Background

Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Assistant Country Director/Governance Unit and in close coordination with the relevant Programme Officer, the Project Manager (PM) will assume the overall management of the project in accordance with UNDP regulations and procedures and the project document as well as develop, implement and monitor year work plans integrated with the planning and institutional arrangements of the Provedoria for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ). The PM will be the chief executive officer of the UNDP-OHCHR project, tasked with managing, monitoring and evaluating all other contracted staff under the project.

The Project Manger will maintain awareness of latest developments in relation to national human rights institutions (NHRIs) and ensure that the most appropriate and relevant methods are used for project implementation. The Project Manger will be based in the PDHJ, supported by the administrative Associate (AA). He/her will report to the Project Steering Committee (PSC), and work closely with all stagkeholders to the project, particularly with PDHJ HRD staff and OHCHR as well as other development partners of the PDHJ.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manage the NHRI capacity development project activities; More specifically, the PM is responsible to:

  • Draft and update annual and quarterly project work plans in close consultation with UNDP, OHCHR and the PDHJ;
  • Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the Project and implementation of recommendations.
  • Closely monitor project activities against the desired outputs/result and advise the PSC and UNDP Programme Officer on required management actions and necessary modifications;
  • Ensure the implementation of decisions made by the PSC;
  • Recruitment and supervision of project management staff and consultants;
  • Provide technical assistance to the PDHJ on a regular basis in relation to Human Rights and Organisational issue.
  • Determine, design and monitor capacity development interventions and follow-up to ensure quality and relevance to PDHJ and context of Timor-Leste.
  • Ensure integration of the project with the work and institutional environment of PDHJ
  • Prepare monthly progress updates, quarterly and annual project reports for the PSC and UNDP, as well as other information as may be requested;
  • Assist the PDHJ in the development and implementation of activities aiming at addressing PDHJ gaps and challenges identified within the development of the Justice Sector Strategic Plan

2. Research on developments on NHRIs worldwide, and in specifically within the region. More specifically, the PM is responsible for the following:

  • Monitor the development of standards applicable to NHRIs;
  • Research into internal procedures, institutional setting and activities implemented by NHRIs from post-conflict and least developed countries;
  • Sensitize PDHJ staff to project objectives and activities based on role of NHRis in order to deepen their understanding of issues being addressed and to generate long-term sustainability of the project; 
  • Advice the Provedor on establishing and maintaining relations with relevant regional and international organizations such as OHCHR (NHRI unit), the Asia Pacific forum of NHRIs, etc and seek opportunities for PDHJ to develop and maintain relations with other NHRIs and international Human Rights fora.

3. Financial and administrative oversight of the project, under the supervision of the Programme Officer. More specifically, the PM is responsible for:

  • Plan, organize and oversee the necessary administrative and other logistical support to consultancy missions, workshops, overseas learning and other project activities;
  • Exercise financial oversight of the project under the supervision of the UNDP Programme Officer to ensure accurate and efficient budget management and project delivery including overseeing and authorizing financial transactions in Atlas;
  • Supervise the work of the Project Management Team through regular feedback and performance assessment. 
  • Prepare separate progress and financial reports as may be required under cost-sharing agreements with donors;

Impact of Results

The key results have an impact on the implementation of activities to strengthen the capacity of the Timor-Leste NHRI as it relates to the use of corporate resources in the following areas:

  • Managerial: monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
  • Strategic partnerships: Establishes and maintain relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs, identify resources and gain support
  • Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
  • Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals consistent with agreed strategies. 
  • Adjustment: Ability to identify key issues in a complex situation and comes to the hear of the problem quickly.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN?s values and ethical standards
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
  • Displays strong cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability 
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

  • Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
  • Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
  • Demonstrates skills and ability to coordinate and mange the work of others, work to tight deadlines

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Ability to conduct results-based management and reporting 
  • Solid theoretical knowledge of and good practical experience in the relevant area, i.e., particularly human rights law, the human rights based approach to development, access to justice and legal empowerment of the poor solid knowledge of the region and the overall situation in the countries of concern, strong analytical skills and ability to conduct comprehensive research on a range of issues including those of a complex and/or sensitive nature.
  • Solid knowledge in financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, information and communication technology, general administration.

Management and Leadership:

  • Interacts, establishes and maintains effective working relations both as a team member and as a task manger, with people of different national and multi-cultural backgrounds
  • Build strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback,
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communications skills
  • Demonstrates excellent communications skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts and recommendations at senior levels, both orally an in writing, in a clear and persuasive stile tailored to match different audiences.
  • Demonstrates strong negotiating and interpersonal skills
  • Leads team effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills
  • Empowers others to translate vision into results
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
  • Is able to anticipate and resolve conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master Degree in Law or International Development, Public Administration or other relevant social science.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years of extensive working experience in the area of design, project management, capacity development and implementation of projects;
  • Experience in working with National Human Rights Institutions
  • Experience in working in post-conflict or least development countries
  • Experience in working in Timor-Leste

Language Requirements:

  • Proficiency in English, with excellent writing skills.
  • Knowledge of Tetum, Indonesian or Portuguese is an asset