Background

UNDP/PAPP (Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People) is seeking suitable candidates for the position of Technical Specialist - Rule of Law, Justice and Security. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager and the overall supervision and guidance of the Team Leader/Senior Governance Adviser, the Technical Specialist will contribute to the implementation of the UNDP/UN Women Joint Programme, Strengthening the Rule of Law in the oPt: Justice and Security for the Palestinian People (2014-2017).

Part of the broader UNDP/PAPP Governance portfolio, this Joint Programme aims to develop and maintain the conditions for a viable Palestinian state based on the rule of law and principles of gender equality. The Programme will work to enhance the capacities of, and public confidence in, rule of law institutions, and strengthen access to justice, security and protection services, especially for women and girls. Interventions are designed with a view to sustainability and linking activities to ‘system-level’ policy development.

Support rests on a supply and demand equation that combines enhanced service delivery by resilient justice and security institutions with the public’s ability to access such services and hold duty-bearers to account. By increasing public confidence in the sector, support is designed to be catalytic, strengthening state-society relations and creating an enabling environment for development. Interventions are informed by a coherent theory of change and characterised by flexibility and responsiveness to institutional changes as a result of political developments.

The Programme is oriented around the following seven mutually reinforcing interventions:

• Capacity of justice and security institutions strengthened and linkages forged;
• Civil society contribution to rule of law and community access to justice in the West Bank enhanced;
• Civil society contribution to the rule of law and community access to justice in the Gaza Strip enhanced;
• Gender responsiveness of justice, security and legislative actors strengthened;
• Women and girls access to justice and security improved by ensuring accountable service provision to prevent, protect and respond to violence, and by addressing their broader legal needs;
  
• Juvenile justice and adherence to child rights improved;
• Capacity of key actors and stakeholders to monitor progress and results in rule of law development increased.

The Programme builds on the achievements and findings of its predecessors: the UNDP Rule of Law & Access to Justice Programme in the oPt (2010-2014), the UNDP/EUPOL COPPS Joint Programme (2012-2014), and the UN Women Project on Support for Delivery of Security and Justice Services for Women (2011-2014). Importantly, the Programme uses baselines captured during these earlier programmes as a means to monitor results and inform future planning.

 The Technical Specialist (Rule of Law, Justice and Security) will be responsible for the management and implementation and delivery of key components under the programme’s Outcome 1 (Capacity of Rule of Law Institutions Strengthened), especially related to engagement with the Palestinian Civil Police, the broader security sector, and the Palestinian Anticorruption Commission (PACC), as well as for supporting the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager in the management and implementation of the other programme components in the West Bank.                                

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide policy advice and technical assistance to the Palestinian Civil Police, the Anti-Corruption Commission and Corruption Crimes Court and other institutional partners as required;
• Help strengthen the capacity of the Palestinian Civil Police to pursue its reform agenda, in line with the National Security Strategy (2014-2016) and the PCP Strategy, in particular as it relates to issues of institutional development, accountability and oversight, juvenile and judicial police functions;
• Facilitate change management processes in partner institutions, including by providing high-quality advice based on international best practices;
• Train and support relevant security and broader rule of law sector personnel in organisational development methods and tools;
• Assist the PACC to develop policy options and practices based on the models suggested by regional and international best practices;
• Support the establishment of stronger working relations between security and justice sector institutions to ensure greater coordination and cooperation across the broader rule of law sector;
• Ensure proper information-sharing, coordination and cooperation with other development actors, including EUPOL COPPS and the Programme’s donors/development partners;
• Support the development of a comprehensive M&E framework to measure the performance of the PCP, PACC and other relevant institutions;
• Provide technical advice and assistance to relevant civil society organisations to develop their capacity to provide effective oversight of justice and security institutions and strengthen public outreach and awareness of corruption and accountability issues;
• In close coordination with the M&E Analyst, ensure regular monitoring and evaluation of UNDP’s support to security and justice sector institutions;
• Provide ‘upstream’ technical support and assistance to the UNDP/PAPP Governance team in relation to security and justice related issues;
• Perform any other duties as required by the Chief Technical Specialist and/or the Team Leader/Senior Governance Advisor.

• Support the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager in his/her functions to oversee and manage programme implementation functions, including budget and finance management, work planning, procurement, recruitment, monitoring and evaluation and reporting functions;
• Support the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager in his/her functions to coordinate and manage the overall delivery of the programme in an effective and efficient manner, working closely with the Palestinian Authority, civil society organisations, academic institutions, UN agencies and entities, and donors/development partners; 
• Help prepare annual work plans, human resources plan, procurement plans in line with the programme outputs and objectives;
• Closely monitor the delivery status and prepare written monthly progress updates - both narrative and financial - in relation to the agreed work plan and implementation strategy;
• Support and assist the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager in resource mobilisation efforts, including by developing a strategy in this area;
• Provide strategic guidance on activity planning, implementation strategies and future programme orientation;
• Provide support in advancing thematic coordination, including by identifying programmatic entry points and by ensuring consistency and complementarity in relation to other UNDP and UN Women programmes;
• Help ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues into the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of all programme activities;
• Represent UNDP in interagency working groups and forums, including the Security Sector WG.

• Help ensure integrity of financial and administrative procedures as well as a consistent application of UNDP procedures, rules and regulations;
• Submit monthly delivery updates to the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager on financial delivery performance;
• Support the Chief Technical Specialist/Programme Manager Provide in providing leadership and oversight to ensure that qualitative services are provided to national partners, including by putting in place fair and transparent procurement processes and by providing efficient operational support.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN 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 favouritism; 
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills; 
• Completes IPSAS training and certification in results-based management (RBM).

• Promotes a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the office; 
• In-depth knowledge of development issues; 
• Ability to provide and advocate for policy advice; 
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more UNDP Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills; 
• Sound knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programmes in crisis and post-crisis situations.

• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and programmes;
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office software and experience with web-based management systems.

• 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; 
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors; 
• Remains calm, in control and good-humoured even under pressure; 
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

• Communicates effectively with staff at all levels of the organisation; 
• Acts with tact and diplomacy;
• Proves outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels;
• Remains calm, in control and good-humoured, even under pressure;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Demonstrates excellent political/conflict analysis;
• Possesses the ability to convey difficult issues and positions to (senior) counterparts and officials.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Master’s Degree in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences or related field.

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in the area of rule of law and/or security sector reform.
• Experience of working in conflict/post-conflict settings;
• Extensive experience in change management, preferably in a security sector environment, with an up-to-date knowledge of contemporary organisational development principles and approaches;
• Sound knowledge of UNDP’s procedures, rules and regulations;
• High-level planning, facilitation, communication and capacity development skills with a demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge and skills in a complex institutional environment;
• Proven ability to work effectively with people at all levels of an organisation, maximising coordination and cooperation;
• Sound analytical skills on political, legal, social, cultural and other relevant issues.

• Fluency in English, including excellent writing skills;
• Working knowledge of Arabic would constitute an advantage.