Background

The underlying idea of the Project is strengthening the rule of law and access to justice for vulnerable groups of the population, especially in rural and remote areas, by enhancing capacities of free legal aid providers, the Ombudsperson office, and justice sector actors as well as by improving their cooperation with civil society and non-governmental organizations to protect and promote human rights effectively. Project activities will focus on promoting human rights among vulnerable groups of population by strengthening capacities of Ombudsperson office in Uzbekistan as well as CSO focused on provision of free legal aid. The provision of free legal aid by CSOs (as well as other free legal aid providers) aims to ensure accessibility of justice. When working with free legal aid providers, emphasis will be given to promoting human rights, youth, gender equality and women empowerment especially in rural areas. Project also aims to digitalize the provision of free legal aid by supporting development of free legal aid system that will increase transparency and accountability of involved players. This system (after its introduction and wide usage) will be used for conducting regular legal needs analyses of vulnerable groups of population. Results of the legal needs analyses will be used to develop proposals and suggestions to government on improving human rights protection in Uzbekistan. The developed proposals and suggestions will be conveyed to government via national partners of the project: a) Ministry of justice and b) Ombudsperson office in Uzbekistan. 

Therefore, Project takes a cross-sectoral approach among various human rights institutions and justice actors to strengthen the rule of law and human rights, building on current national priorities in the rule of law. 

The Project Key Outcome is (UNDP Output): “Access to justice in Uzbekistan is adequately observed and promoted, leading to an enhanced trust in the rule of law with a positive impact on poverty reduction and addressing inequalities”. It will be achieved through the following three outcomes and indicative activities:

  • Outcome 1. (UNDP Key Results Activity) Legal and institutional foundations for the provision of primary and secondary free legal aid are set/established in line with human rights standards;
  • Outcome 2. (UNDP Key Results Activity) Capacities of Ombudsperson's office in Uzbekistan strengthened to promote and protect human rights of vulnerable groups;
  • Outcome 3. (UNDP Key Results Activity) Capacities of the civil society enhanced to promote inclusive access to justice and human rights for all (esp. women, youth and people with disabilities).

The Project's Strategy is also aligned with Outcome 1 of the Uzbekistan UNSDCF for 2026-2030which states that 'By 2030, all people in Uzbekistan benefit from effective, inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance and evidence-based decision-making, which will enhance human rights protection, anti-corruption, well-being, peace and justice for all and reduce inequality within society'.

Project activities also correspond to CPD (2026-2030) Output 1.3: People have improved access to legal aid and benefited from enhanced rule of law, fair and strengthened social cohesion, and prevention and response to GBV.

The proposed Project will leverage UNDP's mandate and current engagement in the rule of law, governance and justice sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan and capitalize on progress, best practices and lessons learned generated under the 'Accelerate structural transformations for sustainable development' outcome of the UNDP Strategic Plan for Uzbekistan for 2026-2029.

UNDP is a gender-responsive organization, and gender equality is prioritized within all its implementations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The project envisages to hire Gender and Civil Society Promotion Associate, who will secure implementation of the Annual Plan of Activities; support gender mainstreaming in the project activities by reviewing/contributing to the technical TORs as adequate; monitor and evaluate the implementation of the LVG projects; conduct periodic monitoring visits to the project sites to ensure smooth implementation and sustainability of activities/results, ensure close coordination and strong information flow between the communications and knowledge management aspects of the project; participate in project technical working groups; deliver trainings to national partners, experts and communities.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Specialist, the Gender and Civil Society Promotion Associate will work closely with the project team, national partners and inter/national consultants and will be fully responsible for coordination of all relevant thematic and outreach activities across the three project components through providing sound technical expertise and oversight.

