UNDP Jobs - 1536- Technical Advisor

Technical Advisor - Human Trafficking

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-May-2007

Application Deadline :

19-Apr-07 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Duration of Initial Contract :

1 year

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

The UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (UNIAP) was established to facilitate a stronger and more co-ordinated response to human trafficking in the GMS (Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam). It initially brought together six Governments, thirteen UN agencies, one inter-governmental organisation and seven international NGOs at a regional level. This has now evolved into an extensive network of Government, local and international NGOs, UN organisations and donors throughout the six countries, with links to similar networks in South Asia and beyond.

The first phase of UNIAP, funded by the UN (Turner) Foundation and AusAID commenced in June 2000 and was completed in May 2003. In September 2001, the Project Steering Committee, comprising representatives of the six Governments, approved a second phase of the Project, until December 2006. The second phase will enhance, expand and capitalise on the knowledge, networks, and successful pilot activities developed in the first three years of UNIAP. Phase III, running through December 2009, will increase the technical assistance and operational coordination provided by UNIAP to UN inter-agency partners, government, and other non-government agencies, and guide the COMMIT Sub-regional Plan of Action activities through to completion.

Duties and Responsibilities

Design and provide technical assistance to UNIAP regional and country-level activities:

Work with the RPM to design regionally-driven strategies that are realistic, responsive, feasible, and informed by efforts and developments at the tactical/operational level.
Lead the design of the COMMIT time-bound operational plans, in collaboration with the RPM and country-staff, to ensure achievement of all COMMIT Project Proposal Concepts (PPCs – includes ten human trafficking project priorities) within the UNIAP Phase III timeframe.
Provide direct technical assistance at the regional and field level to implement the PPC implementation programs.
Monitor and evaluate progress toward PPC completion through PPC performance monitoring and impact evaluations.
Assist in the technical training and guidance of the Regional Information Officer and country-level Information Officers, and other UNIAP staff as necessary.

Design and provide technical assistance to non-UNIAP activities, including UN inter-agency partners, NGOs, and government agencies.

Conduct and facilitate technical discussions, or assist the RPM with facilitating technical discussions, involving the technical staff of UN inter-agency partners, NGOs, and government agencies.
Facilitate and provide strategic vision and direction to inter-agency joint strategic planning at the technical level.
Ensure that non-UNIAP activities are accounted for and given credit under the COMMIT PPC activity areas, when appropriate.
Design and provide technical assistance directly to partner programs when requested, including strategic and operational planning, training, research management, and evaluation.
Maintain regular contact with the technical staff of UN inter-agency partners, NGOs, and government agencies at the regional and country levels, to strengthen relations and coordination with counter-trafficking partners.

Design and undertake core UNIAP technical functions that serve the counter-trafficking community, such as training, research, and evaluation.

Provide large-scale training under the Regional Training Programme (PPC 1), as well as more targeted operational and technical trainings as required to increase counter-trafficking capacity and responsiveness at the regional, country, local, and border levels.
Lead the technical team in updating, modularizing, and enhancing the technical content of all direct and self-study training materials provided by UNIAP to the counter-trafficking community.
Design and conduct gap-filling research, or manage gap-filling research programs, as decided upon by consensus through inter-agency technical consultations.
Identify and facilitate opportunities for large-scale and small-scale collaboration and joint operational planning.
Design and conduct joint evaluations around particular geographic or thematic areas, to assess the aggregate impact of counter-trafficking efforts.

Support planning and development of project initiatives and resource mobilization.

Participate or represent the project office in workshops, meeting, and conferences relevant to the technical work of the projects assigned by the Regional Project Manager.
Provide guidance and input into planning and developing of new innovative initiatives at country, cross-border and regional levels.
Work with the RPM on fundraising efforts and liaising with strategic companies and industries from the private sector.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UN’s mission, vision and values.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience.
Encourages office staff to share knowledge and contribute to UNDP Practice Areas.
Promotes a learning environment in the office.
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired knowledge.

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on result for the client.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
Be able to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
Possesses high standards of integrity, professionalism, personal discipline and impartiality
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
Solicits feedback from staff about the impact of his/her own behavior.

Required Skills and Experience

Post-graduate level degree in a relevant social science discipline (PhD preferred).
At least eight years experience in the government, non-government, and/or academic arenas dealing with development project management, field intelligence and research, and/or counter-trafficking field work. Multi-sectoral experience with increasing managerial responsibility an asset.
At least three years experience doing counter-trafficking technical design and implementation work, including at the director or chief technical adviser level.
High level of knowledge/understanding of issues related to the human trafficking, at the policy, programming, and field level.
Established relationships and familiarity with GMS government and non-government agencies in the counter-trafficking sector.
Familiarity with Windows-based computer applications.
Experience working with donors an asset.
Fluency in oral and written English, knowledge of one or more GMS language an asset.
Excellent drafting, report writing, and technical meeting facilitation skills.