UNDP Jobs - 56769- Programme Specialist – Rule of Law, Justice and Se

Programme Specialist – Rule of Law, Justice and Security

Location :

East Jerusalem, PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

Type of Contract :

FTA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

09-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-3

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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/PAPP (Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People) is seeking suitable candidates for the position of Programme Specialist – Rule of Law, Justice and Security. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Joint Programme Manager, the Programme 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 Joint 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 Joint 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 Joint Programme uses baselines captured during these earlier programmes as a means to monitor results and inform future planning.

The Programme Specialist (Rule of Law, Justice and Security) will be responsible for the management, implementation and delivery of key components under the programme’s Outcome 1 (Capacity of Rule of Law Institutions Strengthened) as well as for supporting the Joint Programme Manager in the management and implementation of the other programme components in the West Bank. S/he will act as a Deputy Programme Manager in West Bank and is expected to work in close coordination with the Deputy Programme Manager in Gaza.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Management & Implementation:

Support the Joint Programme Manager in her/his functions to oversee and manage all programme implementation functions in the West Bank, including budget and finance management, work planning, procurement, recruitment, monitoring and evaluation and reporting functions;
Support the Joint Programme Manager in her/his functions to coordinate and manage the overall delivery of the Joint Programme in an effective and efficient manner, working closely with the Palestinian Authority, civil society organizations, academic institutions, UN agencies and entities, and donors/development partners;
Prepare annual work plans, a human resource plan and 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 relationto the agreed work plan and implementation strategy. Contribute to the preparation of the Quarterly progress reports;
Support and assist the Joint Programme Manager in resource mobilization efforts, including by developing a strategy in this area, in coordination with the UNDP/PAPP and Governance Unit strategy for resource mobilisation;
Ensure strict adherence to UNDP procedures, rules and regulations;
Manage human resources issues including hiring and training of staff to ensure satisfactory performance, as well as supervising and assessing performance;
Provide expert technical advice on programme-related issues;
Conduct regular programmatic reviews, including 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 programmes;
Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues into the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of all programme activities.

Policy Advice & Technical Assistance:

Provide policy advice and technical assistance to the Ministry of Justice, the High Judicial Council and the Attorney General’s Office on an ongoing basis;
Help strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Justice to coordinate and lead the process of justice sector reform including strengthening the capacities of the Ministry to plan and carry out consultations with different stakeholders and conduct public awareness campaigns;
Facilitate change management processes, including by providing high-quality advice based on international best practices;
Train and support relevant justice sector personnel in organizational development methods and tools.
Assist the Ministry of Justice with policy options based on the models suggested by the study on linkages between formal and informal justice systems;
Support the establishment of stronger working relations between justice sector institutions to ensure greater coordination and cooperation across the justice sector;
Ensure proper information sharing, coordination and cooperation with other development actors;
Support the development of a comprehensive M&E framework to measure the performance of judicial institutions, in particular the Ministry of Justice;
In close coordination with the M&E analyst, ensure regular monitoring and evaluation of UNDP’s support to the Ministry of Justice and other justice sector institutions;
Perform any other duties as required by the Joint Programme Manager and/or UNDP/PAPP Programme and Senior Management.

Financial & Operational Management:

Ensure integrity of financial and administrative procedures as well as a consistent application of UNDP procedures, rules and regulations;
Supervise requisitions, purchase orders and payment requests in ATLAS, and ensure monthly delivery updates to the Joint Programme Manager on financial delivery performance;
Provide 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.

Impact of Results

Successful implementation of the UNDP/UN Women Joint Programme, Justice and Security, particularly in relation to strengthening of capacities of the High Judicial Council, the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General’s Office and other justice sector institutions and forging strong linkages between the justice and security sectors as articulated in the programme document.

Competencies

Corporate 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).

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes a knowledge-sharing and learning culture in the office;
In-depth knowledge of development and justice sector 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.

Development & Operational Effectiveness:

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

Management & Leadership:

Focuses on impact and results 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;
Fosters a strong team approach to optimize results delivery;
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.

Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills:

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 or equivalent in Law, Public Administration, Political Science, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in managing and implementing legal and judicial reform processes;
Formal qualifications and/or operational exposure/experience in justice sector reform, access to justice, legal reform, legal aid, gender and juvenile justice and/or related issues;
Sound knowledge of UNDP’s procedures, rules and regulations;
Experience of working in conflict/post-conflict settings;
Knowledge of the Palestinian context and/or the Arab region would be an asset;
Extensive experience in change management, preferably in a justice sector environment, with an up-to-date knowledge of contemporary organizational development principles and approaches;
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.

Language:

Fluency in English, including excellent writing skills;
Fluency in Arabic would constitute a strong asset.