UNDP Jobs - 25068- National Project Manager(Justice & Human Rights Sp

National Project Manager(Justice & Human Rights Specialist), VA No:2011/08/193

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

11-Sep-11 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-5

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

one year with possibility of extension

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

UNDP Global Mission Statement:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:

UNDP Afghanistan is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the Country Programme Document approved by the Executive Board and the Country Programme Action Plan was approved by the Government and UNDP. UNDP Afghanistan is organized into (1) Policy and Results Management Directorate, (2) Policy and Programmes and (3) Operations. The Policy and Programme consists of the following clusters: (1) Democratic Governance Cluster, (2) Local Governance and Administration Cluster, (3) Crisis Prevention and Recovery Cluster, (4) Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Livelihoods Cluster, and (5) Natural Resources and Environment Cluster.

Organizational Context:

UNDP’s Justice Project is under a Direct Implementation modality and will be lead by the Justice Project Manager. Management will be governed by relevant decisions of the Executive Board of UNDP, including the programming manual (RMG) and the project implementation manual. Annual Work Plans will be the key planning and management tool and will be prepared jointly by the Government, donor partners, beneficiary stakeholders and UNDP.

Following continuous engagement in supporting Afghanistan’s justice sector since 2002, UNDP Afghanistan’s justice sector support is now entering a new phase. This project document sets out the structure and activities for a new UNDP project titled the Justice and Human Rights in Afghanistan Project (JHRA). The JHRA Project draws on the lessons learned through two previous UNDP justice projects – Strengthening the Justice System of Afghanistan (SJSA) and Access to Justice at the District Level (AJDL). The JHRA Project will replace both the SJSA and AJDL Projects, and will continue many activities piloted by these projects, while also adding several new activities identified as key priorities by Government partners.

The Afghan Government has made significant strides over the past two years in planning and harmonizing justice assistance. 2008 saw the development and integration into the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS) a comprehensive National Justice Programme (NJP). A plan was also adopted by the government and supported by donors to have significant portions of the NJP funded and implemented through a special window of the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) with assistance from the World Bank. The NJP provides a road map for a coordinated and global approach to justice reform in Afghanistan, and places an emphasis on institutional reform, capacity-building, professionalization, infrastructure, and provincial justice services (civil administration, legal aid, prosecutor’s offices, courts, prisons). The adoption of the NJP represents a significant advance and change in how the Government of Afghanistan and its international partners will approach assistance to the justice sector.

With the growth of UNDP’s justice portfolio and the reorientation provided by the adoption of the NJP, UNDP seeks to strengthen and consolidate its justice programme. In the coming months, the three (or hopefully four) projects will be merged into a single justice programme and a new phase of this programme will be designed and initiated. It is in this context that UNDP Afghanistan has created and is recruiting for the new position of a senior Justice Programme Manager, who will provide high level leadership and vision for UNDP’s engagement in the justice sector in Afghanistan. Supported by two senior deputies and by the UNDP Country Office, the Justice Programme Manager will play a lead role in all aspects of project delivery, strategic planning, resource mobilization, and provision of technical assistance in this critical area of work for UNDP.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

The National Project Manager (Justice and Human Rights Specialist) will report to the Country Director through the Deputy Country Director (Programme) and Assistant Country Director and Head of Democratic Governance Unit and will play a lead role in managing UNDP’s justice project and representing UNDP in the justice sector

Summary of Key Functions:

Organization and management;
Management for delivery of results;
Capacity development for institutional reforms and development;
Policy reforms and development services;
Analytical national knowledge products;
Advocacy, networking and marketing;
Partnerships and resource mobilization.

Policy Advice to Senior Management of the JHRA Project:

Provide overall policy advice to UNDP on rule of law, justice and human rights issues
Advise the senior management, as required, on the need to update / revise the project implementation strategy in view of progress made on its implementation; changing political, legal or institutional context; and information gathered through the JHRA evaluation and monitoring.
Support efforts, in collaboration with the Media and Public Outreach Unit, to raise awareness on the Justice and the role of the JHRA Project in ensuring its implementation.

Project Management:

Advise on achieving results in line with the outputs and activities outlined in the project document and annual work plan;
Provide Substantial advice and input in preparation of the annual work plan and results framework for the project and ensure implementing for delivery of results;
Provide inputs for monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports and organize, correspondingly, monthly, quarterly and annual progress reviews;
Participate in the meetings of the Project Board (Steering Committee) and if relevant that Project Advisory Panel.

Delivery of Project Results:

Provide inputs for preparing component or output-based concept or strategy papers and implementation manuals or guidelines;
Provide support in preparing results framework for each output and advise on the establishment of the performance and impact assessment indicators and system;
Based on the inputs from the evaluation, support the development of strategy to efficiently implement current project activities and pave the way for project expansion beyond 2012.

Policy reform and Development Services:

Advise on plan of action for policy support services and project development;
Stimulate strategic thinking in the subject area, taking into account the needs of Government, local authorities, non-government and development partners as well as opportunities to develop national public goods;
Ensure adequate gender technical support to state entities for mainstreaming gender in key policy and strategic documents and development processes;
Advice the Project senior management and the national government counterparts on policy matters pertinent to gender equitable development and propose way forward to best serve the government mandates.

Coordination:

Support and facilitate provision of regular updates to the senior management on the progress and achievements in the support provided to the Justice and Human Rights Sector.
Ensure all activities conducted are closely coordinated with all relevant national and international actors / stakeholders, human rights advisors and other government institutions as relevant;
Actively participate in coordination forums and meetings relating to the Justice and Human Rights activities and its implementation.

Advocacy, Networking and Marketing:

Disseminate the information on best practices and be active member of the UNDP global and regional networks;
Provide inputs for brochures, publications, press releases for dissemination of UNDP assistance and experience;
Provide inputs for professional articles and papers.

Proposals, Reporting and Resource Mobilization:

Advise on network and build credible working relations with Government, UN and donor partners;
Provide inputs for proposals for mobilization of human, technical or financial resources from international development organizations, non-government organizations and the private sector;
Support in mobilization of resources to support the achievement of project outputs and outcomes.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional competencies:

Experience in strategy development (in particular Justice and Human Rights) and strategic planning;
Previous experience working with Afghanistan’s national institutions a distinct advantage.

Managerial competencies:

Proven ability to lead and motivate staff in challenging environments;
Ability to develop and manage professional relationships;
Ability to develop capacity and competencies of staff and to transfer skills.

Behavioral competencies:

Ability to work effectively with government and donor counterparts;
Proven experience in knowledge transfer and capacity development;
Excellent networking skills;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
Treats all people fairly and without favoritism.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in fields related to Human Rights, public administration, law, political science, social science, business administration or other related degree.

Experience:

5 years of Relevant experience working with a government institution, non-governmental organization or international organization in areas related to the position;
Female applicants with Bachelor’s Degree and 5 years of experience will also be considered;

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English, Dari and Pashto is required.

Interested and qualified national Afghan candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP Jobs site at http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?job_id=25068 and please ensure that to fill up and upload Personal History Form-P.11 which is available at http://www.undp.org.af/Jobs/index.htm in the relevant field of the on-line application.

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date (03 September 2011) will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are short-listed will be contacted.

For more detailed information about UNDP Afghanistan please visit our website at www.undp.org.af

The vacancy announcement is open only for Afghan national(s) applicants

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply