UNDP Jobs - 39120- Consultancy - To Undertake Assessment of National

Consultancy - To Undertake Assessment of National Legal and Regulatory Framework for HIV and AIDS in Lesotho

Location :

Maseru, LESOTHO

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

30-Aug-2013

Application Deadline :

09-Aug-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 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

UNDP, on behalf of the Government of Lesotho, seeks to hire a local legal expert who will be required to participate in undertaking an assessment of Lesotho’s legal, regulatory and policy frameworks in order to identify and clarify key legal and human rights issues acting as barriers to the national response to HIV and AIDS, and to guide the development, implementation and enforcement of laws, regulations and policies that protect rights to and promote access to HIV and AIDS-related services. The purpose of the assessment is to review the legal and policy environment in Lesotho in the context of HIV and AIDS, for purposes of making recommendations for creating and strengthening an enabling environment that protects rights while promoting an effective national response to HIV and AIDS.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant with the provision of law, human rights and HIV technical support from an international consultant from the UNDP RSC-ESA should produce the following during the Review process:

An Inception Report and Work Plan
A Report of the Stakeholder Interviews / Surveys / Questionnaires / Focus Group Discussions

A Draft National Legal Review Report that:

Assesses the current legal and policy environment to respond to HIV and AIDS with a specific focus on issues and/or populations of priority concern such as:
Women, HIV and the Law; Children, Young people, HIV and the Law; Criminal law and HIV, and Access to Treatment;

Identifies strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the current legal and policy environment, including the extent to which the current environment complies with human rights obligations, addresses key issues and promotes universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support;
Makes recommendations for strengthening the legal and policy environment in Lesotho so as to ensure a response which complies with international, regional and national human rights obligations, addresses key human rights issues in the context of HIV and AIDS, including the rights of most-at-risk populations, promotes universal access, and balances public health and human rights imperatives;
A Consultative Workshop Report that sets out the outcome of the consultation with key stakeholders on the draft findings and recommendations;
A Final National Legal Review Report based on the outcome of the final consultative process.

The final Assessment process should also create mechanisms and processes to support further documents to ensure the uptake of recommendations made by the Assessment e.g. advocacy and action plans or draft legislation.

Competencies

Knowledge and understanding of law and human rights issues in the context of HIV and AIDS internationally, regionally and/or in Lesotho;
Knowledge and experience of assessing and developing legal and regulatory frameworks to respond to health, in particular HIV and AIDS;
Excellent knowledge of national legal and policy environment including policy making process in Lesotho;
Strong insight into legal processes and legal issues related to HIV and AIDS;
Strong research, communication and computer skills;
Excellent knowledge of social research methods and analysis;
Experience in working with public agencies, UN agencies, civil society and communities in Lesotho;
Familiarity with issues and linkages between HIV/AIDS, law, human rights and gender.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A Master’s Degree in Law (in particular, international, regional and/or national human rights law, and/or health and HIV law).

Experience:

Minimum of 7 years of national professional experience in research or practice of HIV law and human rights or health related laws;
Experience in conducting research, including developing interview and focus group discussion tools and conducting interviews as well as desk research;
Experience in drafting policy documents, and carrying out research and studies, analysis.

Language:

Fluent in English.

For full details and detailed Terms of Reference for this advertisement please go to: http://www.undp.org.ls/jobs/default.ph