Team Lead

DAI is preparing to launch a new EU-funded project in Pakistan focused on strengthening the rule of law by enhancing Commercial Dispute Resolution (CDR) mechanisms in the provinces of Sindh and Punjab. This initiative aims to create a more favorable environment for Global Gateway investments by improving regulatory and institutional frameworks related to CDR. The project will support judicial institutions, legal professionals, and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centers by building their capacities and promoting greater awareness and use of mediation and arbitration among businesses, SMEs, and regulatory bodies.

Key Responsibilities
- Lead and contribute to the design and implementation of reforms in commercial dispute resolution, including court-annexed mediation, arbitration institutions, and commercial courts or benches.
- Support improvements in the regulatory and institutional environment for CDR, ensuring alignment with international best practices.
- Facilitate policy dialogue at senior levels with judiciaries, ministries of law and justice, regulators, and business federations to advance reform objectives.
- Oversee capacity building initiatives, including training and professional development for lawyers, judges, mediators, and arbitrators.
- Manage and coordinate project activities, ensuring compliance with EU funding requirements and development cooperation standards.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to promote the use of mediation and arbitration among businesses and regulatory bodies.
- Provide expert advice on legal and institutional reforms in the justice sector, including court administration and case management.
- Engage with EU investors and business networks within the context of Global Gateway or similar investment initiatives, where applicable.

Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Law, Public Policy, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field; alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree with at least 15 years of relevant professional experience.
- Minimum 12 years of experience in areas such as commercial justice and court reform, commercial law and dispute resolution, mediation, business regulatory reform, investment climate improvement, legal and institutional justice sector reform, court administration, or institutional development of courts and ADR centers.
- At least 6 years of experience managing or implementing development cooperation programs, preferably those funded by the EU.
- For leadership roles, a minimum of 3 years’ proven experience as a Team Leader or in a senior management position within technical assistance projects or development cooperation initiatives.
- Excellent command of English, with strong legal drafting and report writing skills.
- Working knowledge of Urdu is considered an advantage.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits
- At least 8 years of experience specifically in designing or implementing commercial dispute resolution reforms in emerging or developing economies, covering at least two of the following: court-annexed mediation, arbitration institutions, commercial courts, or ADR legislation and regulatory frameworks.
- Minimum 5 years of experience engaging in policy dialogue at senior levels with judicial and governmental bodies or business federations.
- Proven track record of capacity building and professional development for legal professionals over at least 3 years.
- Experience working on EU-funded projects for at least 3 years.
- Familiarity with development cooperation projects in Pakistan or other common-law jurisdictions in South Asia is highly desirable.
- Experience with reform processes in federal systems featuring provincial variations in laws, courts, and regulators is an advantage.
- Experience engaging EU investors or business networks within Global Gateway or comparable investment initiatives is beneficial.

Only shortlisted candidates, particularly senior experts with extensive professional experience in the relevant fields, will be contacted for further consideration.