Background

Following Yemen’s political unrest of 2011, and the signing of the Gulf Cooperation Council peace initiative in November of that year, the Republic of Yemen has embarked on a two-year transition agenda. Against the backdrop of this political transition, and the request of the Yemeni authorities, the United Nations has articulated a Joint UN Framework to Support the Transition in Yemen, 2012-2014, which provides an important basis for UN assistance during this period. In this context, Rule of Law (RoL) has been identified as a key priority for Yemen, and for international assistance. In explicit contribution to this transition agenda, UNDP has developed a broad strategic programme of assistance in the areas of RoL, justice and security, human rights and transitional justice. The project Support to the Implementation of Transitional Justice represents one component of this overall strategic support.

The overall objective of this project is to assist the Government of Yemen and other national stakeholders in developing their transitional justice initiatives based on the comprehensive approach and reflecting international standards and comparative experiences. The project looks to support the national TJ process from design through implementation, giving due attention to building capacity of governmental institutions and civil society and issues of communication and outreach between formal processes and national dialogue, but also to supporting various commissions of enquiry and establishment and functioning of a truth commission. The project is implemented directly by UNDP in close collaboration with OHCHR, Ministry of Legal Affairs and other key strategic stakeholders. Finally, this project will take advantage of the added value of other UN agencies and other agencies working on Transitional Justice related issues in Yemen.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under overall supervision of the Governance Team Leader, direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor-Transitional Justice, the incumbent is to create, together with an international specialist, a programme concept paper on gender issues in the framework of transitional justice, with focus on situation and real needs of citizens of Yemen.

• Analyze domestic legal/programmatic framework, CSOs reports and other relevant documentation pertinent to gender and transitional justice;
• Create a research plan, together with the international consultant;
• Take a lead in the field research;
• Create programme concept paper, together with the international consultant;
• Present the programme concept paper to various stakeholders.  
  

The objective of creation of the programme concept paper is to assist civil society, institutions of governance and future investigative bodies (truth commission and Commission of Inquiry into events of 2011) to create adequate gender related programmes that will 1) address gender based violence on the proper way and 2) contribute to improving position of women in Yemeni society, relevant to transitional justice area.  

Description of responsibilities

Working under overall supervision of the Governance Team Leader and direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor-Transitional Justice the incumbent is to provide the following services:

• Analyze relevant domestic documentation: the national consultant is to express in-depth knowledge of domestic legal/programmatic framework, CSOs reports and other relevant documentation pertinent to the topic;
• Create the research and interviewing plan: Together with the international specialist, the national consultant is to create the research plan, justification and tentative list of local experts, representatives of CSOs and governmental institutions and representatives of international community, based in Yemen to be interviewed for the purpose of creation of the programme concept paper;
• Conduct field research and launching: Throughout the assignment, based on research plan agreed with the international consultant, the national consultant will be particularly focused on interviewing local experts, representatives of CSOs and governmental institutions throughout Yemen, as well as representatives of international community, based in Yemen. Research activity is in one of key deliverables of the national consultant. Together with international consultant, the national consultant will present findings to stakeholders from government and CSOs and actively participate on two-days conference on gender and TJ;
• Write the programme concept paper: the national consultant is expected to write parts of the document which cover domestic legal/policy framework etc. Together with the international consultant, the national consultant will structure introductory parts, executive summary, conclusions and recommendations. It is expected that the national and international consultant thoroughly comment parts of the document which are not their prime responsibility, in order to create document that will be result of team work;
• Organize conference on gender and TJ: Together with the international consultant, the national consultant will be involved in organizing two-days conference on gender and TJ. The National consultant, together with international consultant will create tentative agenda and programme of the event and contribute in creation of participants list.

Deliverables and timelines

The consultant is responsible for the following deliverables:

• Creation of the research plan, justification and tentative list of local experts, representatives of government, local CSOs and international experts based in Yemen.
• Field work – interviewing local stakeholders and representatives of international organisations based in Yemen.
•  Creation of the programme concept paper as stated in Description of responsibilities – scope of work.
• Organization of two-days conference on gender and TJ.
• Presentation of findings to stakeholders from government and active participation in two-days conference on gender and TJ.
  

Competencies

• Knowledge and understanding of transitional justice and its mechanisms, with particular focus on gender in TJ framework;
• Knowledge and understanding of international legal, programmatic and expert documents related to gender
• Substantial experience in gender area;
• Political intuition – ability to grasp political dimensions of the context that will permeate and influence the process
• A collaborative work style;
• Excellent communication skills.

• 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;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum university degree in law, gender studies, political science, international relations, social sciences, communications or other relevant degree;
• MA is preferred, but not a must.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in broad human rights area (preferably in TJ area) and substantial experience in gender issue;
• Candidates who are proven women’s rights activists are particularly encouraged to apply.
  

Language:

• Excellent command in Arabic and English (written and spoken) is must;
• In case that UNDP do not receive applications of candidates who are skilful in English as required, UNDP will consider applications of exceptional candidates with limited English speaking ability.

Documents to be submitted

Applicants are required to submit an application including:

• Letter of interest/Proposal:Explain why do you consider yourself as the most suitable candidate for the work (cover letter);Provide a brief methodology/plan of tasks on how you will approach and conduct the work;
• Personal CV or P11  including past experience in similar projects and contact details (e-mail addresses) of referees
• Financial proposal indicating your consultancy fee, lump sum fee or unit price depending on the nature and complexity of the assignment.

While creating financial proposal, national applicants should particularly pay attention on field trips expenditures (travel and accommodation), since one of her/his primary focus will be field research.  

Award Criteria

Ranking will be based on the combined results of the conducted desk review on requested qualifications, interview and financial offer. Only financial offers of candidates who are invited on an interview will be taken into consideration for evaluation. The technical proposal will account for the 70% of the final score, while financial offer will account for 30% of the final score.

The technical proposal is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the ToR (CV and cover letter), interview and a methodology/plan of tasks how the candidate will approach and conduct the work.