UNDP Jobs - 64249- Legal expert for Istanbul Convention

Legal expert for Istanbul Convention - Support to Antidiscrimination and Gender Equality Policies

Location :

Home Based and Podgorica, MONTENEGRO

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

22-Mar-2016

Application Deadline :

08-Mar-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

one month

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

up to 17 working days

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

Equality between women and men is not just a goal in itself: it is a precondition for the fulfillment of human rights and human development in general, and of the overall EU objectives in regard to growth, employment and social cohesion, in particular.
One of the most radical violations of women’s human rights is happening in the family sphere. Analyses and studies show that one in every three women is exposed to violence. The number of cases reported to the police remains limited. There is a low level of support provided to victims, resulting in their reluctance to report family violence, while the number of deaths occurring as a consequence of long-term family violence has increased. Globally it can be seen quite clearly that there is an inversely proportionate relationship between violence against women and gender equality in society: where women are considered the equals of men in legislation, policy and institutional frameworks, they are also less likely to be subjected to violence. In other words, elimination of violence against women requires a holistic approach to policies, laws and frameworks: a strong focus on legislation and relevant public institution policies and regulation which discriminate against women and girls in a direct or indirect way.

Law on Protection from Violence in the Family was adopted on 27 July 2010 by Montenegrin Parliament. Practitioners dealing with violence in the family expected that this innovative Law will introduce protective measures towards victims, enabling institutions to respond accordingly in coordinated manner. Still, after 5 years of the practical implementation of the Law there are evident gaps in systematic support to victims which have been additionally stained by personal perceptions on gender equality by professionals dealing with cases of violence. Therefore targeted results is enhanced Law on Protection from Violence in Family in accordance with Istanbul Convention and addressed through Amendments legal gaps related to protection and support to victims of violence in family that will ensure the enhancement of the legal framework as well as capacities of a judiciary to adequately address cases of violence in family.

Survey on perceptions of violence in the family and gender equality provided us with better understanding of perceptions within judiciary on violence in family and proved that personal stereotypes implanted within institutional routines and court practices present ideal environment for structural discrimination of victims of violence. Therefore specific attention should paid to alignment of the Law on Protection from violence in family and translation of the Istanbul Convention principles of “due attention” at all levels by all institutions on the cases of violence, in multidisciplinary response to violence.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the respective UNDP Programme Manager and in close cooperation with Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Parliamentarian Committee for Gender Equality , international consultant will ensure implementation of the following tasks:

Assess allignment of the Law on Protection from Violence in Family with Istanbul Convention;
Develop draft Amendments to address remaining legal gaps and alignment;
Participate in on-line discussions with Programme Manager, national legal experts and Political Club for Fights Against Violence Against Women;
Prepare final version of Amendments the Law on Protection from Violence in Family;
Provide expert guidance to Project manager and national expert on judiciary knowledge strengthening and skills development aligned with Code of Conduct, Law on Protection from Violence in Family and Istanbul Convention;
Participate at the roundtable discussion on implementation of Istanbul Convention and alignment of national legislation and practical implementation of the Law on Violence in Family by judiciary.

Expected deliverables:

Draft 1 Amendments to the Law on Protection from Violence in Family;
Final draft Amendments to the Law on Protection from Violence in Family;
Participation at the presentation of survey on perceptions on violence within judiciary and discussions on amendments.

Timing of the work

Expert will be engaged under Individual Contract (IC) on short-term bases for estimated time of 1 month or 17 working days out of which it is expected that international expert to spend 2 full working days in Montenegro, Podgorica, in order to take part at the discussion on the amendments as well as on presentation of survey findings on judiciary perceptions on violence in family. The tentative date of the assignment is March 22nd, 2016 – April 22nd, 2016.

Competencies

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Shares knowledge and experience;
Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to assessment and support in legal and institutional responsiveness to violence in family;
Ability to provide input to implementation of envisaged legal and institutional system of protection of victims of violence;
Excellent knowledge of national stakeholders and expertise on violence in family and violence against women;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Degree in Law and preferably gender equality studies.

Experience:

Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in addressing violence in family and victims support;
Knowledge local legislation related to family violence and preferably experience in work with Montenegrin judiciary;
Excellent communication and inter-personal skills, particularly facilitation and moderation skills necessary for education process of authorities;
Excellent social, communicative skills and ability to operate under pressure.

Language:

Fluency in English and in local language will be an asset.

Criteria for selection

Combined Scoring method will be used. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the inidividual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (i) responsive, compliant, acceptable, and (ii) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical criteria weigth - 70% (Background and education 10%;
Relevant previous experience - 20%;
Substantial knowledge/Required competencies 30%;
Required language -10%);
Financial criteria weight - 30%;
Only offerors obtaining a minimum 490 points for technical criteria will be considered for the financial evaluation.
For more information on procurement methodology for Individual Contractors, please refer to Procurement Notice.

Application procedure

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by March 8th, 2016 by using the Apply now button. The application should contain a duly completed Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded from http://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/operations/jobs.html.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work and travel envisaged in the section "Description of Responsibilities".