UNDP Jobs - 4149- Senior Adviser on Rule of Law and Gender

Senior Adviser on Rule of Law and Gender

Location :

Kinshasa, CONGO, DEM. REPUBLIC

Type of Contract :

ALD International

Starting Date :

24-Apr-2008

Application Deadline :

04-Apr-08 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

ALD-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year

Languages Required :

English French

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 role of the Senior Adviser is to support and strengthen the efforts of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and the rule of law vacuum in Eastern DRC and to contribute to developing the basis for a return to social cohesion. The primary focus of UNDP activity in this area is to strengthen the Government’s leading role in preventing sexual violence, bringing perpetrators to justice, ensuring victims of sexual violence receive comprehensive response and redress, and building the basis for the rehabilitation of perpetrators to permit reconciliation and begin to re-build social cohesion.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Country Director and direct supervision of the Deputy Country Director, the Senior Adviser will:

Substantively contribute to the inter-agency program formulation mission on a Rule of Law Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Eastern DRC.
Provides inputs to a UN system-wide action plan to support the DRC national strategy on sexual and gender-based violence with specific focus on Rule of Law efforts to fight impunity.
Assess past and present UNDP initiatives in the area of women’s empowerment, gender equality and gender justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Based on UNDP’s mandate on Governance and BCPR’s Eight Points Agenda on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Crisis Prevention and Recovery, formulate UNDP’s strategic approach to Sexual and Gender Based Violence in DRC, including a strategy to rehabilitate male perpetrators of violence.
Provide training and guidance to UNDP staff on the implementation of BCPR’s Eight Points Agenda on Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality in Crisis Prevention and Recovery.
Formulate a project document on supporting women’s security and access to justice as a basis to restore social cohesion in Eastern DRC.
Develop a technically sound multi-year program on Rule of Law and Gender consistent with the goals and objectives of the UNDP DRC Country Program.
Participate in inter-agency working group meetings on SGBV and/or other coordination mechanisms on Rule of Law, Justice and Gender.
Assist the Government of DRC in the promotion of the rule of law, and in close coordination with MONUC and other UN agencies.
Maintain liaison with DRC authorities and ensure they are provided with regular updates on UNDP’s intervention in the rule of law sector, with a view to collaborating in identifying means of strengthening the capacity of local/national rule of law institutions.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders – including community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, and community based organizations to enhance multi-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination.
Ensure that human rights and gender perspectives are mainstreamed in all UNDP DRC activities.

Competencies

Professionalism

Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues, including in the areas of rule of law and security institutions.
Comprehensive knowledge of gender mainstreaming methodologies and programming implementation.
Very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights including the rules governing their protection and the mechanisms available in case of their violation, in particular with regards to sexual and gender-based violence and child protection.
Very good knowledge of the region, including the political environment and legal statutes as they pertain to human rights.
Ability to work and act under pressure in a politically and psychologically difficult environment, with a minimum of comfort and in dangerous security conditions.
Sound political judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion.

Leadership

Proven negotiating and managerial skills.
Strong ability to take initiatives and to demonstrate autonomy.
Excellent leadership skills and ability to motivate a multicultural and mixed men/women team.

Teamwork

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for diversity.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced University degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in gender studies, political sciences, international relations, or law, preferably with specialization in human rights.

Expérience

At least 10 years’ work experience dealing with issues in conflict and post-conflict countries and substantial direct experience combating sexual violence.
Strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities and good political judgment.
Experience with protection of civilians, Rule of Law and human rights
Excellent campaigning, advocacy, negotiation and organizational skills.
Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Proven experience in successful host government relations and development of government capacity.
Good knowledge of the UNDP’s procedures and operational activities for development. Previous experience in this will be desirable.
Previous experience in Africa most desirable.