UNDP Jobs - 96318- National Human Rights Specialist

National Human Rights Specialist

Location :

Beirut

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-Jan-21 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

70 working days over a period of 5 months

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

70 working days over a period of 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

The Lebanese Parliamentary Human Rights Commission has requested the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to develop the 2020-2024 National Action Plan for Human Rights in Lebanon (NAP).
The development and implementation of national action plans on human rights serve several important purposes. NAP should help strengthen national mechanisms, laws and policy frameworks for the promotion and protection of human rights. NAP also serves to underline that the promotion and protection of human rights is not only a matter of international law, but also a public policy objective that requires planning and resource allocations. Moreover, NAP is an opportunity to raise awareness of human
rights issues among government officials, security authorities, civil society organizations and the public. Experience shows that a plan’s effectiveness relies on factors including high-level support within government, a transparent and participatory consultation process, realistic prioritization and action-oriented planning, clear success criteria and strong participatory mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, and adequate commitment of resources. NAP is also an opportunity to promote linkages with other national programmes, notably the ongoing efforts in Lebanon towards the implementation of recommendations emanating from the third UPR cycle and the realization of the SDGs and the function on the National Human Rights Commission including the Committee on the Prevention of Torture (NHRC/NPM).
The 2014-2019 NAP was the first of its kind in Lebanon and was adopted following the call of the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action for States to draw up national action plans on human rights. The plan also responded to a recommendation to develop and implement such plan endorsed by the Government as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in 2010. Public and private authorities joined efforts with the aid of sectoral study experts to elaborate draft chapters, which were discussed through more than 70 workshops. The plan’s objectives targeted legislative, procedural, executive, judicial and social measures to promote and protect human rights in 21 priority areas. Several of the plan’s objectives were also reflected in the recommendations endorsed by the Government as part of the UPR review in 2016. Its implementation lied with relevant authorities including the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee and other relevant committees, the Council of Ministers and public administration, the judiciary, local administration, Lebanese and international civil society organizations, media organizations, and international organizations, each within its field of competence
The process of developing the plan was led by the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee in cooperation with OHCHR and UNDP, and in collaboration with other parliamentary committees, relevant ministries and administrations (including the Security Forces), judges, international agencies, experts and Lebanese civil society organizations working on human rights.

Duties and Responsibilities

In accordance with the above-mentioned objective of the assignment and under the guidance of the UNDP CTA, OHCHR adviser and the senior strategic adviser, the national human rights specialist will provide substantive support to the Parliamentary Human Committee in the preparation and development of the 2020-2024 NAP update. In this regard, he/she will:

In coordination with the senior strategic adviser, conduct a mapping of the implementation of the 2014-2019 NAP
Undertake and draft the narrative review and update of the 21 priority areas, including susbtantive recommendations on the contents and objeticves to serve as basis for the development of the 2020-2024 NAP update;
Identify priority areas to be added in the 2020-2024 NAP and develop their narrative sections, based on relevant consultations;
Provide suppport to the work of the NAP coordination committee, including by:
- Coordinating the holding of its meetings and identifying priority agenda items, susbtantive issues to be discussed;
- Providing advice on the progress and strategic orientation of the NAP development process;
- Conducting wide-ranging consultations with a wide-spectrum of stakeholders to collect relevant feedback and input for the 2020-2024 NAP;
- With the support of the Associate human rights officer, prepare minutes of the meetings and supporting the implementation of the decisions of the NAP coordination committee.
Provide support and participate in meetings of Thematic areas focus groups and NAP focus group, and ensure alignment of their work with the identified objectives and methodology for the development of the 2020-2024 NAP;
With the support of the Associate human rights officer, oversee the use of an E-platform to serve for the update of the 21 priority areas, the consolidation of inputs from stakeholders, and optimize the consultation process;
Review and consolidate in a comprehensive manner, and taking into account best practices and agreed upon methodology, input from a wide-range of stakeholders for the 2020-2024 NAP;
Draft the 2020-2024 NAP and relevant documentation, including the implementation plan/strategy, under the guidance of the senior strategic advisor and international consultant;
Participate in coodination meetings with UNDP/OHCHR to inform on progress and potential challenges;

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory; Fluency in French is desirable.
Excellent analytical and reporting skills;
Responds positively and efficiently to feedback;
Ability to handle a large volume of work in an effective and timely manner

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Knowledge of the UN preferable.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

A Doctorate degree in law, political science, human rights, social sciences, international relations or closely related discipline. A Master’s degree is acceptable but lower score will be attained

Professional Experience:

7 years of relevant experience in the field of human rights, public policy, programme evaluation;
Demonstrated experience partaking in participative processes, including in facilitating high level consultative workshops for Government, State Institutions and CSOs;
Demonstrated experience in conducting research in human rights and developing human rights documentation. Prior publications in the field are desirable;
Strong knowledge of Lebanon’s human rights context, including the NAP and UPR processes. Experience with one or both processes is an asset;
Strong knowledge of national stakeholders in the field of human rights (Government, Parliament, State institutions, and CSOs) and previous experience engaging with them;
Previous experience working with a UNDP, OHCHR or other UN agency is desirable.

How to Apply:

The consultancy is open for all national and international consultants who meet the selection criteria and propose a competitive fee. Interested consultants are requested to apply only through this UNDP jobs portal.
Submissions through any other media will not be considered.
The application must include all of the following documents:
1. P11
2. Annex 3 (Offerors Letter) and
3. Financial proposal

All files shall be submitted in one single document and uploaded as word or PDF file to the UNDP job site.
It has been observed that bidders don’t submit all requested documents and thus reducing their chance to be selected for a contract with UNDP. before you submit your offer please revise that the application is complete and comprises all documents.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.