Background

In early 2008, the United Nations Country Team for Iraq, realized the formation of an Economic Reform & Diversification Sector Outcome Team (ERD SOT) made up of the UNDP, ILO, UNIDO, FAO, UN Habitat, UNIFEM, with IOM and CHF International as full members, Supported by ERD Policy Group official based in Baghdad, and in close partnership with the Government of Iraq, specifically the Prime Minister’s Advisory Board , with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning & Development Cooperation, Central Bank and key Iraqi institutions dealing with Iraq’s economy, by end of 2008, the ERD SOT has finalized the formulation and approval of a programme entitled: Private Sector Development Programme for Iraq (PSDPI).

1. Sustainable and increased employment opportunities;
2. Poverty reduction;
3. The enhancement of the legal and regulatory framework which will allow an increase in sustained domestic and international investment;
4. The development of a legal and regulatory framework with enforcement capacity designed to perpetuate an overall rational, coherent, and economic environment; and,
5. The diversification the basis of future economic growth in Iraq in a gender inclusive and environmentally sustainable manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall authority of the UNDP-Iraq Country Director, under the guidelines of the Private Sector Development Programme Advisor and under the direct supervision of the CTA the Legal Specialist will provides strategic technical direction and supports leadership for private sector policy development and reform. S/he carry out the following key functions:

• Analyze all relevant framework documents already in place for the Private Sector including relevant legislation, support project documents to ensure full familiarity with the Iraq Private Sector;
• Interact with relevant Ministry directors and advisors to assert on the main constraints and priorities for the sector from an organizational, functional, technical perspective inclusive of institutional reform, capacity development and gender perspective;
• Ensure provision of cross-cutting advisory services on the legal aspects of the Private Sector Development Programme which aims to create and enable an effective, coherent,comprehensive and human rights oriented framework for Private Sector development in Iraq at national and governorate levels;
• Analyze and review of assessments conducted by counterparts or entities of the national law governing private sector development and develop recommendations and strategy on implementation of those recommendations.
• Ensure conduct of the comparative analysis of the International Treaties, Conventions and Standards, including UN International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and development and implementation of the identified priorities, strategies and activities;
• Provide technical support to the Government of Iraq and the Council of Representatives in enacting of commercial and social legislation for private sector development initiatives that are promoting human rights;
• Guide and support the relevant Ministerial staff in the implementation of the strategic plans under a capacity development lens;
• Support preparation of drafts of policy briefs, action plans, terms of reference, funding mechanisms arrangements and all relevant documents for following up on the strategic plan;
• Lead the process of drafting relevant legal policies for the Private Sector considering always the gender dimensions in all phases, to strengthen economic opportunities to contribute to an environment which conducive to the respect of human rights.
• Promote a strategy where economic development stands to strengthen the economic rights with the purpose of contributing to the eradication of poverty, empowerment of women and disadvantaged and vulnerable groups to promote social equality;
• Liaise and collaborate with UN Implementing partners and Intergovernmental organizations, as well as Government and NGOs in support of programme focusing on development of private sector;
• Promote and advocate for an integrated vision of private sector development that includes all relevant national institutions and stakeholders and seek dialogue and consensus building between partners for holistic policy formulation;
• Explore and develop new initiatives in PSDP, aimed at promoting the linkage of economic development and human rights to other Governorates and other potential areas;
• Provide technical support to initiatives (seminars, round table meetings, working meetings, communication strategies) for the promotion and resources mobilization for private sector development;
• Provide high level senior policy advice to UNDP senior management, government counterparts, donors and other partners on issues related to enhancement of the legal and regulatory framework which will allow an increase in sustained domestic and international investments;
• Ensure the integration of cross-cutting issues, such as gender, peace building, human rights into the design of policies and plans;
• Serve as focal legal point in the PSDP, and develop a knowledge base, for particular specialization, i.e human rights, institutional and legal frameworks for human rights, or human rights issues in fragile and conflict affected states and work with relevant Ministries and Civil Society Organizations. This would include helping design, implement, monitor, evaluate and extract lessons learned from the project supported activities and develop knowledge and learning materials aimed at enhancing project staff’s understanding and knowledge of the role of human rights in the context of Private Sector Development.
• Liaise continually with and forges close linkages with other UN offices, programmes, agencies and entities, and other international and national stakeholders concerned with or providing assistance to create and enable an effective, coherent, and comprehensive framework for private sector development in Iraq at both the national and governorate levels;
• Keep fully abreast of local social, economic and political developments in order to be able to contribute to strategic and analytical documents concerning the development potential in Iraq;
• Promotes identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned from the programme area for organizational sharing and learning as well as external information;
• Assess a human rights perspective to private sector activities concerning natural resource use and management, which not only contribute to more effective state and corporate policies and practices but also raise greater awareness of government human rights obligations and company responsibilities to respect all human rights wherever they operate.
• Design and conduct trainings and study tours for the implementation of the programme in the context of human rights and development
• Perform other work-related tasks as requested by the direct supervisor.

Competencies

1. Ethics and Values
2. Organizational Awareness
3. Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring
4. Working in Teams
5. Communicating Information and Ideas
6. Self-management and Emotional intelligence
7. Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements
8. Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning
9. Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
• Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent, and credible behavior;
• Respect individual/cultural differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork;
• Ensures others’ understanding of, involvement in, and adaptation to a change process.

• Initiates and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal /external /bilateral/ public/ private/ NGO);
• Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies.

• Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
• Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.

• Formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
• Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences.

• Thorough knowledge of public international and human rights law and procedure at the national or international level, and prefer knowledge of professional conduct and ethics codes;
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to deal with a range of complex legal issues;
• Superior legal research and writing skills including relevant experience in legislative reform, drafting legislation and policy development experience;
• Sound and proven management skills, training experience, strong leadership, people development skills, and proven ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with host-country counterparts;
• In-depth practical knowledge and experience in capacity development/training approaches
• Has experience at high level policy advice and strategic planning within a national government or international organization
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
• Builds 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 openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills 
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional legal experience in the area of public international law and human rights, with at least two years of experience in legal reviewing and comparative analyses.
• Practical experience in human rights and development is essential
• Experience with Iraqi legislative bodies is desirable;
• Previous experience in Iraq operations is an important asset.
• At least two years of experience in conflict and post-conflict settings
• Experience with a legal/institutional background, demonstrated knowledge of legal and institutional frameworks underpinning human rights, and of activities and mandates of relevant international and regional human rights organizations, treaty bodies, thematic committees and other mechanisms, such as the UN Special Rapporteurs and Independent Experts desirable.
• Previous work with governmental or other relevant bodies on the promotion of international human rights treaties would be desirable as would experience of incorporating, or providing advice on the incorporation of, human rights standards into development activities.
• Experience in human rights and development issues in fragile and post conflict settings, experience in initiating and implementing human rights and development programs in fragile and conflict-affected states, including in the field, and in work with Ministries and Civil Society Organizations
• Experience in project evaluation and planning for results.
•  Experience in preparation of knowledge and learning products, outreach and dissemination programs.

• Proficiency in MS Office suite and familiarity with a variety of telecommunication systems;

• Knowledge of UN Conventions and Treaties ensuring economic rights is an asset.

• Fluency in English is required. Arabic language is desirable