within a 3-month period, in accordance with the agreed work plan and deliverables schedule. The selected consultant is expected to commence work as soon as possible following contract signing. 

IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome applications of qualified and diverse candidates. IDLO is committed to achieving a 50/50 gender balance at all levels within its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for IDLO vacancies. 

IDLO does not tolerate sexual exploitation or abuse, any kind of harassment, including harassment of a sexual nature; or discrimination. As such, IDLO will conduct careful reference and background checks of all selected candidates as part of its selection process.   

In the interest of making the most effective use of resources, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted during the selection process.  

Disclaimer  
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the employee assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and in compliance with IDLO’s policy on personal data protection. The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.