UNDP Jobs - 2700- Senior Advisor on Constitution Building and CA Sup

Senior Advisor on Constitution Building and CA Support

Location :

Kathmandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Nov-2007

Application Deadline :

10-Oct-07 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Duration of Initial Contract :

up to 31 March 2008

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

5 months

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

Background

On 1 December 2006, UNDP began implementing the preparatory assistance strategy for supporting the constitution building process in Nepal in collaboration with the wider international community. The project “Support to the Constitution Building Process in Nepal” provides concrete and specific technical assistance to the various constitution building activities underway in preparation for the development of a new constitution, and seeks to build stakeholders’ capacities to better understand and engage in the process. Through a concerted public information and communication strategy, the project also seeks to support civil society and interested individuals to find out about and use available information on constitution building in general and specific milestones in the Nepali process as they occur. In addition, the strategy seeks to ignite broader interest and confidence in participating in the constitution building process.

In view of the postponement of the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections from June to November 2007, it was decided to extend the project for 4 months until 31 March 2008. Simultaneously UNDP is undertaking exercises to consolidate the preparatory work carried out to date into a strategy for the new three-year project on the Constituent Assembly support.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Resident Representative (RR) and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative/Programme (DRR/P), the main responsibility of the consultant is to lead UNDP’s assistance to the constitution making process in Nepal.

The specific outputs of the consultant are:

Ensure timely completion of all project activities under the “Support to Constitution Building Process in Nepal” project, by providing technical inputs and supervision for producing the following products in particular.

Workshops for the CA members
Publication of five UNDP National Conference reports
Publication of the Handbook on Constitution Making
Completion of the website with sufficient amount of information, publications and links to other sites in each section of the website for its launch

Oversee the production of a new project document for a three-year project on support to the Constituent Assembly, including the follow-up formulation mission for the new project.

Develop guidelines on the functioning, procedures and organization of the Constituent Assembly to be shared with the key stakeholders

Represent UNDP at meetings, discussions, seminars, etc. on constitutional and transitional governance issues, and provide technical advice as and when requested by the parties, civil society organizations, UN and donor agencies and the Office of the Personal Representative of the UN Secretary General.

Competencies

resourcefulness, initiative and maturity of judgement
Excellent analytical and organizational skills

Required Skills and Experience

Advanced degree in law, political science, or a related field,
A minimum of 15 years in the field of constitution making and related legal work.
Experience in advising constitution making in other countries, especially in extending practical support to making a new constitution in conflict-affected or post-conflict contexts is required.
Past experience in working with the UN, and UNDP in particular, would be preferable.