Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights Specialist

BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. 

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.  

 

 

OFFICE/UNIT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Crisis Bureau guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response, and recovery.

 

The Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights Specialist is one of the experts in the Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights knowledge domain. S/he is based in the Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa in Dakar and reports to the Governance and Peacebuilding Advisor while also being a team member of, and regularly liaising with the team Rule of law, justice and human rights for sustainable peace and developments at the Crisis Bureau, as part of the GPN. He/she will provide intellectual and strategic engagement as well as technical guidance on Rule of Law and Human Rights issues for UNDP, and represent UNDP in the wider Rule of Law and Human Rights community of practice, in particular, within the UNDP-DPKO Global Focal Point for Rule of Law arrangement and the Tripartite Partnership (TPP – UNDP, OHCHR and the Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions), with bilateral partners, external experts, etc. 

 

Working to ensure quality and coherent policy and programme advisory services within their region and across other regions, as well as alignment with the Strategic Plan, the ROLSHR Specialist advances the credibility and recognition of UNDP’s capabilities in this knowledge domain and associated community of practice.  The Specialist will work closely with the Rule of Law, Justice, and Human Rights community of practice across UNDP to support corporate learning and, in particular, the implementation of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace & Fostering Development.

 

In collaboration with other Advisors and Specialists in the Sub-Regional Platform in Dakar, RSCA, HQ, Country Offices, Global Policy Centers, and rosters of external advisors, s/he is responsible for leading the provision of technical expertise and policy and programme advisory services to Country Offices, supports the implementation of the regional programme and, where appropriate, with key UN and external partners.  S/he responds to requests from Country Offices and under the guidance of the Head of the Sub-Regional Platform, and in collaboration with corporate support providers, such as the Country Support Management Team, the Crisis and Fragility Engagement and Policy Team and the SDG integrator Team.

 

 

SCOPE OF WORK

The Rule of Law, Justice & Human Rights Specialist is expected to perform the following duties:

 

1. Substantive delivery of technical assistance/advice, policy development and programme support

• Provide policy advisory and programming services primarily to COs within the region, that respond to country office needs, including through the provision of capacity building and backstopping to COs and UNCTs.
• Work with the Regional Bureau’s Country Advisors to ensure relevant, timely and multi-disciplinary response to Country needs for policy services.
• Support programming and implementation of the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace & Fostering Development and the UNDP Renewed Governance and Peacebuilding Framework.
• Collaborate substantively with COs and Regional Programmes to achieve regional/CO strategic goals and plans by supporting relevant regional initiatives and promoting synergies with the regional programmes.
• Support COs and RSCA in project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and results reporting in line with RBM guidelines, and support quality assurance, risk management and due diligence processes.
• Provide sector specific and technical policy advice for crisis situations in coordination with the Country Support Management Team.
• Provide support to COs conducting and engaging in assessments related to all forms of crisis response, such as post-crisis, capacity and crisis-related/fragility assessments in coordination with the Country Support Management Team and the Fragility Engagement and Policy Team.
• Ensure policy and programmatic risks are monitored and managed across the portfolio of advisory engagements including UNSDCF formulation and implementation.
• Contribute to developing the capacity of national counterparts in support of achieving the Strategic Plan and other internationally agreed development goals as it relates to the Rule of Law and Human Rights knowledge domains.
• Provide policy advisory and programming services COs in other regions as requested by the Crisis Bureau and in agreement with the direct supervisor and the Team Leader for Rule of law, justice and human rights for sustainable peace and development.
• Provide substantive inputs in the development of UNDP’s policies for the thematic area and contribute to the formulation of global policy products.

 

2. Substantive development of tools and resources, from across UNDP’s network of expertise

•    Provide technical expertise in identifying tools, developing methodologies, and producing knowledge management products linked to crisis-related rule of law, justice, and human rights.

•    Provide technical expertise on the content development for regional/CO knowledge products through the analysis of data, case evidence, and research findings in accordance with corporate standards. 

•    Contribute to the identification and scoping of technical issues warranting collaboration with HQ and regional teams to research, develop and share knowledge-based tools, such as policy positions/practice notes/concept papers and other research-based products to influence/advance policy dialogue in the knowledge domain and present UNDP’s knowledge assets and capabilities at global and regional forums. 

•    Work closely with policy teams in RSCA and HQ to advance research, testing and roll-out of newly commissioned policy/business development initiatives, by providing the regional perspective/specificities as well as experience-based insights on what is of most practical value for national counterparts and regional leaders. 

•    Design and deliver training on programming tools including by developing training packs for COs to facilitate innovation learning, foster and encourage policy innovation and continuous improvement to enhance programme delivery.

 

3. Knowledge management and community of practice networking

• Contribute to the continuous analysis, documentation, codification of regional results/lessons learned.
• Review regional data, case evidence and research findings to distill pivotal lessons for UNDP globally.
• Advocate and enable South-South facilitation of exchanges and experiences sharing where valuable.
• Support the capacity development of UNDP staff in application of tools and practices.
• Development and strengthening of linkages with Peacebuilding and Governance Community of practice, both inside and outside of the UN system.

 

4. Advocacy and partner engagement for effective policy positioning in the region

• Advocate the application of ground-breaking ROL and Human Rights-based approaches, especially as an integrated approach to achieving the SDGs, in various regional and country fora with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms.
• Represent UNDP within engagements in interagency coordination in ROL and Human Rights policy areas and in particular support the UNDP-DPO Global Focal Point arrangement and the Tripartite partnership of UNDP, OHCHR and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
• Advise on resource mobilization/financial assistance as required and coordinate approvals as required.
• Provide technical advice on relationship management of regional partners and resource mobilization in line with Crisis Bureau priorities and corporate guidelines.
• Develop communication tools for enhanced capacities on ROLSHR and strategic positioning of UNDP work in this area of practice.
• Provide technical advice on mobilizing and fostering external partnerships behind regional initiatives.
• Manage the building of strategic alliances and partnerships, especially with key think tanks and non-governmental organizations.
• Ensure UNDP/Crisis Bureau Representation at inter-agency meetings, academic conferences, donor consultations and other events.
• Collaborate with UNDP advisors / programme managers and country-based Peace and Development Advisors.
• Support to promote the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus in the region to advance the Leave no one behind (LNOB) agenda.

 

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation. 

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The Rule of Law, Justice & Human Rights Specialist is based in the Sub-Regional Hub for West and Central Africa in Dakar and reports to the Governance and Peacebuilding Advisor. 

 

S/he is also a team member of, and regularly liaising with the team Rule of law, justice and human rights for sustainable peace and development at the Crisis Bureau and collaborates with the Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights team of the Regional Center Service for Africa based in Addis Abeba. 

 

 

COMPETENCIES

Core
Achieve Results:	LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
Adapt with Agility:	LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
Act with Determination:	LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
Engage and Partner:	LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
Enable Diversity and Inclusion:	LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area	Name	Definition
Business Direction & Strategy	Strategic Thinking	Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions; Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
Business Direction & Strategy	System Thinking	Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system
Business Development	Knowledge Facilitation	Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally
Business Management	Project Management	Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve specific goals
Business Management	Communication	Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels
Partnership management	Relationship Management	Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding