UNDP Jobs - 53077- National Human Rights Specialist

National Human Rights Specialist - (Open to Nepalese Nationals Only)

Location :

Kathmandu, NEPAL

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

02-Mar-2015

Application Deadline :

27-Jan-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

11 months with possible extension

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

With an office in Kathmandu and three field offices in strategic regional locations, the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) is collectively well-positioned to provide strategic and operational coordination support for development partners to achieve efficiency and optimal use of limited resources against priorities.

The RCO provides the necessary support, analysis and information to allow the RC to co-chair key coordination fora by identifying priorities and setting agendas. The RC can take the lead on common issues that require the UN Country Team to speak with one voice, and present a common position and/or view. On this basis, the RCO is also positioned to strengthen collaboration within and between development partners and promote more comprehensive and multi-faceted programming and use of technical expertise. Partnerships are critical to leveraging all the interests, knowledge and resources necessary to achieve collective results.

The post is being advertised in order to strengthen the capacity of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in the promotion and protection of human rights. The post will also support the building of a responsive and accessible justice system, required in addressing the root causes of conflict. The human rights officer will work in collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the National Dalit Commission and the Office of the Attorney General, as well as in support to technical agencies who implement such projects.

The National Human Rights Specialist (HR Specialist) will provide expert advice and guidance on transitional justice and reparations, as well as support the Government and civil society on their engagement with the international human rights systems during the ongoing process of peace, development and democratization in Nepal. The HR Specialist will also act as a resource person on issues of gender equality, social inclusion, the Human Rights Up Front Initiative and the integration of human rights into disaster preparedness and response efforts (under the guidance of the Head of Office and in collaboration with and in support to technical agencies) . In a country prone to national disasters, the RCO established partnership among emergency actors in the country, linking them to Governments emergency structures as well as the Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium. While the RCO has limited capacities for this function, it remains an important provider of advisory services and direct support.

Reporting directly to the Head of the RCO, the incumbent will work closely with and support the Chief Technical Advisor (provided by UNDP with 50% support to RC functions) as well as the Programme Specialist and Coordination Analyst (on issues including Peace Building and Joint Programming) in furthering human rights principles, including human rights-based approach (HRBA), social inclusion as well as supporting the transition of human right priorities currently supported through ongoing peacebuilding projects into longer-term programmes. The incumbent will also liaise closely with the RCO field presences to ensure efficient communication flows between the centre and the regions on the functional areas under the responsibility of the HR Specialist.

Duties and Responsibilities

Ensures integration of Human Rights strategies into planning and programming focusing on achievement of the following results:

Provide leadership to support the United Nations Country Team to integrate human rights principles and rights-based approaches into ongoing and envisaged humanitarian, recovery, peacebuilding/transition and development work in Nepal;
Provide advice and guidance for the implementation of the UNDAF process by strengthening the human rights-based approach in programming and implementation;
Ensure, advise and guide integration of gender perspectives and attention to specific inclusion issues within all assigned activities;
As part of remaining peacebuilding concerns, provide technical assistance to support the RC to provide leadership and coordination in the identified strategic priority area of transitional justice;
As part of the transition period, support the translation of UN interventions on relevant root causes of conflict into longer-term programming to protect development gains;
Analyse degree of implementation by Nepal of recommendations made by treaty bodies, Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Ensures effective development, management and oversight of the Human Rights Activities achieving the following results:

Convene appropriate working groups on human rights with participants to be drawn from United Nations system agencies and other partners, as may be appropriate. Areas of discussion to include the implementation of recommendations and conclusions of treaty bodies, rights-based approaches to peace-building and development, gender mainstreaming, human rights projects and programs, and protection issues;
Effective monitoring, measuring the impact of the programme and evaluation. Constant monitoring and analysis of the programme environment, timely readjustment of programme;
Liaise and coordinate with field coordinators on all aspects of RCO’s work to ensure opportunities to advance human rights are capitalized upon;
Maintain close communication with OHCHR Geneva and act as focal point on functional areas;
Aggregate reports are regularly prepared on activities, outputs and outcomes. Preparation of donor reports;
Ensure regular reporting on the evolving human rights situation, linking with field level reports, and the office’s related activities;
Perform other duties, as required.

Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships focusing on achievement of the following results:

Contribute to policy formulation, staff development and collaboration with civil society and human rights defenders at central and district levels;
Liaise with Coordination Analyst on UNDAF implementation and identification of areas of convergence, and support joint planning and joint programming efforts with a focus on human rights initiatives;
Devise, promote and execute initiatives linked to supporting human rights protection, in collaboration with civil society organisations and UN agencies;Participate in field missions to gather information related to general human rights situations;
Act as focal point for the treaty body monitoring mechanisms/ special procedures in close coordination with OHCHR Geneva;
Research and collect information pertaining to human rights matters from a variety of sources and keep abreast of issues/events.

As a technical expert ensuring proactive provision of top quality advisory services, knowledge products and facilitation of knowledge building and management focusing on achievement of the following results:

Ensure protection and promotion of civil, political and socio-economic rights through advising on capacity building and advocacy initiatives;
Prepare briefing notes, technical documents, advocacy and research papers reviewing human rights compliance in legislation, policies, plans, practices and procedures for ensuring respect and fulfilment of human rights by UN agencies and other stakeholders;
Quality and strategic contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Competencies

Functional/Technical Competencies:

Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of human rights and humanitarian issues, in particular in post conflict situations;
Conceptual and strategic analytical capacity, including ability to analyze and articulate the human rights and humanitarian dimensions of complex issues that require a coordinated UN response;
Very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to human rights and humanitarian affairs;
Good knowledge of the UN human rights mechanisms and system;
Ability to relate human rights and humanitarian affairs issues and perspectives, including gender issues, to political, economic, social and human rights programmes in the country/region;
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment in applying technical expertise to resolve a wide range of complex issues/problems;
Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement;
Demonstrated ability to complete in-depth studies and to formulate conclusions/recommendations.

Planning and Organizing:

Ability to plan own work, manage priorities to meet deadlines, and work under pressure on occasion in a highly stressful environment.

Client-Orientation:

Ability to work in close collaboration with clients to meet their needs and requirements, including victim groups and human rights defenders;

Communication skills:

Good communication (spoken and written) skills including the ability to understand and carry out simple instructions and communicate in the same language;
Knowledge of technology and use of computer applications.

Corporate Competencies:

Teamwork:

Good interpersonal skills;
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
Ability to maintain effective working relationship with partners.

Respect for Diversity:

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, sexual orientation and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree, preferably in law, political science, international relations or other disciplines related to human rights.

Experience:

At least twelve years of relevant experience at the national or international level;
Experience in working with civil society as well as on linkages between peacebuilding and human rights a must;
Previous experience with Nepal human rights organizations and specific exposure with transitional justice issues a distinct plus;
Experience on gender and social inclusion highly desirable;
Previous experience in working in a decentralized environment highly desirable;
Previous experience with UN/UNDP systems and process a distinctive advantage.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English and Nepali is essential.