Overall tasks:

Ensures Gender activities of the project:

  • Analyzes the needs for gender mainstreaming in the rule of law and human rights issues, ensures that gender concerns will be brought to the forefront through: sensitization of official beneficiaries on the crucial role of women in the society and importance of their engagement in decision-making processes; engagement of women in capacity building activities of national stakeholders responsible for access to justice
  • Ensures gender inclusiveness in the rule of law activities. 
  • Ensures that men, women and people with disabilities and other traditionally marginalized groups are given due consideration during project implementation.
  • Mainstreams gender considerations and engagement of women in resilience building activities.
  • Adopts gender-responsive approaches for the design of the projects and activities.
  • Contributes to promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in project activities (gender mainstreaming) with ensuring availability of gender disaggregated data; ensure that gender analysis is part of every substantive analysis and report of the project.
  • Ensures the collection of lessons learned from gender mainstreaming activities undertaken by the project.
  • Contributes to drafting the Terms of Reference for and work with international and local consultants to be engaged for gender mainstreaming
  • Works closely with Gender Specialist and relevant staff of UNDP CO, consults with national partners to ensure timely and efficient implementation of the planned activities.
  • Plans and implements the work in accordance with the overall work-plan using both human and financial resources available in the most effective/efficient way and ensure compliance with UNDP and nationally set procedures.
  • Provides corresponding inputs to development of Annual Work Plan and Budget as well as Annual Plan of Activities for all 3 Outputs. 
  • Is responsible for smooth integration of the Gender Action Plan (GAP) with project activities where applicable. 
  • Provides gender sensitive and gender disaggregated inputs to reporting to UNDP.

Coordinate and supports M&E activities of the project:

  • Ensures a robust monitoring and evaluation system is in place for the LVG component.
  • Oversees routine data collection processes to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality, accurate, and verifiable data, and provide support to national monitoring of SDG indicators. 
  • Coordinates the preparation of periodic M&E reports, including donor reports, project progress reports, and evaluation summaries.
  • Identifies risks and challenges in program implementation and provides recommendations for mitigation.
  • Supports in preparing a monitoring plan of project activities in the field based on annual plans, and other relevant documents of the project.
  • Conducts monitoring visits to project sites (CSO offices, communities, etc.) to observe and record the progress of planned activities, so that the project results indicators can be adequately monitored.
  • Prepares monitoring reports and provides independent observation, identifies potential implementation risks in achieving the planned results, and proactively proposes potential solutions for decision making and inclusion/correction of planned project activities.
  • Provides assistance in planning and organizing the project’s terminal evaluation to be conducted by the team of national and international experts.
  • Contributes to elaboration of and ‘exit’ project strategy to make project outputs sustainable in the long-run
  • Ensure close coordination and strong information flow between the communications and knowledge management aspects of the project;

Ensures effective management of the Project implementation:

  • Provides support to project in implementing the annual work plans and ensure compliance with the milestones and delivery targets of the project;
  • Supports PS in project activities related to gender and civil society promotion to fulfill the outcomes and objectives as set out in the Project document and undertakes day-to-day responsibility for the satisfactory achievement and implementation of the related project outputs;
  • Designs, coordinates, and monitors the implementation of the Low Value Grants (LVG)/small grants program, supporting civil society organizations that provide free primary legal aid, including grant planning, partner coordination, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Collaborates with civil society organizations (CSOs) to identify their needs, capacities, coverage, specialization, educational needs, etc. 
  • Provides technical support in development and deployment of legal framework for cooperation between Ombudsperson's Office and civil society, women's movements and activists, and non-profit organizations;
  • Supports Ombudsperson's Office in Uzbekistan in organizing monitoring visits in accordance with developed methodologies and with participation of CSOs;
  • Coordinates activities related to assisting Ombudsperson's Office in Uzbekistan in effective dissemination of information on activities of Ombudsperson's Office in Uzbekistan and NHRI's reports including development of comprehensive communication plan with clear indications of CSO participation, gender equality and PwD related interventions;
  • Provides technical support in developing and promoting adoption of legislative framework of dialogue between CSO's and justice sector actors as well as in organizing annual dialogues/meetings between CSO's and justice sector actors to discuss the identified legal needs of population and access to justice gaps to promote legislative amendments in the area of access to justice;
  • Provides support to national partners in conducting legal awareness campaigns (upon request from project partners) for vulnerable groups (in cooperation with Ministry of Justice, NHRI, Youth Affairs Agency and the Mahalla Association) and population in rural areas to raise their awareness and understanding of rights to justice and on available legal aid providers and remedies in their closest location;
  • Ensures constant and systematic liaison with experts of Rule of Law Center (Finland) on the project activities related to women rights, rights of people with disabilities and CSO participation to obtain support and guidance needed for effective implementation of the related project activities, including but not limited to organization of events with participation of experts from Rule of Law Center (Finland);
  • Liaises with relevant stakeholders to obtain any support and guidance required for management and implementation of related project activities;
  • Provides inputs for annual reports, work plans and any other planning, monitoring documents required by the UNDP;
  • Participates in dissemination of information on project activities by supporting project staff in preparing briefs, memos, etc.
  • Under the guidance of the Project Specialist work in close collaboration with the Government counterparts, UNDP to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery;
  • Supports Project Specialist in monitoring implementation of project outputs for adopting corrective measures in project implementation, when necessary, to ensure timely delivery of required inputs and achievement of results;
  • Supports the project team in conducting advocacy and outreach activities, writing of success stories, press- releases, newspapers coverage, and other relevant PR campaigns;
  • Supports Project Specialist in maintaining project related information in corporate programmatic and financial management frameworks, up to date as well as in preparing and submitting in a timely manner, other programmatic, and ensure that the reports meet corporate quality standards;
  • Liaises with other UNDP projects to implement possible synergies;

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Gender and Civil Society Promotion Associate will work under the direct supervision of the Project Specialist. The Gender and Civil Society Promotion Associate will ensure delivery of outputs of the project related to women rights, gender, civil society organizations, etc., in accordance with annual work plan and annual plan of activities of the Project through performing the required duties and responsibilities. The Gender and Civil Society Promotion Associate will work in close collaboration with national partners, local and international consultants, projects, operations, CO Communication Analyst and Programme’s staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery and undertake day-to-day responsibility for operational and thematic support services for the satisfactory achievement of the related project deliverables.

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
  • Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business direction & strategy

  • Business Acumen:
    • Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome.
    • Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization.

Business Development 

  • Knowledge Generation:
    • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. 
    • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
    • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management

  • Monitoring & Evaluation:
    • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively;
    • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. 
    • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. 
    • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.
    • Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.
    • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

2030 Agenda: Peace 

  • Governance:
    • Civil society strengthening
  • Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights:
    • Access to Justice
    • Human rights and digitalization

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Secondary education is required, OR;
  • University degree (Bachelor’s degree) in gender studies, political science, international relations, legal studies, jurisprudence will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

  • Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the civil society promotion, women rights, gender issues, human rights protection, government, or related field is required.

Required Skills:

  • Proven ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource;
  • Proven understanding of human rights concept and women empowerment principles;
  • Strong analytical, writing, presentation, and communication skills/experience.

Desired Skills:

  • Previous experience with local and/or international CSOs is an advantage.
  • Proven /previous experience in gender, CSO and M&E, analysis, research and studies;
  • Proven experience in development of research papers and reports, publications and analytical notes;
  • Experience with UN/UNDP projects and/or other international organizations in similar position would be an asset;
  • Proven experience and knowledge of the country’s institutional framework and policies on civil society organizations, women rights, gender, NGO’s, human rights protection, access to justice, free legal aid would be desirable;
  • Initiative and strong leadership skills;
  • Result and client-orientations.
  • Previous experience with local and/or international CSOs is an advantage.

Required Language(s):

  • Fluency in English and Uzbek is required. 
  • Good command of Russian is desirable.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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