UNDP Jobs

UNDP’s democratic governance practice focuses on fostering inclusive participation, strengthening responsive governing institutions, and promoting democratic principles. Inclusive participation expands equal opportunities for engagement by the poor, women, youth, indigenous people, and other marginalized groups who are excluded from power. Efforts in this area aim to strengthen opportunities for civic engagement in the core channels linking people and the state, at the national, regional and local levels.

Work on governing institutions has traditionally emphasized the design and functions of the core pillars of the state, including the legislative, executive and judicial branches, at national, regional and local levels. Strengthening responsive governing institutions entails promoting the core channels of representation and accountability in the state at the national, regional and local levels. Responsive institutions mean that the state reflects and serves the needs, priorities, and interests of all people, including women, the poor, youth, and minorities.

Supporting national partners to strengthen democratic practices grounded in human rights, anti-corruption and gender equality require UNDP leadership in promoting integration, coordination and information-sharing of policies, practices, and strategies strengthening democratic governance within and outside of the UN family.

In the Asia-Pacific region, justice and human rights related programme initiatives are particularly important. There are many countries which are transitioning to more democratic forms of governance. Conflict prevention and more durable peace hinge upon the ability of the state to provide access to justice, so that people can believe that justice is done. In countries where justice systems have been long-established, there remain the challenges of overcoming several negative aspects of colonial legacies, and connecting state and non-state justice systems. Moreover, with reference to economic and social rights of people, equity and justice (more than prosperity, growth or wealth) is the opposite of poverty.

The policy advisor is expected to encourage the inclusion of principles of gender equality and non-discrimination in the policy and legal frameworks of countries supported by the APRC. Working with other practices to enhance capacity to promote these principles, the policy advisor is expected to focus on promoting the human rights based approach to access to justice to vulnerable groups, and on policies and actions that can empower women by enhancing their participation and representation in all public institutions, including the executive, legislature and judiciary.

The Governance, Justice and Human Rights Adviser leads the provision of technical assistance to UNDP Country Offices and development of justice and human rights initiatives in the Asia region. Under the supervision of the Democratic Governance Practice Team Leader at the UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre, the Adviser will assume responsibility for the following functions and expected key results:

1. Policy Advisory Services
2. Knowledge Management, Research and Content Development;
3. Policy Development;
4. ractice Management/Co-ordination; and 
5. Partnerships, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization

Policy Advisory Services:

• Lead the provision of policy advisory services to UNDP Country Offices (CO) in the area of governance, access to justice and human rights; focusing on legal and constitutional reform; justice sector reforms; training of the judiciary; strengthening ministries of justice and relevant state institutions; enhancing access to justice for the poor and otherwise disadvantaged groups; security sector reform, strengthening of human rights policies and systems in the Asia region, and promoting human rights-based approaches to development;
• Provide policy advice and technical guidance to and collaborate substantively with regional/country focal points to help achieve democratic governance strategic goals and implement access to justice and human rights supported programmes;
• Provide direct technical advice, backstopping and training to COs, UNCTs, Regional Centres and Regional Bureaux;
• Provide programme support related to the design, implementation oversight and results & M&E;
• Contribute to developing the capacity of national counterparts in the justice sector and human rights in support of achieving sustainable development goals grounded in principls of non-discrimination and gender equality;
• Assist Country Offices in establishing UNDP as a key player and leader in the field of access to justice and human rights programmes, and in coordination between national justice institutions, governments and international partners for enhanced integrated, and holistic approaches to justice sector and human rights interventions;
• Facilitate the engagement of governments, justice institutions, human rights bodies, Country Offices and regional programmes with civil society, including women’s groups, indigenous peoples and minorities; and provide advice on civic engagement, participatory approaches and civil society capacity development engaged in the field of access to justice , rule of law and human rights;
• Contribute to building internal and external communities of practice through partnership building, communications, and outreach to other practices, and Regional Bureaux focal points, UN partners and other relevant organizations; develop networks with UN country team working in the democratic governance and related thematic areas; 
• Exercise quality assurance for policy services, capture and promote lessons/good practices and build knowledge through practice workspaces, rosters of experts/institutional partners and other tools to strengthen team capacities and foster policy innovation to enhance programme delivery.

