UNDP Jobs - 32245- Project Officer – Rule of Law (Open to Somali Nat

Project Officer – Rule of Law (Open to Somali Nationals Only)

Location :

Bossaso, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

08-Apr-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year (with possibility of renewal)

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.

Background

UNDP Somalia’s Programme is strongly focused on post conflict recovery and consolidation of peace. It is composed of two main Programme portfolios:

Governance and Rule of Law
Poverty Reduction and Environmental Protection

The GROLS Programme has six main components: Access to Justice, Civilian Police, and the Joint Programme for local governance, Somali Institutional Development Programme, Constitution and Armed Violence Reduction. The overall goal is to strengthen rule of law, governance and security. Integral to this strategy is the recognition that when progress is lacking in one of these areas it has a detrimental effect on the sustainability of achievements in the others.

Over the past several years, the Access to Justice component has strengthened institutions through training and infrastructure rehabilitation. These initiatives were complemented by an approach which included legal empowerment and confidence-building of the Somali public, including legal clinics, legal aid, support to long term legal education as well as awareness raising at community levels. The Access to Justice Project is engaged in building and improving the capacities of the criminal justice system.

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Head of Sub Office and the direct technical guidance of the Bossaso Head of Field Office, the incumbent will be responsible for coordinating the Bosasso Project Management Specialist (Rule of Law) in the implementation of the UNDP’s rule of law initiatives, including managing initiatives in training of Judges, Prosecutors and Defense Counsel, building the capacities of the High Judicial Council (the ruling body of the Judiciary), improving capacities of Criminal Investigation Department and legal defense efforts. The Incumbent will also help the Bosasso Project Management Specialist (Rule of Law)to ensures the smooth running of the office

The incumbent works on a daily basis with colleagues in the UNDP CO and at the project level, necessitating that the incumbent be able to develop and maintain viable working relationships with colleagues across the organization and counterparts, and be able to work with them in a responsive client orientation and in a problem solving mode. He/She will implement activities in Work-plans agreed with counterparts and may be called upon to assist other projects in the Rule of Law and Security Programme as well as be working closely with National Access to Justice Staff and members of the Rule of Law Team in Garowe. He/she will also develop national planning processes, national capacities and project formulation. The Incumbent will be expected to work with UNDP Partners to ensure issues relating to gender, juveniles, IDPs and vulnerable groups are mainstreamed into all legal aid programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

Participate in providing Provide analytical and strategic direction to the Access to Justice and Civilian Police projects in Bosasso;
Project Level Coordination
Creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy
Provision of top quality advisory services to the Government and facilitation of knowledge building and management

Provide analytical and strategic direction to the Access to Justice and Civilian Police projects in Bossaso focusing on achievement of the following results:

Providing technical and administrative advice to Bossaso Project Management Specialist (Rule of Law) including monitoring of agreements, drafting internal and external reports, donor briefings, representing UNDP at meetings, focusing on achievement of the following results:
Establishment of legal aid initiatives in prioritized regions
Coordination of rehabilitation projects, including court and police station construction/rehabilitation and Judicial Reform.
Providing technical advice and capacity development to strengthen the judiciary and police, increase access to justice and policing, including developing indicators for measuring improvements in access to justice and policing
Under the guidance of the Project Management Specialist (Rule of Law) to ensure oversight and development of model police stations in Puntland including supervision of training, mentoring of police officers and provision of technical guidance and advice to ensure delivery of this project
Ensuring the delivery of inputs and outputs in line with the project’s approved quarterly work plan (approved by the Project Board) in the context of activities, ensuring proper monitoring and evaluation of the project;
Ensure the procurement of equipment as per requirements of Project activities as stated in the work plan and in line with UNDP rules and regulations
Overseeing administrative and logistical preparation for Project missions and facilitate judiciary and access to justice meetings and missions

Ensures efficient Project Level Coordination, focusing on the achievement of the following results:

Produce quarterly updates of progress, issues and constraints against work plan.Undertake regular monitoring and data collection of project activities.
Builds strong relations with the national counterparts and working with government officials and the UNDP sub-office, serving as a liaison between government officials and the Project Management Provision of technical advice to access to justice partners Provision of knowledge building and management to access to justice project activities, including long term legal education, mobile courts, judicial monitoring inspection scheme, legal aid, training for police, judiciary and prosecution office, engagement with traditional leaders to enhance access to justice for vulnerable groups
Monitoring of project sites, activities and existing agreements; identification of capacity building initiatives to better support & building linkages with Government, UN, Civil Society and Community Actors; ensuring project documents are in compliance with UNDP policies and procedures and reporting on Project progress and constraints
Provides quality advisory services to initiatives UNDP is undertaking with respect to sensitizing customary/traditional mechanisms to basic human rights and gender
Establishing and improving, in collaboration with UNDP and counterparts, a reporting system and formats to assess, measure and report achievements, status of implementation, challenges, etc. of project activities in line with Terms of References of signed agreements
Develop synergies with on-going ROL projects and programmes being implemented by UNDP

Ensures creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

Analysis and research of information on donors, preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for initiation of new projects, active contribution to the overall office effort in resource mobilization.

Provides top quality advisory services to the Government and ensures facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Identification of sources of information related to policy-driven issues. Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Organization of training for the operations/ projects staff on programme issues.
Professional growth through active learning.

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the success of specific areas of cooperation under the UNDP country programme. In particular, the key results have an impact on the design, implementation and outcome of key Access to Justice project activities results under the ROLS portfolio; as well as creation of strategic partnerships and reaching resource mobilization targets.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability apply conceptual models in support of formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
Strong IT skills
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters Degree or equivalent in law, political or social science or related field with 1 year of experience.
A first level university degree with a combination of relevant academic qualifications and 3 years’ experience in political or social sciences may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university.

Experience:

Previous experience working in the UN or International NGO is preferred;
Experience working in a legal capacity or protection related field is desirable but not a requirement;
Experience in project management with proven ability for leadership is desirable but not a requirement;
Experience with formal and informal justice and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is desirable but not a requirement;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (Ms. Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (Ms. Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages .

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Somali required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

FC:30000