UNDP Jobs - 63179- Specialist, SSR(Rule of Law)

Specialist, SSR(Rule of Law)

Location :

Baghdad, IRAQ

Type of Contract :

TA International

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

P-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

364 Days

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 Rule of Law Programme

The UNDP, Iraq Rule of Law Programme is being developed informed by past and on-going interventions aimed at strengthening equal access to justice and security through the development and effective delivery of responsive, accountable and accessible justice and security provision in Iraq. The programme aims to enhance community, institutional and policy resilience to manage and mitigate conflict drivers and maximise opportunities for sustainable peace through the provision of security sector reform and security sector governance including within the context of stabilisation, legal aid and free legal services, legislative reform relevant to enhancing equal access to justice and security, initiatives to promote and support a context specific reconciliation/ transitional justice process, pilot programmatic approaches to justice as prevention and research and analysis to develop an evidence- base and monitor trends in public attitudes around justice and security issues and service delivery in post conflict - Iraq.

Overall UNDP Rule of Law Programme in Iraq combines project implementation at the community level, capacity building, policy reform, networking and advocacy and working with a range of national, regional and international government and non- governmental counterparts.

Security Sector Reform

UNDP has a global mandate to support governments in the area of good governance and Security Sector Reform (SSR), and has significant experience in producing policy advice and support to governments. In Iraq, UNDP has been engaged with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), through its ‘Support to Security Sector Reform Phase -1’ project, since 2012 in efforts to enhance governance and democratic oversight of the security sector in Iraq with a particular focus on supporting GoI to develop a National Security Strategy. (NSS)

As the security environment in Iraq remains complex and challenging, Security Sector Reform (SSR) is a prerequisite for both long-term stability and peace. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been engaged with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA),
through its Support to Security Sector Reform Phase I, to develop a National Security Strategy (NSS). The strategy centralizes the concept of human security and promotes inclusivity and equality, and its development has revealed the immediate and fundamental need for the Government to focus its efforts on developing a SSR plan. Building on from this work, in early 2015, ONSA made a formal request to UNDP to support the Government of Iraq to develop a SSR plan, as outlined in the NSS and consistent with the Government’s reform programme.
Informed by the NSS and ONSA request UNDP and ONSA jointly developed the Support to Security Sector Reform - Phase 11 and the project will support the Government of Iraq (GoI) under three specific outputs: Output 1 :The GoI Plan for Security Sector Reform is developed and the cooperation and coordination mechanisms required for its implementation are established, in line with the measures set out in the National Security Strategy; Output 2: The democratic oversight capacity of the Security and Defense Committee is strengthened and the Committee plays a more active role in SSR; and Output 3: The GoI engagement with civil society in the field of SSR is increased and CSO capacity on SSR is enhanced. Phase II will seek to frame the ways in which the GoI intends to develop an accountable, affordable, representative and responsive security sector that reflects the needs and concerns of all Iraqis.

The proposed programme of work is expected to address the short, medium and long-term priorities needed to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of the Iraqi security sector, and ensure that future SSR interventions are coordinated constructively within one central framework as well as establishing cooperation and coordination mechanisms, strengthening the democratic oversight capacity of the Security and Defence Committee, increasing the Government engagement with civil society, as well as enhancing civil society capacity in the field of security sector reform.

Within this context the National Security Council (NSC) has established the GoI National SSR Committee and aligned ministerial sub- working groups to initiate a process for drafting a GoI SSR plan. The GoI National Security Strategy (NSS) will form the basis for the proposed SSR plan. Since April 2015 to -date, UNDP - ONSA joint programme to Support Security Sector Reform Phase -11 has successfully engaged with a range of strategic partners to enhance joint collaboration on efforts to security sector reform in Iraq and we have reached the critical phase of initiating a process to draft the GoI SSR plan and establish appropriate mechanisms to implement the same.
In view of this critical stage of this long- term reform process, UNDP have therefore identified the need to recruit a SSR Special Advisor provide technical advice and strategic guidance to implement this long-term reform process.

The post holder will be responsible for providing strong support to Rule of Law Programme Manager and relevant government counter parts in the overall implementation of Support to Security Sector Reform Phase -11.
The programme deals with politically sensitive issues in rapidly changing and complex context. In this environment, effective programme development and implementation also involves planning for and managing a range of expected risks. Finally, the post holder must contribute to UN wide processes and discussions to advance UNDP Rule of Law thematic priorities (Justice and Security), cross-cutting issues (Gender Equality, Social Inclusiveness and Human Rights) methodological approaches and overall programme development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme development, technical advice and strategic guidance:

Assist Programme Manager, UNDP SSR team and government counter parts in the development and implementation of the SSR plan including providing regular technical advice and strategic guidance to further refine the plan where appropriate;
Assist Programme Manager, UNDP SSR team and government counter parts to establish coordination and collaborative implementation mechanisms within relevant government agencies to implement the SSR plan;
Deepen programme analysis and understanding of the Iraqi context in relation to broader security provision with a specific emphasis on aspects of civilian policing and community security;
Provide constructive feedback to UNDP SSR team to develop new ideas and initiatives to address the support to security provision thematic priorities related to access security and related issues, including security sector reform and security sector governance; community security and civilian policing aspects;
Promote internal lesson-learning within UNDP Rule of Law programme with a specific emphasis on support to security provision to ensure effective knowledge management on cross–organisational thematic issues (such as human security, gender equality, social cohesion and conflict sensitivity) and functions (such as capacity building, policy advocacy and research, and communications);
Contribute significantly to overall Rule of Law Programme strategy and development by participating in programme planning, resource mobilization and monitoring and other processes.

Networking and partnership and relationship building:

Identify and develop relationships, ensuring regular engagement and coordination, with key strategic partners in government, justice and security and justice sector, civil society and the international community (e.g. SSR strategic partners);
Establish a SSR strategic partner framework with mechanisms for regular information sharing and coordination to strengthen collaborative efforts to support and assist the GoI broader SSR efforts;
Network Develop and manage partnerships with national, regional and international partners, ensuring effective collaboration, relationship building and ?communication.

Competencies

Delivery:

Ability to get things done efficiently and in a timely manner.

People Management:

Ability to guide, mentor and improve performance.

Innovation:

Ability to think creatively and promote innovation.

Team work:

Ability to work as a team and promote collaborative working environment.

Cross- organisational learning:

Promoting lessons- learned and best practice and effective knowledge management.

Respect for diversity:

Proven ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team with respect for diversity.

Decision-making:

Ability to make timely decisions and communicate effectively.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in security studies, Law, international relations, political science or a related field.

Experience:

At least 7 years’ experience in the international development sector with professional experience as acivilian SSR advisor on issues related to security sector development, civilian policing/ community policing and/or community security is essential, professional civilian experience in working on SSR related issues in post-conflict environments is essential;
Experience in providing policy and strategic guidance on SSR and related issues to governments in a multi-lateral setting is necessary;
Proven expertise in the field of programme/strategy design and governance at national level in complex emergency settings is highly desirable;
Extensive experience in handling matters related to national and political reconciliation is highly desirable;
Good understanding of discourses on justice and security sector development, statebuilding and stabilization, eacebuilding, governance and of the international policy environment in which these issues are addressed;
Ability to plan strategically and think creatively.
Excellent communication skills, including experience of communicating effectively across cultures ?and with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
Proven experience of working in partnership with a range of national and international actors and NGOs/INGOs and networks would be an advantage.
Previous work experience in the Middle East Region would be an advantage.

Language:

Excellent command of both written and spoken English is essential;
Excellent analytical skills and proficiency in written and spoken English.