UNDP Jobs - 50998- Consultancy - UN Integrated Rule of Law Processes

Consultancy - UN Integrated Rule of Law Processes

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

17-Nov-2014

Application Deadline :

12-Nov-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

25 days within six months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 days within six months

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

At the start of 2012, UNDP launched Phase II of its Global Programme for Rule of Law, Justice and Security: “Strengthening the Rule of Law in Crisis-Affected and Fragile Situations, 2012-2015” (Global Programme), which provides technical, operational and financial support to UNDP Country Offices to implement comprehensive rule of law, justice and security programmes in countries affected by conflict, disaster, violence and fragility, and represents a framework for UNDP’s renewed contribution to strengthening the UN to work together in this important area. In September 2012, the United Nations Secretary-General designated the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the Global Focal Point for the Police, Justice and Corrections Areas in the Rule of Law in Post-conflict and other Crisis Situations (GFP). The Secretary-General has prioritized “delivery as one” by the United Nations in crisis and conflict settings, and the GFP arrangement will strengthen the United Nations’ ability to fill critical civilian capacity gaps in rule of law fields in the aftermath of conflict. As such, the GFP arrangement provides a scaffolding to improve impact at each stage of the lifecycle of rule of law interventions in post-conflict situations, including during transition from a peacekeeping operation to another form of UN peacebuilding presence, such as a special political mission, or to a development-oriented presence. Implementation of related rule of law support in mission settings draws upon i) mission resources funded by appropriations approved by the General Assembly and assessed on member states; and ii) UNDP resources financed by voluntary contributions. In order to facilitate the integrated delivery of rule of law support envisaged in the GFP arrangement, it is necessary to define the related funding and administrative arrangements required, as well as to develop efficient processes at headquarters and in the field for the design, and budgeting of such support.

In order to facilitate the implementation of this joint approach and to draw on existing good practices, the GFP core team has begun to compile existing policies, tools, and processes to establish best practices for integrated assessments, planning, implementation and transitions by GFP partners. In doing so, the UNDP Global Programme team in its contribution to the GFP has encountered a series of constraints for fully integrated activities, such as the differences in business processes between GFP partners, particularly in the areas of human resources, financial administration, and programme implementation. Ambiguity and/or inflexibility in allocation, reallocation and rearrangement of UN funding is another issue that has arisen. An immediate barrier to overcoming these obstacles is insufficient understanding of the challenges and opportunities to facilitate joint activities.

UNDP has sought to address some of these challenges by recently commissioning a report on “UN Transitions in Mission Settings,” which has elaborated on the conditions and procedures under which mission resources may be deployed through United Nations Country Team members in implementation of mission mandates. While the GFP arrangement does not involve changes to the financing arrangements for participating entities, the former issue may be relevant to the UNDP Global Programme insofar as its competencies may be drawn upon to support missions deliver their mandates.

In developing this cooperation further, UNDP is engaged in designing specific mission interventions in cooperation with missions and DPKO and DPA, as well as in defining business processes, incorporating budgetary and administrative arrangements, for rule of law initiatives through the GFP, in close cooperation with its programme specialists on GFP matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP is seeking to recruit a Global Programme consultant to contribute to this work. The objective of the consultancy will thus be to:

Develop guidance on the funding and administrative arrangements to be applied in mission settings, including guidance on what mission budgets might reasonably be expected to fund in the context of joint programming;
Identify interoperability constraints for priority resolution;
Prepare guidance for UNDP personnel on the conditions and procedures applicable to the deployment through UNDP of mission resources;
Develop support to UNDP for discussions with the UN on funding and administrative aspects of specific missions; and
Contribute to the development of business processes (to be defined with the programme specialists and the RoLJS Advisor) for discussion at a GFP Retreat in January 2015.

Deliverables

Paper on funding and administrative arrangements in mission settings, including funding role of each actor and staffing issues and interoperability priorities;
Input paper on GFP Business Processes for discussion at GFP Retreat;
Guide on accessing mission funding for mission mandated tasks;
Paper on lessons learned for individual mission design.

Competencies

Excellent interpersonal skills and communications skills;
Excellent planning and organisational skills;
Excellent English writing and editing skills.
Good analytical, problem solving, negotiation, and diplomatic skills;
Knowledge of UN financial regulations and rules and understanding of the concerns of member states as expressed through legislative bodies;
Ready to work flexible schedules throughout the consultancy term;
Sound knowledge of political, social and humanitarian context in which BCPR works;
Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of the UN;
Displays sensitivity and adaptability; treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Ability to produce and present clear and compelling analysis in writing.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree (Master) in political science, history, or international affairs, or analogous fields that demonstrate well developed analytic ability;
A bachelor's degree plus relevant knowledge and experience may be accepted in lieu of a master's degree.

Experience:

15 years of professional experience, including with the UN, in the area of UN financing;
Strong knowledge of UN system policies, regulations and rules regarding financing for crisis and post-crisis situations and familiarity with the civilian capacity review;
Knowledge and experience of UN intergovernmental processes and procedures for consideration of mission budgets, including the General Assembly and the ACABQ;
Experience with computers and the office software packages required for the assignment;
Experience in facilitating team building and business planning in the UN, including on issues related to the rule of law, peacekeeping, crisis response and conflict-prevention;
Strong inter-personal skills and a demonstrated capacity to forge effective relations with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds;
Proven ability to effectively function in a multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment;
Knowledge of UNDP/BPPS reporting requirements / external relations and communications approaches.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required;
Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.