Knowledge Management, Research and Content Development: 

• Conduct analysis of data (including gender analysis), case evidence and research findings to distill relevant lessons and collaborate with other APRC practice teams;
• Generate based upon research and analysis, innovative operational concepts aimed at widening UN/UNDP policy/programming tools;
• Develop, test and roll out tools and methodologies at country level within the framework of national development plans, PRSPs and justice and rule of law reform processes to provide “how to” guidance and ensure standards, using international human rights standards where possible;
• Research, develop and share knowledge-based tools, such as policy positions/practice notes/concept papers and other research papers to help influence policy dialogue that advances access to justice for poor and disadvantaged women and men, and present such material at global and regional forums.

Policy Development:

• Contribute to corporate policy development in the field of access to justice, rule of law, human rights and democratic governance practices relevant to security systems and citizen safety with appropriate attention to women’s safety and security;
• Contribute to corporate policy and guidance in focus area;
• Provide substantive inputs to international fora to help shape global and regional development strategies, policies, norms and standards;
• Develops tools to enable application of global policy standards in UNDP-supported programmes related to justice and human rights.

Practice Management/Co-ordination:

• Work closely with the Regional Practice Leader to develop work plans, monitor/report progress in justice and human rights in line with practice strategic goals and within the practice resource framework and agreed work programme;
• Provide programme management/oversight, including development/management of the access to justice and human rights component of the regional governance programme and manage related human resources if applicable;
• Mobilize and manage financial resources, including for Trust-Funds;
• Build and nurture communities of practice in focus areas, including cross-regional/practice collaboration; support knowledge management in the related thematic/focus area;
• Provide results reporting and other management obligations for corporate planning/management processes of UNDP, UN system and trust funds’ governing boards;
• Enlist management solutions to troubleshoot programme delivery difficulties and share best practices.

Partnerships, Advocacy and Resource Mobilization: 

• Develop practice business plan in the area access to justice and human rights, and forge/implement successfully strategic partnerships with UN and external partner institutions – Governments, private sector, academia, NGOs, CSOs.);
• Provide substantive and content leadership in UNDP corporate, regional discussions and inter-agency coordination on practice issues;
• Mobilize external partnerships behind UNDP initiatives;
• Advocate the importance of access to justice and human rights in various fora with a view to deepen related political commitment and related reforms and enforcement mechanisms;
• Lead the design of material and promote initiatives for advocacy and policy dialogue in access to justice and rule of law including democratic governance aspects related to security systems and nurture partnerships with academia and civil society to develop the content;
• Support the Regional Practice Leader in providing intellectual leadership of practice in the field of access to justice and human rights.
  

• Knowledge and expertise in democratic governance, access to justice, human rights and rule of law, and in particular in applying democratic principles in development policies and programmes. The candidate should have significant experience in providing practical advice to policy makers; be able to work well with counterparts in government, human rights institutions, judicial bodies, civil society, the private sector, academia, and the donor community; and know how to contribute to building national capacity for development.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships, and good working knowledge of information and computer technology. While representing UNDP views, the candidate should also be able to provide coordination among the UN family of agencies.

Technical Competencies:

Substantive and technical expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Mainstreaming Human Rights to development programming;
• Capacity development of National Human Rights Institutions;
• Experience in applying the human rights based approach to access to justice; 
• Facilitating training programmes on human rights and justice; 
• Knowledge of developing and conducting access to justice assessments; 
• Facilitating UN knowledge networks of technical experts and practitioners; 
• Formulating and evaluating justice and human rights programmes at the country level; 
• Experience of developing partnerships with regional civil society networks as well as interagency partnerships; 
• Knowledge of gender issues in the region.

Managerial competencies:

• Ability to establish effective working relations in multi-cultural team environments;
• Excellent supervisory, team-working, team-building, diplomatic and international skills;
• Resourcefulness, initiative and mature judgment.

Behavioural competencies:

• Strong verbal and written communication and advocacy skills;
• Ability to work in a complex environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors; 
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
  
• Excellent analytical, organizational and negotiation skills, especially resource management systems;
• Excellent networking skills.

Education:

• Master degree in law, economics, political science, sociology or another international development related area.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of professional involvement in democratic governance related work, including policy and programme development, with specialized interest in rule of law and human rights.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English;
• Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

REMARK:

• This is Development Project Funded (DPF) position; 
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.