UNDP Jobs - 64785- Rule of Law Specialist (5 posts), Rule of Law and

Rule of Law Specialist (5 posts), Rule of Law and Community Justice for Conflict-Affected Areas in Ukraine

Location :

Kramatorsk, Severodonetsk, Odesa, 1 additional regional capital in the East of Ukraine (TBC), 1 additional regional capital of Ukraine (TBC), UKRAINE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Until 31 December 2016 (with possibility of extension)

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

Since independence, Ukraine’s political and economic development has been constrained by inadequate provision of rule of law services and access to justice, as well as endemic corruption and variance in the universal respect for human rights, which has had a negative impact on relations between citizens and state institutions.

Since February 2013, Ukraine has experienced a rapid change in its political, social, and economic landscape. The protests in the Maidan, the change in government, the occupation of Crimea, and ongoing conflict in the East, have created an immense and urgent challenge for Ukraine’s government and society: to deal with the legacy of the past, stabilise the faltering economy, restore peace, and satisfy the pressing demands of a mobilised population for tangible and positive change. At the same time, the upheaval in society and, in particular, the war have further weakened the rule of law, increased corruption, and led to a widespread and often severe violation of human rights, both in areas outside and within government control. This, in turn, has exacerbated general discontent with and distrust of government, as well as created great personal and community insecurity in conflict-affected areas.

In partnership with the European Union and World Bank, UNDP provided technical assistance to the development of the Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment (RPA). The RPA report was endorsed by the Government of Ukraine’s Cabinet of Minister’s on 5 August 2015. UNDP’s “Rule of Law for Stabilization in Ukraine” Programme, developed in early 2015, seeks to respond to the recommendations set out in Part 4 of the RPA, ‘Social Resilience, Peacebuilding and Community Security’. The Programme also builds upon UNDP’s previous programming on the protection of human rights and strengthening the rule of law.

UNDP’s “Rule of Law and Community Justice for Conflict-Affected Areas in Ukraine” Project, which encompasses two of the four components of the Rule of Law for Stabilization Programme, commenced at the beginning of 2016. The Project will address both the causes and consequences of the conflict, support stabilisation of the situation, and promote constructive and systemic change, both in the conflict-affected areas and the country as a whole. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to address the fundamental dynamic between individual, community, and state institutions.

Accordingly, the Project aims to achieve two key outputs:

Output 1: Strengthened personal and community security in conflict-affected areas;

Output 2: Increased community justice through capable institutions for rights-based service delivery and effective access to justice.

The Project will be implemented at the regional and community level, as well as closely aligned and linked to national and regional structures and reform processes in up to five target regions – i.e., the two conflict-affected regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as up to three other regions (to be determined).

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Rule of Law (ROL) Specialist, will be responsible for project implementation, and monitoring in his/her respective target region/duty station, as well as facilitate coordination of broader rule of law, access to justice and human rights activities in the target region.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical support to the implementation, coordination and monitoring of project activities on access to justice, human rights protection, legal empowerment, justice service delivery, or personal and community security, as follows:

Manage and coordinate implementation of capacity development support and provide technical advice on Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Human Rights to target institutions and project beneficiaries in area of responsibility, while ensuring alignment with national reform agenda and processes in the area of rule of law;
Provide technical inputs to programming, project planning, implementation and monitoring, including drafting of relevant documentation, work plans, monitoring frameworks, analytical reports, briefs, presentations and other reporting requirements;

Serve as a trainer and resource person on project activities organized for stakeholders and partners in the area of responsibility or inter-regional exchanges facilitated by the project;
- Monitor and report on the rollout of national reform agenda in target area of responsibility, operations of rule of law institutions, law enforcement and security services and provision of legal aid and related access to justice issues in the target region/areas;
- Conduct research, analysis and provide technical advice on emerging rule of law, access to justice and community security issues and trends;
- Monitor and report on emerging issues on rule of law, access to justice, human rights and community security and related activities in the area of responsibility that affect project implementation;
Assist in coordination with community and regional stakeholders and partners – including civil society, courts, prosecutors, police, legal practitioners, and administration;
- Develop and maintain close working relations with local civil society, court officials, police authorities, public prosecutors’ offices and military and security services in close cooperation with UNDP focal points responsible for community mobilization in the target region. This includes identifying and developing effective partnerships and related networks to facilitate project implementation, as well as identify issues, risks, priorities, and opportunities that support effective project monitoring and delivery in the area of responsibility;
- Assist in mobilizing regional and local government officials, local civil society, court officials, police authorities, public prosecutors’ offices, and security services;
- Facilitate communication and information exchange between project partners and stakeholders, as well as organize thematic learning and networking events on rule of law (access to justice or community security) topics;
- Conduct regular mapping and outreach to identify opportunities for new partnerships;
- Organize and facilitate UNDP, donor, monitoring and other project related missions within area of responsibility;
- Ensure the collection of project monitoring data on a regular basis (data collection, processing and transmission);
- Represent the project at public events (including activities organized for/by grantees and partners);

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

Bi-weekly/quarterly/annual/ad hoc briefs, updates and presentations are prepared;
Donors/partners visits are well organized and facilitated;
Project related documentation reported and recorded in a timely and accurate manner;
Memos, meeting minutes, topical briefs, and works plans produced;
Technical support effectively delivered to project beneficiaries and stakeholders;
All other relevant assignments performed in a timely manner.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

Programmatic activities on rule of law, access to justice and community security are developed in a timely manner, duly overseen, and properly reported on.

Competencies

Corporate competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religious, ethnic, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies

Be proactive, energetic, committed, and innovative;
Excellent writing, communication and organization skills;
Excellent computer skills (including, MS Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.);
Sound knowledge of justice service delivery principles, trends, and policies in Ukraine and abroad;
Familiarity with the rights-based approach to development;
Ability to set priorities, meet specific objectives, use political judgment and knowledge;
Good interpersonal skills, diligence, open mindedness, and dedication;
Excellent team and networking skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in rule of law related field (such as political science, international relations and security, security sector reform, policing, public policy, governance, social or development sciences, public administration, judicial reform, law, or human rights).

Experience:

5 years of work experience; including 2 years of practical experience in the field of access to justice/human rights/rule of law/community security/advocacy/promotion/protection/monitoring and/or reporting;
Prior experience working directly with the courts, legal aid, prosecutors or police is a strong advantage;
Familiarity with justice service delivery institutions, legislation, and reform policies and plans is a strong advantage;
Prior experience working with civil society or community representatives is an advantage;
Previous experience in stakeholder coordination, activity design and delivery, training or facilitations is an advantage;
Previous experience with a multilateral or international technical assistance or development organization would be an asset;
Experience in elaborating strategic documents or reports and conducting research is desirable;

Language requirements:

Professional fluency, both oral and written, in English, and Ukrainian. Working knowledge of Russian is an advantage;

Application Instructions:

Click on the "Apply now" button.
Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in or paste your Resume into the last box.
Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11). When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors.
Without the completed and signed P11 your application will not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at link . Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are available when contacted.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 27 MARCH 2016

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.